Château du Plessis

House Guide: Dining Room

The Dining Room is well suited for special occasions, formal dinners and lunches. For breakfast and informal meals, the Salon d’Été (which will sit six comfortably), or the Kitchen (which seats four) maybe more appropriate.  Weather permitting, any meal is delightful, al fresco, on the shaded Terrace.  The dining room table sits eight comfortably with the table fully extended. 

From the Entry Hall, one enters the Dining Room through the double door. The other access is from the kitchen through the rear entry Sas (hall).

• Lights
• Windows, Doors & Curtains
• Dishware & Flatware
• Linens

Lights

Since there are perhaps a few too many switches scattered around the room, the following is a list of the switches locations as well as their purpose:
Between the entry hall and the dining room.  This switch is a dimmer switch operating the chandelier.
Next to the French doors (on the left side as you enter the room, next to the niche).  The top switch is a dimmer operating the sconces.  The lower switch operates the spot lights in the niches.
Next to the kitchen door.  The top switch is a dimmer operating the three sconces.  The lower switch, also a dimmer, operates the chandelier.
Timer switch on “lamp”.  The lamp on the buffet is on a timer to provide convenient path of way lighting (6:45 AM to 8 AM and 8 PM to 11:30 PM). To turn the light "off" simply turn off the switch on the cord.

Windows, Doors, Curtains & Shutters

Windows and French doors open toward the inside in France.  This requires some thought and care when operating the windows and doors.  Before opening the windows, the drapes must be opened.  Before closing the screens, the window must be opened.  Before opening or closing the shutters the windows must be open.  Sounds confusing?  Well it is, but you will rapidly get the hang of it.
In summer time, we often open the windows (with the screen closed) and even the French doors (which do not have a screen) when it is really warm.  The windows should be closed during rain falls.  The French doors should be closed as well.  We always lower the screen when the window is opened.  At night you can close the shutters, but it is not necessary (we never do). 
French Doors:  The French doors lock with three points.  To lock the doors, first lift the door handle and make sure that all three points are securely caught.  Then lock with the key.  To open the doors, first unlock and open the right hand door.  Then a tall person needs to disengage the upper pin of the fixed door and the lower pin.  The door will now swing open.  Remember to roll up the shades and open the drapes before opening the doors.
Windows:  To open the windows simply rotate the handle and pull open. Remember to open the drapes before opening the doors. Remember to open the screens before closing the windows.
Drapes:  To let the light in, open the curtains about halfway and gather the curtains behind the tie back.
Screens:  The sliding window screen (“moustiquaire”) is nothing but a kind of outdoor roll down shade.  They are operated by a spring loaded pull in the middle of the window.  To close the shade, open the windows (see above) and pull the cord down.  To lock the screens down push the little white plates on both sides all the way down and lock by pushing the little switches toward the frame.  Make sure the screen is securely locked before releasing the cord (the spring is pretty strong and the screen will fly open and stop with a loud crash, perhaps tearing or breaking if you let go of the cord).  To raise the screen, grab the cord, and push inward the 2 little white locks at the bottom.  Slowly raise the shade holding the cord until it is fully raised (the spring is pretty strong and the screen will fly open and stop with a loud crash, perhaps tearing or breaking if you let go of the cord). 
IMPORTANT:  Before opening or closing the window or the French door, make sure that the screen is fully raised and the curtains drawn opened as well.
Shutters: The shutters provide security and privacy. There is no need to close the shutters during your stay. However, you are welcome to do so if you wish and are ready to go through the necessary few steps. To close the shutters, first roll-up the shades and open the curtains. Then unlock and open the right hand door. Then a tall person needs to disengage the upper pin of the fixed door and the lower pin. The door will now swing open. To close the shutters, first push up the large sliding lock on each side. Then fold the shutters carefully so that they fit snugly inside the upper steel semi-circle. Then, pull into position so that the sliding locks fit easily into the locked position. You can now close the doors. First lock the fixed (left) side. Make sure the upper and lower pins are securely in. Then close the right hand side. Now, push tightly before raising the handle to make sure that the lower AND upper locks are firmly in. You need to put some pressure on the door at about eye level, for the upper pin to fit into its slot as you lift the handle. If it looks like it is not engaged, please try again. Then you can lock the door with the key. To open the shutters you simply reverse the procedure. Well, that was easy, was’t it?
Double Doors:  The double doors to the entry hall can be closed and locked from the living room side.  They can only be pushed close from the hallway side; there is no locking or closing device from this side.

Dishware & Flatware

The flatware for the dining room is located in the two drawers of the buffet.  There are two sets, one silver and one stainless steel.  There is a complete brass set in the teak box in the lower section of the buffet.  We suggest you only use this set for special occasions.  Additional serving pieces are in the drawers of the two consoles in front of the niches. 
All dishware for the dining room is in the kitchen.  In the lower sections of the buffet and of the hutch, there are a few serving pieces.
Candles and a lighter for the candles are in the drawers of the console in front of the niche of the left side.  Be sure to use drip less candles.  (Note; not all candles fit snuggly in the candlesticks; use bits of papers as necessary to insure a snug fit and prevent drips).  Please, do not leave lit candles unattended.

Linen

There are two or more sets of tablecloths for the dining room.  One table cloth is on the table, the other one, as well as a few placemats, are in the lower section of the buffet or of the hutch.  Napkins for both sets are in the lower section of the buffet as well. 

We welcome your comments on how we can make it more comfortable or enjoyable.  Feel free to comment on these instructions if anything is unclear or incomplete (or unnecessary for that matter).