Something happened to me this weekend that I’d bet has happened to you before too. Here’s the story – we’ve been in our new house for two months now and have been without a kitchen table the whole time. It’s not that I haven’t been looking – I’ve looked ENDLESSLY since the time that we moved in. I’ve scoured local furniture stores, searched everywhere online (including Craigslist), and hit about every consignment shop and Goodwill within a 30 mile radius. What I was looking for was a table that:
- comfortably seats four people and is large enough to squeeze in two more when needed
- has a rustic (but not too rustic) feel – I was thinking a farmhouse table, a table with reclaimed wood, or one with a distressed painted finish
- fit well in our kitchen space, meaning that it could be no longer than 72″ if rectangular and no wider than 54″ if circular
- was definitely under $1000 and preferably under $500
Before finishing my story, I’ll show you my four final contenders:
1. Restoration Hardware’s 60″ 17th C. Monastery Dining Table in grey acacia ($995) – I’m a sucker for furniture with baluster shapes and for trestle tables so this table is definitely my style. While the unsealed wood planks are part of what makes it beautiful, the negative is that the planks can be uneven, bow over time, and stain pretty easily.
2. Restoration Hardware’s Flatiron Dining Table – 60″ ($695) or 72″ ($795). I love this table but had the same concerns as with the Monastery Table since the tabletop is unsealed wood. I was pretty sure that the unevenness of the wood planked top would mean a future full of lots of spilled kids drinks.
3. Pottery Barn’s Laney Fixed Kitchen Table ($799), which is a rustic pine table. Very simple but I think it could be very pretty paired with slipcovered dining chairs. And I love that it has two large storage drawers for napkins, tablecloths, etc.
4. Z Gallerie’s Archer Round Dining Table ($899), which is made of a wire brushed acacia veneer. At first I was turned off by the fact that it was a veneer table but then I realized that it meant the wood probably wouldn’t stain easily or have any bowing or uneven planking like you can get with the reclaimed, unsealed wood tables.
So picking back up with my story…after two months of shopping and not being able to find the table that was “the one”, on Friday morning I decided to throw in the towel and call Z Gallerie to order the Archer Dining Table. We just couldn’t keep functioning without a kitchen table and I really do like this one – it was just more than I wanted to spend (the shipping was $$$ b/c we don’t have a nearby Z Gallerie). My sister knew that I had been tormenting myself trying to find a table so I texted her that I finally ordered the one from Z Gallerie and added, “So you know that since I finally ordered it, I’ll find the perfect table today, right?”.
Fast forward about six hours – I was coming back from doing some back-to-school shopping with my girls when I spotted a home store that I must have passed about 20 times before but had never noticed. I wasn’t even thinking about looking for a table – I just wanted to check out what this little store was all about. Detour! And what do you think was right in front of me when I walked in? Yep, the perfect table:
No. Way. The perfect size for our eat-in area with a small butterfly leaf that opens for seating six, a beautiful painted & waxed finish with soft gray edging,
and the legs… LOVE them!!
And the table was under $500. Sold! But actually maybe not. I had already ordered and paid for a table this morning. Fortunately, Z Gallerie was wonderful and cancelled my order with no problem and so on Sunday we picked up our beautiful new table and last night we ate our first dinner in the kitchen since moving in. Sooo happy!
So, am I the only one that this always happens too? You know, giving up on finding what you’re looking for after endless shopping and deliberating only to find the perfect thing once you’ve stopped looking? Tell me I’m not alone here…
Geralyn Adams says
August 19, 2013 at 6:57 amGreat story and I think you wound up with the prettiest one. I admire your determination. For me sometimes it’s the first thing I look at, despite lots of subsequent running around to find something else. For example, I had seen a chandelier I liked on the Pottery Barn website, then spent WEEKS shopping every store I could think of. What did I finally get? The original Pottery Barn one. Sometimes it’s the first thing we see, sometimes it’s the one that pops up unexpectedly. Have a great week!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 19, 2013 at 7:57 pmThat has happened to me several times too – sometimes the first thing I find is “the one” but I have a fear of committing when I find something so quickly! I’m always thinking that there may be something I’ll like even better if I keep on looking (when usually there isn’t…).
Linda {Calling it Home} says
August 19, 2013 at 7:55 amNo, you are not the only one. There is definitely something to be said about just making a decision and moving forward. I love the one you are ending up with. It is unique and that makes the best statement for any home. Happy accident, I always say.
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 19, 2013 at 7:58 pmSo true – most of my house is one big happy accident actually 🙂
[email protected] Chronicles of Home says
August 19, 2013 at 9:06 amWhat a perfect, happy ending!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 19, 2013 at 8:01 pmYep – got lucky on this one!
jeanette says
August 19, 2013 at 6:12 pmlove the ending to this story…..it’s a beautiful table and such a fab price…..happy for you!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 19, 2013 at 8:01 pmThanks Jeanette!
Sonicgal says
August 20, 2013 at 10:46 amWhat kind of chairs are you using with it?
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 20, 2013 at 11:00 amI was planning to use neutral slipcovered IKEA chairs with the table, but after I got the table home I realized that slipcovered chairs would totally hide the pretty table legs (my favorite part!) so I ended up also buying the chairs that went with the table. I’m not usually one for getting matching sets (I like it when the chairs aren’t a matched set to the table) but in this case it was the right call (I think….)
Lisa @ Shine Your Light says
August 22, 2013 at 6:27 pmOh I love love love it Kris!!!! I really like the round table you cancelled, but this one is just awesome with those legs, and the size – perfect for what you wanted!! You are giving me hope. I have been looking for a good year for the perfect table; I have a list of regular stores that run the range from Habitat Restore to the Restoration Hardware Outlet nearby but I’ve yet to find the ONE. After reading your story I’m definitely not going to settle – it’s out there somewhere 🙂 Enjoy many wonderful meals with your family around this beautiful table!
Kris @ Driven by Décor says
August 22, 2013 at 7:34 pmI feel your pain Lisa. So impressed that you’ve been looking for a whole year and are still at it when I caved after a mere two months! Yes, you WILL find it. It’s just a matter of how much time it will take. If you’ve got a table to use in the interim, keep looking – I know you’ll be glad you did!
Sandy Aramino says
September 14, 2014 at 5:26 pmLove your table and chairs also.:)
What is name & location of the store where you found it? Or Manufacturers name of the table and chairs?
Kris @ Driven by Decor says
September 15, 2014 at 8:34 amHi Sandy,
I got the table and chairs from a small locally owned home store in CT but unfortunately it’s one of a kind. The owners had bought the set from an estate sale and refinished it. I’ve seen very similar tables pop up on my Craigslist from time to time so if you like the look of it, that might be a good place to check!
mitzi stubbs says
May 25, 2015 at 6:09 pmI have the exact problem that you mentioned in your article!! I found your article by googling 60″ rectangle farm table! Can you please provide me with the maker of this table? I was looking for a table with good looking legs too! Your table is exactly what I am looking for! Thanking you in advance. Mitzi in Mississippi 🙂
Kris Jarrett says
May 26, 2015 at 9:37 pmHi Mitzi! Unfortunately, the table is one that the ladies at this shop found at an estate sale and refinished – it’s about fifty years old. Sorry I can’t help in your table search – I remember how frustrated I was trying to find that size so I know how frustrated you must be too. Fingers crossed that you find something great!
Kris
Carol says
February 10, 2016 at 7:24 pmAlways happens. Wanted 5 ft round but all way too much, painted and used a rectangle one a year, then found a large round vintage one I did in cream distressed. However a little uneven at seam..being afraid to buy something not 100 percent happy with takes forever and paralyzed me so I tend to get used and try and make it work til the perfect one comes along. May just have a 6 ft square one built, works like a round but easier to build…