It’s been something that I’ve been considering now for a little while. I bought my current dining table nearly 10 years ago and at that time, I wanted something quite contemporary and sturdy looking. It was probably one of the first “real proper adult furniture” purchases I’d ever made and I remember saving around Β£600 so I could buy the whole set (the high back leather chairs have long been replaced). Despite the fact it was purchased nearly a decade ago, I still see this table style around and even West Elm sell a remarkably similar version.
However, there is an issue with it which drives me mad. Because the ‘legs’ are closer together than on a table with 4 legs at each corner, when you are sat on the side of the table closest to the mantle, you feel a bit squashed. The chairs sit quite closely together and so to get out of Β the table, you have to do a bit of acrobatics/be okay with flashing Paris Hilton-style. It’s not easy when you haven’t got the room to back the chair all the way out. And as ‘my seat’ (yes the one I tend to sit in all the time) is one of those chairs, it’s been doing my head in for far too long.
And so the hunt was on for a dining table that really liked. Harder than it sounds. Because, in my heart of hearts, I would have loved something like this…
Or like this…
Yeah, while it’s nice to have dreams, I had to get realistic. I don’t have Β£10k to spend on a dining table and even if I did, I’m not sure my dining room could really handle so much glam. So I started looking on my Delicious Dining Rooms Pinterest board to see if there were other options that I would be happy with.
Sense the theme here? Ahhh yes. White.
So the hunt was on to find the perfect dining table. I wanted white – not shabby chic chippy finishes (of which there were plenty) but pure unadulterated white. And it had to have either a pedestal or the legs on each corner. And it couldn’t be round or oval because while they look great, the space accommodates a rectangular table better. And it had to work with the Chippendale chairs I worked so hard to source. And I wanted something a bit more contemporary but with a traditional slant. And it needed to fit the space I had (no point looking for tables that extended to seat 12 when I’d never use it as such) and possibly a little narrower than the one I currently had. Oh and it had to be under Β£400. Hmmm. Yeah. Not asking for much then.
For the last few months, I have scoured the internet for affordable options. While there was no immediate urgency (ie., the table, while a bit of a pain, was still useable), if I was spending that kind of cash, I wanted something that we’d have for a long time. This was a decision I was going to take my time over.
Well, during my daily browse through Joss & Main, I spotted it.
Pure white? Check. Contemporary but with a traditional slant? Check. Fits within my dimensions and wasn’t an extending table? Check. Within my budget? At a reduced price of Β£368 (I’ve seen it elsewhere for Β£1300!), check check check. By George, I think we’ve found it.
It’ll be a few weeks before it arrives but I’m quite excited. While it’s not sassy brass and glass, it’s a practical option that will hopefully work really well in my deep blue dining room.
Next up? Replacing the existing seat cushions on the side chairs to an upholstered seat in a fabric that works better with the orange/pink end chairs. Oh and refinishing those floors to a similar colour to my current table (so it’ll still be warm with wood tones)! Ahh yes, even the rooms you think are mostly done are still a work in progress…
Image credits: Fiona Leahy Design via Coco & Kelley / Tompkins Lloyd Interiors via Mimosa Lane / Lonny / Lonny / Nuevo EstiloΒ / Joss & Main
All others my own.
It's lovely! Good find :) Here's to no more Paris Hilton-style flashing at the dining table :p xxx
Indeed, I'm sure the paparazzi that hang out outside my windows will be disappointed but needs must! ;) xx
Lovely! It's going to look awesome. Might I ask where you found your dining room ceiling fixture? I LOVE. xx
Sure, it's the Marteau pendant from Habitat, I rather love it myself! :) xxx
Love your choice! And the price!
Thank you!! xxx
I love it. It'll look amazing with the navy I think. Joss and Main is one of my favourite sites to get lost in at the moment. <br /><br />Our dining table was a 30th birthday gift from my parents and I love it and hope it'll be with us for a looooooong time but some days I dream of other tables. shhhhh, though, don't tell the table.
Oh yes, J&M is very quickly becoming a favourite place to browse! I'm pretty sure after finding this one, I'll still dream of a vintage brassy number but I won't tell if you don't ;) xxx
Those inspiration images … yum. I know we talked about dining room tables a long while back. I wouldn't have guessed you'd chose white! But it will be lovely in there. <br /><br />Hey, if you would be interested in leopard velvet for your dining chairs, or any other fabric you can't get in the UK easily, let me know.
Yes and I've been on the hunt ever since we talked! Ha!! I'm hoping it will work well seeing as the brassy glass and Milo Baughman-style burlwood just isn't in my future (unless of course I hit the lottery) ;) <br /><br />Thanks so much, I will definitely keep that in mind! I'm probably looking at something in either orange or pink in an easier-to-care for fabric than the cotton I
Oh yes, while I would fall quite hard for the table you currently have, I can see the issues it has in your space and that too would drive me insane. I'd say it'll blow your mind how much brighter the room will be once you get your hands on that lush table. Not that your current table is dragging your room down, but ya know what I mean. <br /><br />Yep. Yum, yum.
I know exactly what you mean and it was because I was constantly using light/white table cloths (because I loved the way it brightened up the room) which made me realise a white table was a better choice for such a deeply hued room! xxx
Amazing how tastes change – but it echoes an earlier post on how our tastes are always evolving. Love the new table – are you planning to sell the other one?
Oh definitely, some of my previous choices I really question now! Ha! But this table is nice, it's just not right for the (small) space we have ;) And yes, I am going to be selling the old one! If you're interested (or know anyone who is) just let me know! xxx
Great choice! I don't think you can do any wrong ;) xo Kristin
Haha Kristin!! Oh god, no trust me, I make plenty of mistakes ;) xxx
Great post! I'm on the same page as Alex xx Look forward to seeing your new purchase in situ! Oh! And that light fixture…*stares dreamily at the screen*
Love the mirror in pic one, do you know where it is from?
Sure, I got it from eBay but it was a couple of years ago now xxx
Gosh, it seems these rooms of yours are constantly changing! How exciting to have such imagination to change things again over and over!<br /><br />Katie <3
I know, my boyfriend DESPAIRS!! Ha!! I can't help myself, I think it's an illness ;) xx
I think that is going to look smashing! Excellent choice!
Oh, I love all of these!
I pinned that last white one as well a while ago. Love that dining room. The table you bought is awesome and I can't wait to see it in your dining room.<br />Can you believe that I was lucky enough to find my glass and brass dining table at an auction for $25? But the glass does drive me nuts sometimes ;)