We are lucky to be able to sit down for a couple of meals a day together, the proximity of work, creche, Montessori, and Rugby Club too I suppose, make this possible.
Our kitchen table is wonderful, solid oak, round, 5 feet (150cm) In diameter it seats 8 people and 12/14 at a push when extended. It is surrounded by windows so the sun shines on it for most of the day. I don't use a cloth to protect it. It is real wood and has taken its punishing life well, with only small scars which enhance it's good looks, and I didn't pay for an oak table to look at a plastic table cloth.
Day to day the four of us only use half of it. The hound lies under the other half, the top of this half was covered in newspapers, kids drawings and other paper - Not any more! 2 radiators that flank the table have been pressed into use.
Using some colourful fabric and those racks that go on the radiator to dry socks and undies (less than 3 euro in a hardware shop) I made two "magazine racks", one for the kids drawings and one for the newspapers and magazines. The kitchen table has been a clutter free zone since they were finished.
Now, if I could just solve the clutter gathered at the end of the work top...
How I made it:
They are basically a hammock, made with a length of material as wide as the rack and twice as long as you need the hammock to be, this means the pattern will be on the inside as well and as it's simply a circle it can be removed by taking the rack of the radiator and pulling it over the end.
Press and double hem the sides of the material and then sew the right sides together along the short edge. Turn it inside out, you will have a loop of material put it over the end of your rack and slide whatever's annoying you inside.
You may need a soft measuring tape and a second pair of hands to see how long your hammock needs to be. Hold the end of the tape against one rail, loop it underneath the items you want to keep in it as if the hammock was already there and bring the tape up to the other rail, double this measurement for the length of your fabric.
If you are completely confused and want to make one, leave a comment and I'll do my best to clear the volcanic ash left by this last paragraph!
hi.
how did you find this with the radiator turned on over winter??/ does the heat affect the books/papers??
Posted by: dolphinmama | 01/21/2011 at 10:03 AM
The hound lies under the other half, the top of this half was covered in newspapers, kids drawings and other paper
Posted by: SizeGenetics | 07/24/2011 at 07:15 PM
ne way to cut down on cost is to make your own Magazine Racks. It is also recommended for new and first time enthusiasts to stick to a Magazine Racks kit.
Posted by: balers | 08/12/2011 at 07:54 AM