Large table "walk or not walk": That has been the guideline in recent years as far as dining rooms are concerned (provided that space allows it, obviously). Actually, it is a logical consequence, since if we used to lie on the sofa to watch television, now we do it all through the laptop, tablet or smartphone, which we use both at work and at leisure. The table of dining room allows us work, study, eat, get together, do activities with the children ... hence we need to have a large area that helps to make several of these tasks compatible at the same time.
In these cases it is important that the table is robust and enduring the thrusts of day-to-day life, that it adapts easily to any type of chair when seating for many diners needs to be added, and has enough character to maintain its visual power even when completely free of accessories. Hence, the example has been taken from the old monastic tables of the convents, true conclaves where the community met to determine the tasks, mark the hierarchies and impose the norms. The dining table thus becomes a kind of wooden totem that determines the space and functions of the home.
A company that has known how to take advantage of the virtues of convent tables is the German firm E15, whose collection in different wood finishes, numerous sizes and styles is becoming more and more popular. Their tables stand out for the thickness of the envelope, the richness of the veins natural and impeccable simplicity in all its formats. And above all they fit equally in any decorative environment: Minimalist, romantic, classic, vintage, Nordic, eclectic ...
One of my favorite architects, the British John Pawson, has always been in favor of giving prominence to the dining table by posing it as single support surface throughout the house, thus centralizing the operation and communication of all household members. In his projects you can breathe that conventual air to which we allude: Empty atmospheres of Zen spirit, chosen furniture of concise design and natural materials, smooth and clear walls, wide openings to take advantage of daylight and give continuity to the space ... In short, create volumes based on the value of the invisible.
He himself personally designs the tables that preside over the main room, in many cases as unique and exceptionally commercially produced pieces (the Italian firm Driade has one in its catalog): They are furniture sculptural angular shapes Made of solid wood, with a cantilevered top to take advantage of all its sides and harmonic proportions despite its large size, since even though they are long, they are usually quite narrow. In the image you can see how the lines of the table coincide with those marked by the floor itself, a detail that affects the idea that no superfluous element should interfere with the continuity and fluidity of the space.
More information - Decorate the dining room with different chairs
Sources - Apartment Therapy, home ideas, Designhole online, Daily Icon, Remodeler
the one I like the most is the one with the wooden floor and the high-back armchair