It finally warmed up enough this weekend that I could leave my house and start doing some of the things on my to-do list. I need to get some new things for the house, one of which is a new kitchen table and chairs. Our current set is 1 years old and is looking a little beat. What I want seems simple enough, dark wood, rectangular table with padded chairs. Can’t find it. Two problems, one - many of the tables have things in the middle - either on the table top or underneath. Not just a pedestal, but one had a drawer etc. The other is that many of them are counter height. I think those are interesting and might like them, but I’m not sure how my elderly relatives would deal with that for dinner.
Also, is formal dining room furniture completely gone??? Granted our dining room is a complete waste of space, but we have nice furniture in it. The two stores that I went to may have had a few token sets, but nothing formal. just a thought as I searched for a decent kitchen set.
Honestly, I’m in complete makeover mode at our house, but I can’t find the things I want. Frustrating.
So you’re looking for a kitchen table right - not dining room? How many do you want to seat? Many kitchens now have islands or counters with seating so not as many kitchen tables being purchased I’m guessing. Do you want something modern? Traditional? How about looking at local consignment shops?
I personally am one who likes to blend old with new. A great vintage wood table (not fancy) with newer modern chairs/stools. I am SO not formal in any shape or form! My dining room has a vintage table - a rectangular table in a golden pine. I bought leather look tall chairs (padded) with no arms to go around it. I like the look.
Our kitchen table is a mosaic table from Jordan. I love it. If you find a light colored wood table you like it would be easy to stain it a darker shade.
BTW, Saloom furniture is US-made - in NE. My kitchen table is made by them, except we opted for a granite top (display set from Schoenfeld, 40% off - what a deal!). It is gorgeous! Chair backs, legs, and padding fabric are all customizable, and the table I have is now 5 years old and still standing very strong
I did a lot of antique shopping when living in Western Mass. I still have my kitchen table (round, pedestal). After many years, I bought new chairs from Pottery Barn. My G/f thought it was time to change the table when I redid the kitchen, but I rather like mine. She has a glass table. My cousin has a great table with granite top.
There are lots of nice tables out there. Crate & Barrel has more modern slant than PB. My friend’s DD, a college student, went to City Furniture. They paid $600 for a wood rectangular table, with padded chairs. It is counter height, but was fine for me, and I’m vertically challenged. I was surprised at the quality.
Our last kitchen table was from Ikea. Haven’t had an eat-in kitchen for a long time, but they have some interesting designs at good prices. We still have the table but it’s not in the kitchen; had it for over 20 years and it still looks good.
My kitchen table and chairs are made by Bermex. I just looked on their site and a dark rectangular table with padded chairs popped right up. Its solid wood furniture, with many options you can choose from. It’s either made in the US or Canada, I can’t remember.
I wax the table when I think of it, so every couple of years perhaps? Not sure how often I am supposed to wax it and the last time was after I spilled nail polish remover on it. (A warm iron pressed through a tea towel solved that crisis.)
Six Windsor chairs fit around it comfortably. The chairs have not held up quite as well—many scratches but still completely intact. They were also from Eldred Wheeler.
I have also been on a recent decorating kick. I had not purchased an upholstered piece in ten years and was shocked at how much styles have changed. Everything is made up in solid fabrics, with narrow, tall arms on sofas, dimensions are huge, and lots of sectionals. DR sets are much more contemporary with larger chairs with full fabric backs & seats, undoubtedly more comfortable than the ribbon back chairs I have in my DR. A lot more mirrored surfaces and metallics, even metallic threads in Stark carpets.
I wonder what happened to everything that people had before they purchased these new looks? Perhaps a consignment shop or antique mall would offer good prices on traditional furniture?
Bookworm…I also have an old oak pedestal round table in my kitchen. The newest chairs (which are now about 12 years old) are hand crafted oak from North Carolina. I love them. The table is well over 100 years old. I can’t imagine ever replacing it.
