Table Design Kit

Let’s take a look at one of the most basic table set ups: a dining room. This is a room that’s all about one thing, the dining table. So let’s work through how to use the kit for this one.

First, we’re going to pick samples. With the dark brown floors, I’d want to see some options for darker, warm finishes, especially with a large bright rug to help give some separation. I’d probably go with a blackened walnut, natural walnut, espresso oak, and maybe espresso maple. That said, there would be a lot of different ways you could go with this. A brighter option like natural maple or oak could also be a great option, I just like a darker wood for this space.

Now once I receive the kit I’ll take a look at these 4 in the space, and choose one of them I like best. I’m going to go with natural walnut, but again, a lot of this comes down to personal preference.

Next up we’re going to grab the design card, and draw out the space. A rough floorplan is usually best. So I’ll draw in the room, mark the doors, and add in the credenza in the corner. Those are really the important things in the room. Then with the tape measure I’ll measure the size of the room, and mark that on the sheet. The last step I’ll do here is add my table in. I’m thinking something like this. If I knew what size I wanted it I would add that in, but I don’t really. I do know that I want 10 people to sit at the table though, so I’ll add that in.

Next I’ll take some pictures to send along with my design card. I really like this credenza, so I’ll include a picture of that. I also want to show off what else is in the room, like this photo of a monkey. I don’t know if that really helps, but I’ll include it. I’ll also grab a picture of this coffee table in the other room, I really like the way it looks.

Now I scan the QR code on the instructions, or the one on the design card, or box, any QR code you find really. Or just scroll up on this page, and click the button to send all my info in. I’ll fill in the form, including all the pictures I took, and saying that I need a table in the dining room to seat 10 people.

The next step is easy, I just wait for a couple days. The design team at Loewen Design Studios will send me a couple of ideas for a table for my space. They might also ask a couple questions about what I sent it, like is it 10 people for everyday use, or 10 people on special occasions? To which I would say this table pretty much only gets used with at least 10 people, maybe as maybe as 14.

Once I’ve gotten some suggestions, I can ask some questions of my own, and make some tweaks if I’d like their ideas. Then I’ll have a plan for a table. I can order it, and start planning my first event for my new dining room.

Okay, how do I use the Design Kit for an open space like an open concept dining area or a great room? Well that’s a great question. Let’s take a look at an example. (and there’s a video at the bottom of this section if you prefer that)

The samples are going to be the same process as the dining room space above, in case you didn’t check that one out, basically pick finishes you think will look nice in your space. Usually best to choose some similar finishes to what you’re looking for. Then get them into your lighting, and see what excites you!

So let’s jump right into the design card. An open space can be a little more complicated. You’ll want to mark down whatever you think is most important in the area. If there are walls near by you will want to include those, if there are doors or regular walk ways you’ll want to note those as well. Large furniture items can be good to write down too.

For this space, I have these 2 walls making an “L” shape, with this little wall here, making a bit of a defined space, so I’ll want to mark those walls in. The other end of the space is a little free, but this is a main walkway through the house, so I’ll want to mark that. I’ll just do arrows to show the different ways people walk. I’m doing these in red, just to help them show up for the example, you can do it all in pencil, or however you’d like. That’s what I think is important here. Oh, and I want the table somewhere in the middle of the space I drew.

For some pictures to go along, first I’ll grab a couple of the space here. This wallpaper is an important part of the space. So is this cove on the ceiling. One of the things I love about this space is the large windows overlooking a forest, so I’ll take a picture of the trees.

Then I’ll scan the QR code and send all those pictures in with the form. I’ll also add in that it would be great if the table could sit 6-8 people comfortably, and if we could squeeze in 10 or maybe even 12 that would be great. We’re really excited to be able to host some games nights with all our friends here. And I’ll include that we would love to have the table in time for Thanksgiving, we’re planning on hosting the family here.

Then I’ll wait a couple days, and see what suggestions the design team has for me. They sent a couple of options, and explained what makes each one good. I really love the bookmatch option, because it includes the nature we have out the window. I also really like the other option of a racetrack table that would allow for easy movement around the table. So we decided to combine both of those, and now here we are, with a wonderful table in time for Thanksgiving! Now I just need to learn how to cook a turkey.

We work with a lot of people who are designing a table to go with their banquette. Perhaps you are too. Here’s how I use this design kit to figure out the right table to pair with my banquette.

As with the other examples, I would start with picking some samples that I’d like to see in my space. Often people will pick similar colors in different types of wood, or a set of cool tones or warm tones in the same wood, or whatever catches their eye.

Then I’ll move on to the design card. A seating area with a banquette is usually pretty defined - either by traffic patterns, walls, or the banquette (built in seating). So I would draw in anything that is fixed such as walls or banquettes. Next, since this is in a high traffic area, I’ll note that using arrows to show the general direction that people walk by. It’s helpful to add in measurements of the walls and banquette.

With a banquette it is helpful to share what the seating will be on all sides of the table. I’ll draw that in, but could make a note when I share the drawing instead. Once these key pieces are drawn in, I’ll add the table into the drawing.

To give a sense of my style, I’ll include some photos of my kitchen, cabinets and countertops, maybe my favorite dishes, or some other decorative piece I really like - even something that doesn’t live in the kitchen.

Now that I’ve got the photos, it’s time to share them. To do that, I’ll scan the QR code, go to the webpage, and open the form to upload the photos and share some of what I want the table for.

Within the next couple of days I’ll hear from the Loewen design team with some ideas for my space. (if they have questions before then, they’ll check in about that too) With a banquette, usually a racetrack oval is a good shape, or a rectangle with rounded corners. Either way, a pedestal base is probably the sort of thing that will suit well to slide in and out easily. But all of this depends of course on the space.