Well nothing is happening here today renovation wise. Which is just as well as I have picked up the same bug that went through the rest of the family. I’m lying on the couch while retro daddy tops up my lemonade. But I do also have an important job…………..choose a new dining setting. I thought we’d just use the one we had but it’s very dark with bench seats and retro daddy has ‘approved in principle’ a new setting. Here is my current table, it’s lovely but doesn’t really go with the light and bright hamptons theme out the back.
For me I want a table that is light in colour, traditional, long enough to seat 8-10, durable, definitely no fabric covered chairs as one meal with my guys and they’d be messy. I’m not asking for much am I. Oh it has to be under $2k and meet with retro daddy’s approval. And here lies my problem – it’s too big, too small, too dark, too white, too cheap, won’t last, the legs are funny and the I just don’t like it. Can you see what I’m working with. I’m so glad I was given free reign with the kitchen design or we’d still be disagreeing.
so here are a few of my favourite looks
available at Early Settler here
picture from here
picture from pinterest here
picture from pinterest here
So if you can steer me in the right direction it would be much appreciated!
For that price you may be able to get a really good second hand table and then afford great new modern chairs for a kind of eclectic mismatched feel. Another thought is to keep your table top, get new thinner legs to fit it and then buy new chairs. I hope you get just the right set anyway!
I think Recollections does a similar rustic table. The chairs you could get from Matt Blatt, the last two are similar to Ikea. The wicker looks scary, imagine trying to clean food out of those – my Mum has them so I know exactly what happens when we visit and the cushions end up in the washing machine every time.
Oh, whatever you do make sure the chairs and table height are going to work together (ie when you sit down you don’t want the table around your chest).
dxx
If your original table is good, can you have it sanded down and just varnish or paint it, then either paint the chairs or go for some new ones. Linda
Don’t know if it’s your style, but for size I love our Ikea Stornas table. We have it filling our dining as a 6 seater, but it can extend to an 8 or a 10 seater (we just turn it sideways so it extends into our family area).
We went the white bottom table and white chairs with the brown wooden top from Early Settler that seats 8 and love it, even if I do have to wipe down the tops of the chairs a bit from all the sticky fingers. Was definitely good value compared to so many others we wanted.
Whatever you do don’t get wicker chairs. I have them and they get full of crumbs and bits of rice etc. I have to tip them upside down and bang them and they are still never clean. Good luck!
How about finding a carpenter and having one made. Or have you looked at Shack. Such a lovely task you have.
I’d get the paintbrush out & either stain it a lighter colour or paint it, you could always stain the table top & paint the legs etc. That would save some money for some ther goodies!
I have to agree with Bron66, don’t get wicker. Way too hard to keep clean, crumbs and bits of food get in everywhere.
I noticed several of the tables appear to have narrow grooves between the lengths of timber – avoid them at all cost! Even without children, crumbs and spills etc. get in them, and are impossible to get out. I speak from experience!
Love the last two – very practical for larger families. I too am going through the kitchen reno but bought the 10 seater dining table two yrs ago waiting for this reno and its sitting stored in the garage!! Only got the base of the room laid today and can finally visualise the table and see if it really does fit. So, before you buy, make sure you measure measure measure! good luck!
i love the one you found from pinterest…with the white chairs
it is amaze-balls
merhaba..evinizin yeni hali çok güzel…kızlarda çok sevimliler.
I am on the very same hunt right now, with the same brief! Friends have warned me off anything with a “rustic” (not smooth) finish on the top as you need to regularly sit down with a toothpick to get the food out of the grain. They are both mothers of 3 year olds. Its hard because ‘rustic’ will hide dints and scratches but who needs more cleaning! And its hard to get 8 to 10 chairs for that price let alone a table. I have been searching ebay as they often sell in sets if your patient the right one will come along. Good luck.
Poor Corrie, no good to hear you’re unwell, hope you recover really soon.
Dining tables are a dilemma. Ours is big and round and bulky and all I dream of is having a long, streamline table… we really need it here in the terrace, as round just takes up so much room :o/
I wouldn’t even know where to start in guiding you, but do look forward to seeing your choice once it’s made :o) xo
yes you need help if you are sick!!! Avoid wicker and open grooves, eeek the trapped food, last 2 tables appeal to me, but I really like the look of white legs and table and wood top, or whitewashed tables. Go searching and if you are lucky enough to find an old second hand one with grooves, think about a large piece of glass on top which will be so easy to sterilize/clean and dress up with a runner/ cloth underneath! pluss mixmatched chairs look great too. I had a nanny who wrecked my lovely wooden table with that orange oil spray cleaner, it ate into and melted the finish! beware of that stuff!
I think the last two would be the most practical considering the wicker would be a mess to keep food out of with little ones.
My Grandma had a rattan dining table & chairs (altho’ not like the wrap around chairs in the pic) that my Grandfather made. While I think it is beautiful work, the rattan is scratchy! I like the table with the white chairs, and the chairs in the last one. lol
Good luck! Your kitchen is going to be fabulous!!
I haven’t read the other comments, but I think wicker may be tricky to clean with smalls. Plus it may date?
I realy like the last two pics, classic white chairs would look great.
Get well soon xxx
This post popped up in my blog reader yesterday – thought it would appeal to you! http://www.janegreen.com/index.php/2011/11/figless-manor-a-place-to-call-home/
How gorgeous are her pendant lights?!!!
There’s a place I often see advertised in magazines that has some nice dining tables – http://www.daregallery.com.au
avoid those rattan chairs! There is no way food would ever come out of there and if you think fabric covered would be bad – yikes
Be careful of the white plastic chairs with metal legs. A friend has them and every time my 4 and 6 yr old sit on them they tip over. Even when they are sitting still!
I have new Eames replica chairs. So easy with children to wipe down and really comfy.
We are currently building our house and I’ve blogging the stages as well. We actually bought all of our new appliances (and so much more) on grays online and eBay. We were able to buy smeg for a fraction of the price and We have saved thousands. More importantly our savvy spending enables us to use money on other items….maybe this is the key to increasing your dining table spending power. Freedom furniture also have some fantastic pieces at great prices. Ps love your blog corrie, big follower 😉