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Taking it to the Blog

I have a itch for something new. Three years ago we got this little kitchen table for a great Walmart low price. I think it is cute. It has been fine, but it is not very forgiving of a 3 and 6 year old who love to paint, color and seem to get more food on the floor and table than their mouths. When I clean the table, my rag or towel is black. I should have gotten glass put on top of it, but the glass cost more than the table. That is the truth.
I am asking for your opinion.
I found this Paula Deen Gathering table that I LOVE!!!!!!!!!! The problem?
(It is not as white as it looks in this picture). It is a glazed antique white. It is the exact same color as all our molding and bead board. (PERFECT) BUT......everything I have in the kitchen is black or dark. I don't won't the table to look like a big bright marshmallow in the midst of a warm colored house. That is problem number 1.
Problem number 2. This table is BIG, HUGE. We would buy it and then have to store the leaf in our garage. (a waste) I also measured the size with the chairs pushed in and it works but I am afraid that a visiting guest or one of us could get pinned to the wall it is so tight.
I found another table and chairs that I REALLY REALLY like. Here is the chair. It is by Broyhill. It comes in 9 different colors. But the only color I really like is the black. It comes in several wood finishes and also yellow, sage and red. The table can seat six when the leaf is in. That is always a good thing. I love that I could tie cute cushions in the seats.
This table is fine, but we want something a little bigger and a lot more sturdy and durable.

Your thoughts are welcomed!!!!!!!!

Comments

1 said…
I say, just keep what you have an buy cute pillows. The white one doesn't sound like it will feel good to you since it's too big and doesn't match so you'd most likely go with the new black one. It will probably wear off exactly like the one you already have does. If it were me, I'd add pillows and possibly get a piece of glass and add pictures or fabric underneath the glass.
Christi said…
I'd keep what you have and do cushions and glass or maybe plexi glass if they can do it. Maybe at age 10 and 7, a new table will be found. I love your table. We have a table from right before I had our son, it's solid wood but seen better days. I should just have it restored as it can last more than 12 years but...
Sarah Bryant said…
Get the white table, and use black (or a pattern with black) placemats and chair cushions to pull in the black from your kitchen. That way it'd blend with the trimwork and your kitchen.
You could also angle the larger one as a diamond so no one would get pinched in (I'm thinking of Fuller on Home Alone when the milk spills).
Good luck!
Rhonda said…
I would go with the red! It would be an unexpected punch of color that would be a great accent for what you already have - not near as stark as the beautiful white one that you found. I think you might be disappointed if you bought another black one. The Broyhill brand will be better quality than the walmart one, so I would be very surprised if after cleaning, your rag was red ;)
rae said…
I would get the Broyhill in RED! I think it would look awesome! I love color!
I think the white table would look great against your white wainscoting. And you could add darker accents like pillows, placemats, and a large black vase in the center of the table, maybe some dark colored wicker baskets at the bottom shelves of the table to hold the girl's art supplies. and you could temporarily move your old table out of the way and make the new table's measurements and placement on the floor with tape to see if it will fit. If it fits I think it would be a great change!!
Anonymous said…
I would go with the red. What about covering the table with oilcloth when the kids do crafts. It's waterproof and wipes down. You can buy it online, but make sure it is the original oilcloth and not an imitation.
Angie said…
In my nook area I have a bronze iron table that I love! It breaks up the contrast I think. I like the one you have now but seriously be glad you didn't do glass top. It is a headache to keep clean and always looks like it has smudges:/.
Re-do the surface of the table in a natural wood finish. You can do the same thing with the seats of the chairs. That way the black stablizes the piece but you have a lighter wood accent.
Jodi said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jodi said…
Here is the Paula table in a darker finish:
http://www.furniturehoo.com/paula-deen-kitchen-gathering-table-tobacco-finish-p-6449.html
I think it's beautiful!
Nancy said…
Aren't decisions like this hard? I consigned our old table & bought a new table with a cool funky bench to go with it....the kids LOVE the bench & instead of having chairs all around, I think it allows more people to sit @ the table.
Lots of options, but I think your decision will pop out at you when you find what you really love.
Good Luck!
Amy Thomas said…
I would not do white if I were you. I think darker furniture would look better especially with all the white in your walls and trim.

We have chairs that look almost exactly like the black ones you posted. I think that style is called Napoleon. We couldn't find an exact table and chair set we liked, so we went to an unfinished furniture place and found exactly what we were looking for b/c we could pick the chairs and table separately. We stained our table a more natural wood looking color and painted the chairs black, and it looks great in our kitchen. I also like the red idea. Our kitchen has white cabinets and black granite countertops, and I have tons of red accent pieces.

Good luck! Make sure you post your updated kitchen so we will know what you decided to go with!
Michelle said…
Does the Paula Deen set have cloth seats? If so, just say NO. I have had several friends make that mistake and they all said that they will be able to keep them clean. It really becomes a never ending chore with kiddos. I love the red idea too that the others have mentioned!
Stacey said…
I think the white would get washed out with your beadboard so close to it. So, I am with those that are saying go for the red! You have little pops of red throughout your kitchen so it would go beautifully. Good luck!
vsk said…
I think a rectangle shape would work better in that space. Maybe something that seats 6? I agree with everyone that a darker finish would look best.
Amy said…
Hi Laurie:

I've never posted before but do enjoy reading about you and your sweet girls. I have a gathering table and LOVE it however, my kids are older than yours. With the taller chairs, you may be concerned with them falling out of the chairs. My boys would sit with their feet under them sometimes and I'd worry that they would fall from the tall chairs. Just a thought. Have a great day. AMY
Alyssa said…
Well, I don't think the white table would look right, and with little girls, I wouldn't go spending money on a new table. If you do, make sure it has a good, thick coat of polyurethane. We bought our dining set 4 years ago and it was the new style of finish that is matte and EVERY little thing screws it up- plates, pencils, chairs bumping it. It's completely ruined already just from normal use. I'd just get some new, cute cushions and make it last until the girls are a bit bigger.
Karin said…
I have a round table which I LOVE. It seats six without a leaf. However, I second the warning about fabric covered chairs. My kids are 8 and 10 and I have to recover the seat cushions every few months. It drives me crazy.

Have you looked at an unfinished wood furniture store? You might be able to find a style similar to the Paula Deen table (except a little smaller) and then choose wood chairs. You could have the top finished in a wood tone and the base of the table painted to match your off white trim or even red or black. Maybe use cushions in a color that matches the color you paint the table base.

Have you thought about Craigslist? Painting furniture yourself is really very easy. I'm not crafty at all and I can do it. I have bought so many tables on Craigslist- really good brands that I would never pay full price for. We move a lot in the military and I always need a different size table for each new house. Its worth a look: http://fayar.craigslist.org/fuo/2788323585.html I saw several other tables that might work or at least work until the girls are older. Just a thought.
April Davidson said…
This comment has been removed by the author.
April Davidson said…
Laurie, I love reading your blog you are absolutely hilarious! You do have warmer colors in your house, have you thought about a natural wood table. I think you might want something more rustic looking with reclaimed wood or an antiqued finish. Check Etsy!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TheWoodworkMan?ref=seller_info

I think this link might work or you could find something similar. All you would have to do is find some Pier 1 chairs to go with it.

Let us know what you decide.
Jill said…
I would buy the red table. My Mom has the coolest red table in her dining room and has a huge black cabinet in the same room and it looks so cute together. OR buy a piece of glass for the table you already have. I love the Paula Deen furniture...I've seen a lot of it in person and it's so cute and well-made, but it sounds like it would be too large for your space. Can't wait to see what you do!
I think red would look great! And it would go great with your wall paint. If you went with red, the only thing I would change is your window treatment to something a little more bold with red. I dont know, I always buy black furniture. I love it;)
T, C, and E said…
I have a beautiful white table with black chairs. I love the mix! I think it would work well in your room! Then, you can add a punch of color with accessories. :)
I think you will be unhappy with a table that is too large for the space, ie, the Paula Deen table, if indeed it is too big. I personally LOVE what you have and if you really feel like you need an upgrade, I would go with the dark broyhill that you picked out. Gorgeous! Sometimes I get all "Dave Ramsey" and decide to just stick with what I've got ;)
Kim said…
I really like the Gathering Table! Good choice! I say go with that. I like the contrast with the black accents you have in your kitchen. I'm big on "pops of color" but I'd probably shy away from a red table. Only because its a big purchase and I try to stay with neutral for big pieces then throw in color with accent pieces that are cheaper.
With all that said, I'm sure whatever you decide will be beautiful!
MissBrightside said…
I have a long, rectangular farm table that is in a natural finish with black chairs. I bought them as a set, but they are meant to look "mismatched."
Maybe you could just seal the top of the table if you like it and want to keep it. OR, you could strip the table and paint/varnish it any color you'd like :O)
texascrow said…
Chairs with fabric do not go well with children. You will regret the purchase later. Glass top would always be smudged and never looked clean. I personally would go with a pop of color. Good luck!!!
dj said…
I also have a small black breakfast room table. It was originally a light natural color and I re-painted it with Minwax black and it has never rubbed off. Although, it has chipped some since having two little girls. I'm just going with the "distressed" look for now! I also think red would look terrific. I painted our little china cabinet red to contrast with the black table/chairs and have the seats covered in red/black fabric.

On another note....I have been on a two-year quest for a slightly larger table since this one doesn't comfortably accommodate the six chairs that came with it. Guess where I have spotted the perfect table??? Sheffield's Antiques in Collierville! :-) Sorry to ramble!

Show us what you come up with!!!
Sara said…
We actually have a table in our breakfast nook area that is almost to big, but we make it work. We do store the leafs, but could use them if needed.

One thing I try to do when buying furniture is make sure it would be usable in other houses in case we move or even in the same house but with different decor and paint colors in case you decide to change things up!

Personally I a very fearful of whites and off whites in furniture! Ha!
Johanne said…
I would go with the dark Broyhill one but thats just me. I love the dark wood in your kitchen now :) Can't wait to see what you choose to do. Have fun :)
Megan said…
I think I would go with the Broyhill one, based on the size and fit, and then I would put cushions on the chairs like you suggested! :)
Shannon said…
Personally I love mixing woods and finishes. I don't like everything to be be matchy matchy. But the size of the glazed one does sound like it could be an issue. I would get the other one you like in a fun color or black. You could always do fun bright cushions on the black chairs if you didn't want to do a fun color of the whole set. Glass top with kids equals nightmare in my mind. Haha! :) You would be cleaning that glass top all day. All that to say, if the size of the white one is not an issue, go for that one! Since it is glazed an antiqued it will not be too bright.

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