How Can This Decision Be So Difficult?
I know I have a few irons in the fire right now — the front porch, the side studio steps, the storage room. But in addition to those, I’ve been searching for the perfect dining table for months now because I want to have that on hand when I’m ready to start working on the room. And if you’ll remember, finishing the dining area is on my list of home goals for this year.
The search isn’t going well. One problem is that I have no idea what I want. I do know that I would like a table with a leaf or two that can sit up to eight people. But other than that, I have no idea. I’ve been through a few dining tables in the past, and none of them felt like “me“. So I seem to know what I don’t like. I can pick that out pretty easily. I just can’t seem to narrow down what I do like.
I’ve looked at new tables and Facebook Marketplace tables. I’ve looked online and in person. Nothing seems to appeal to me, so I have no idea what I’m looking for. I looked back at some of my old blog posts, and I had to laugh at how many dining tables I’ve been through at this house. And I’ve never really liked any of them.
Soon after we moved into this house, I bought this old oak pedestal table…
And then I cerused the top and painted the base.
I liked how that turned out, and I was very proud of that cerused top. But that table is most definitely not my style. At all. I kind of knew that back then when I bought it, but I most certainly know that now.
Next, I bought this secondhand table. It seemed unique and interesting to me.
And then the next year, during my year of insanity when I tried to turn the living room into a dining room, I got this steal of a deal. I got the table with a leaf and eight chairs for $51.
It was a great price for that, but I did not like the base/legs on this table at all.
So I ended up remaking the table into a farmhouse-style table. (You can read how I did that here.)
Of all of the tables above, that’s the one that appeals to me the most because of the turned legs. Y’all know how I fell about turned wood legs. But I still feel kind of meh about it.
Obviously, I knew back then that a farmhouse table, while it had pretty turned legs, still wasn’t quite what I wanted because I also got this table as a possibility for the living room-turned-dining room attempt.
I look at that now and there’s no way I would ever give that table a second look if I saw it on Facebook Marketplace. That table is so NOT me today.
When I finally regained my senses and stopped trying to turn the living room into a dining room, I finally got the breakfast room finished and ended up using the round table with the really large base. (You can see the breakfast room before and after here.) But that huge base was always a problem and got in the way of chair placement, feet placement, etc. That base was a beast to work around.
As far as I can remember, that’s it. Those are all of the stray dining tables I’ve dragged into our house over the years and tried to resuscitate and use. And I haven’t really loved a single one of them. It’s just so strange to me that with almost everything else, I’ve pretty much worked out my style. Sure, it may have taken me a few years to get there once we moved into our house, but I finally got to a point where I felt like I understood my style, what I like, what I don’t like, what color combinations work best for me, etc.
But when it comes to dining tables, I have no clue. Again, I know what I don’t like when I see it, but I can’t seem to find anything that I do like. And I haven’t just been looking at secondhand tables. I’m looking at online stores and in-person stores at new tables as well. And nothing appeals to me. I don’t know why this one thing — this one piece of furniture — has been such a challenge for me since we moved into this house and continues to be a challenge for me today. It seems strange that a dining table could be such a challenge, and yet, here I am. Still searching. Still having no clue what I actually like.
So this morning, as is my almost-daily routine, I got onto Facebook Market place to see if there were any possibilities. I’m obviously open to refinishing a table if it’s needed, so I’m not concerned with finishes at this point. I found two that could even be close to being a “maybe” for me. First up, this oval table with two leaves and eight chairs.
First, the good. This whole vintage Henredon set is $150. I mean…wow. That’s a steal. I like the oval shape of the table, so we’re off to a good start. Also, it has two leaves, which is great. And I like the unique backs of the two chairs that are flanking the buffet against the wall. Those are unique, and I like unique. Then there’s the bad. I don’t like the shell design on the table legs, but that can probably be removed. Queen Anne legs are just okay for me. I don’t hate them, but I don’t love them, either. The good thing about them is that they don’t take up a lot of space, so they don’t get in the way of chairs. The other chairs are…interesting. I like the straight legs, but the spindle backs and what I can only see as Shrek ears on the top don’t appeal to me at all. Maybe they could be redone in a way that I actually like them, though.
There was one more possibility this morning — this rectangle table with a leaf for $100. It doesn’t come with any chairs.
Obviously, I like the turned legs. What I don’t like is that inset rope design on the table top. It looks nice, but I can just envision having to dig food or spilled liquids out of those crevices. But interestingly, I think it’s that detail that keeps this table from looking overtly “farmhouse” in style. So maybe I could live with digging out food and spilled drinks from crevices every now and then.
So I’ve been at this for months. now, and while I’d love to just throw in the towel and forget about it, I really do need a dining table. How can I be this far into getting our house just right for us, and I still don’t know what kind of dining table I like?
Addicted 2 Decorating is where I share my DIY and decorating journey as I remodel and decorate the 1948 fixer upper that my husband, Matt, and I bought in 2013. Matt has M.S. and is unable to do physical work, so I do the majority of the work on the house by myself. You can learn more about me here.
Take a look at the dining room sets on “Rooms to Go”. Lots of styles, good prices.
#2 A table cloth would solve your issue with spills
One thing though, I was told a long time ago to buy good chairs since they experience a lot of stress pushing in and out
Dining tables are difficult. Do make sure that the supporting edge under the perimeter of the table is not so deep you can’t slot a wheelchair with its user under the table, as well as room for foot plates. Ask me how I know to look for this. I now have a new to me craftsman table which I love but only it takes a wheelchair when there is a leaf in.
The second one seems more likely. The good thing about it is you can look for chairs separately.
I prefer the second table. I think it a simpler and more versatile style. As for the rope detail – how much food and drink is really going to get slopped on a table?
I second these comments. It’s not like you have toddlers or small children spilling food all over the table.
I’ll be #3…I thought it an odd worry; exactly who are you inviting to dinner that this might happen? I mean, that’s what table cloths are for right? I’m much more persnickety about linens than the table.
I loved the Henredon but not the chairs. I loved the one with the cane chairs. Any chance you can sketch out what you want in a table / chairs?Then you might be able to make it. I love the set my Fella made.
Kristi doesn’t have toddlers but her husband, Matt, has MS and may have issues with spills. I would never ask her nor would I expect her to comment on something so personal. I do like the table with the beautiful turned legs. Is the roping trim a separate piece that could possibly be removed or sanded smooth?
“Shrek ears” made me laugh out loud. Of course, I had to go back and look – yes, they are! I can’t wait to see what you eventually choose.
This one?
https://www.etsy.com/listing/4474527473/burned-wood-lava-epoxy-resin-dining?ref=elp_anchor_listing&pro=1&frs=1
Or maybe this one?😁
https://knoxdeco.com/products/steampunk-adjustable-dining-table-iron-crank-base-glass-top?
This one stares at you!
https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/greyleigh-rectangular-354-w-dining-table-geyl1634.html?piid=101113691
You are SILLY 🤪
Yeah, I was just having fun! They ARE unique and different, though…
Not your style nor direct want, I love Wyrmwood gaming tables… so can store a puzzle, hobby(like your jewelry), or game inside. They are solid wood, offer interesting inlays and features that appeal to me (outside my skills & tools). A unique wood they have sometimes is purpleheart (purplewood). The tables come apart and can be made bigger, I like to organize parts and bits for projects. They did start offering legs that are not just square for a short run. Overall once I save enough to treat myself, another house need seems to pop up. I can’t justify the cost for my home yet.
Wyrmwood is not the only option for a gaming table with a removable top. There are many that are much more affordable while offering similar functionality. Here are a few listed at Wayfair https://www.wayfair.com/AHB–Convertible-Board-Game-Table-for-46-Players-Storage-NonSlip-Mat-for-DND-and-Poker-64033BROWNWF-L159-K~ABBQ1191.html
I like the last table possibilities. I don’t think the roping will be as much of a problem as you think (but I have no idea obviously, to your actual life!) But, finding chairs that would work with this style could pose another challenge, unless you just go with fully upholstered ones. Even then, the legs probably would be just straight squares. I’m also not a fan of that vintage set – those chairs are horrid! We ended up with a nondescript sort of basic design, just because we were tired of searching, just like you, for a table we THOUGHT we wanted. We’ve had it now for almost 20 years! I do hate our chairs, because they are wood seats, no cushioning, but I decided we don’t stay at the table long anyway, so it isn’t a big deal. I would suggest to get the last table and live with it for a bit before finding chairs.
I have 2 thoughts.
1)Could you fill the rope design with a clear filler?
2)Have you tried asking AI? Input some pix of lots of places in your house and ask it to design a dining room table.
Good luck!
If it was me the first option is a definite no. There are too many things you dislike about it. I would scratch that one of the list immediately. I think the second option is beautiful. The concern of food slopping into the detail, unless you are opening up a daycare I think that’s unlikely. I also love the possibilities of what your finished style would be because you can use any chair style you like and stain color or paint. I feel like a light wood stain would be gorgeous on this table but I don’t know what your vision is!
Glad to know I’m not the only one still trying to learn what I like. I think the last one is closest. Then maybe finding chairs you love will make it fit even better to your style.
Curious whether you would consider something like a DIY Resin tabletop that you could customize and turn into an art piece such as seen at https://www.littlehouseonthecorner.com/diy-resin-dining-table/
It seems with you and Matt’s lifestyle a round table with perhaps two leaves would work best. Most times it will be round for your everyday lives which would work very well with a wheelchair. You don’t have family or company for big meals often but if and when you do the oval will seat more than a rectangle one. As you’ve probably seen, some tables come with hidden leaves which is very convenient. I have one in fact.
Maybe a table with a pedestal of some sort. That way no one has to straddle a table leg That’s what I’m leaning towards for my kitchen since I’m seating anywhere from 2-8 within a week.
Once you said “Shrek ears”, that’s all I can see!
Have you considered browsing Instagram of people whose style you love to see if you see anything you like, to have ideas of what you want to look for? Used to be so inspired by a blog that has been shut down and wish I could recommend you browse it for inspo—the posts aren’t even accessible anymore. However, this is the Instagram of the person whose selections I loved—maybe look around there? https://www.instagram.com/kim_dti
Another one I really like is Jean Stoffer of Devol. I don’t use Instagram but assume there will be good pictures here! https://www.instagram.com/jeanstofferdesign/ and maybe https://www.devolkitchens.com
I cannot unsee the Shrek ears now!
Have you considered a trestle table? I have one and it offers great flexibility. Mine has the option to add a leaf on each end, and I have those leaves in place every day in our dining room now.
Trestle tables allow ample room for a wheelchair and for feet, also the corner is open for sitting too.
https://www.cabinfield.com/blog/are-trestle-tables-a-good-idea/?srsltid=AfmBOopjTHg3niBUuO2ndBIeQ0uc0o0MIvs00-pkWlt_40FW2tMvnlta
https://www.wayfair.com/Charlton-Home%C2%AE–Barlow-Trestle-Dining-Table-w-24-Removable-Leaf-LGCT3577-L147-K~KFBS2466.html?refid=FR49-KFBS2466
I understand completely! In 1974 I needed a table and ended up with an iron/glass table with 4 chairs for $50. Still have it. Replaced it in 1982 with an English oak table and buffet from England. Straight lines. No curves, no trim. Everything square or tapered. The leaves pulled out from each end and the center piece dropped down 3/4″. The table can be dismantled simply by picking up the table top, removing the leaves and leaving the frame with legs. 9 ft x 39″ with leaves. I am using it to this day. No chairs came with it. I found an ad in the local paper and bought 10 chairs that had been in a local restaurant since the 50s. $10/ea. Cleaned them up and they looked like new. The wood was about the same color as the table. My kids are already fighting over who gets the dining room furniture and I’m still here!
When you are tired, just sit and peruse ads for DR furniture. Make a file of things that look interesting. Have you considered making a base and using a glass top? Visually, it opens the space up and it doesn’t look crowded in smaller areas. You could consider a table for 4 and then get one of those cabinets that hide a table that pulls out with leaves for larger gatherings. Some have just the table whereas the others have folding chairs included.
Hi Kristi: Have you looked at and considered a Duncan Phyfe table and chairs? Or maybe the chairs don’t even have to match the table perfectly – just complement the table style. The Duncan Phyfe style has a smaller base legs but the typically start in the middle and curve out with a decorative brass on the ends of the legs. Keep looking – I know you will find something that makes your heart sing!