Taking Stock
You don’t know what you need if you don’t know what you have. This may be stating the obvious, but in storage-challenged spaces it is often difficult to have a full appreciation of all of the things you can utilize to transform your home into a welcome destination for your guests. The point is not for you to break the bank on All-Clad and Frette linens, but to enable you to enhance what you have- whether it is still in a box under your bed or maybe just needs a little embellishing.
We all have different comfort levels; a good starting point is to determine whether you feel comfortable in your own home. Where do you eat, sleep, or watch TV? If the answer to all three is “a futon” the slope of the mountain may be steep- if you have carved out different places for these activities it will be a bit less painful. This brings me to another point. There comes a time in every New Yorker’s life when then need to embrace the “grown-up apartment” in other words – lose the futon. This ingenious invention of multiple-use, folding furniture was fine when you never knew who you might find there on any given morning- but now that you are exercising a little more discretion- buy a couch.
While we are on the subject of buying, there are a few basics that every entertaining home must have, or at minimum pieces that can perform double-duty, which is often a necessity, particularly when many of us live in one room. The following is based on the assumption that even in the coziest of nests you should be able to entertain four people (including yourself). You are ultimately the one that needs to feel comfortable with your number so adjust appropriately.
The Comfort Zone
In order to create your zone, at minimum you will need a couch or two comfortable arm chairs. Investing in upholstered furniture is definitely a commitment, if you have the space I recommend taking the plunge and investing in a couch. This is the one piece of furniture that is guaranteed to get a lot of use so don’t skimp - buy the best you can afford. If you have a lot of guests, or just prefer spreading out and watching Saturday morning cartoons, go for the sleeper-sofa, anyone who helps you move will curse you but at least they will have a place to sleep. A well-made sofa, if properly cared for, can last for decades. Ask the store to Scotch guard for you, if this is not an option do it yourself, just spot test first. To protect your investment have it cleaned every two years, once a year remove the back and seat cushion covers (be sure to purchase your couch with this feature) and take to your dry cleaner. If you are compulsive like me- you will keep a throw blanket folded on your couch and spread it our before you sprawl out. I do not recommend you act like a crazy neurotic and insist that your guests sit on said throw as well. I have employed the “self-throw,” regular cleaning policy and am still enjoying the same ivory sofa over a decade later.
When entertaining you will need a table with at least two chairs and hopefully another one or two that can be pulled from other rooms. On a recent trip to Chicago I found a great round table in a little antique shop with two leaves. While these leaves have yet to be employed and are currently stored under my bed I have dreams of there future use. If your space is tight, a drop leaf may be perfect. Find what works for your space.
Much to my husband’s chagrin, I insist on at least one weekly dinner (typically Sunday) when we turn off the TV, light the candles at eat at the table. I turn on the “chill playlist” on our iPod docking station and all of a sudden there is no place I would rather be. Sometimes there is nothing better than letting the stress of the day dissipate over a leisurely dinner in the warmth of your own home. Especially when since you cooked someone else does the dishes.
Taking Stock
Equipping a New York Kitchen (in two levels)
Stocking the Pantry