Tuesday, November 4, 2008

Kitchen Table Dilemma


I have a love/hate relationship with my kitchen table. I have been debating over whether or not to get a new one for a long time. Friends and family so don't want me to trash it but I just don't know. I LOVE that it is my childhood kitchen table that my parents bought while they were awaiting my arrival because we were now going to be a five person family. I LOVE that every bit of homework me and my brothers and sisters did was at this table. I LOVE that so many important conversations in my life have taken place sitting there with loved ones. I LOVE that my kids eat breakfast, carve pumpkins, color pictures, and one day hopefully join in on family discussions around the same table that I did. I LOVE that it seats a lot of people and can extend to be quite large. I LOVE that it is FREE! I HATE the bench seats (years ago it had two chairs at either end but they have since broken). I HATE that I need to redo some of the stain. I HATE that it looks a bit tattered (especially in these pics). So this is my dilemma, keep the table or not, keep the table get new chairs, what kind of chairs if I get new chairs, what color chairs (because you know I won't find the same color wood), should I do mismatched antique chairs all painted the same color (saw this in a mag one time...thought it was pretty cute), should I do slipcovered chairs, or should I just get rid of the dang thing. I need HELP! Any suggestions, pics, etc. would be greatly appreciated. I mean this is a very important issue and all...even in light of election day. DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!

16 comments:

Brittany said...

DO NOT GET RID OF THAT TABLE! I think one day you would be very sad if you did. Look at my tiny table in my kitchen, but I will never part with it because my Grandparents bought it for me!

You will one day have a bigger house with a craft room, and you could definitely use it in there. Then, you could get the table that you want for the kitchen. What happens when your family grows and you need a big table for your kitchen? And, you have so many friends and family that live close and you love to entertain, that you often need the bigger table.

I love your table and the sentiment behind it. I do not think you need to do one thing to it. Why do you hate the bench seats? They are not out of style, look at your sister's table.

Brittany said...

P.S. I like the new background!

Unknown said...

I think the table is great! I really like the homey feel of it. If you are not loving it, I would say get new chairs and update it. I saw a white table with red chairs in a pottery barn catalog, and it looked so cute mismatched like that. And my best friend bought all different chairs in a similar shade to go around her table. I would say no to slipcovered chairs though...not too practical with kids unless you just love getting stains out of fabric. And what about refinishing the table in the same color as the hutch behind it? There are a lot of things you can do with it. I would say keep it b/c you can't buy memories...Can't wait to see what you decide!

Anonymous said...

I love that it is from your childhood. How great is that! Your ceiling looks just like mine. Almost same color too~ I would hang on to that table... maybe just put it in another room if you have the space. Good luck~

Buzzings of a Queen Bee! said...

I love the table. I think that you would feel better about the whole "look" if you got some new chairs and painted them...maybe some mismatched ones painted all black or something? I think that would help you feel like you like it more!
Carrie

Shannon said...

I love it! Don't get rid of it. What about buying black chairs and painted the legs of the table black?

Heather said...

We recently painted our table, 4 chairs and hutch all black and I fell head over heels in love with them again.

Anonymous said...

I think the table is a keeper. If you give it up you will certainly regret it later. I would do exactly as you said. Get a bunch of mismatched chairs.

Jessica said...

I love the table with the benches! Maybe just sand and restain the table and get two chairs to go at the ends and paint them red. I hate my tiny kitchen table and woulod LOVE a big one with benches!

Angie said...

I say keep the table since it has so many memories attached to it. I like all the ideas people have shared. Remember that paint can work wonders!

Unknown said...

How fun you have the same table you grew up with. I would keep it, but I have to say, I am in the table dilemma too. My kitchen table needs to be restained and fixed up too. I think you should keep for sentimental reasons, maybe get some chairs to match the benches. Good luck. Can't wait to see what you do!

Becky said...

I have a sign like you "Harvest" one in my kitchen too! It says "Giving Thanks" though. Your kitchen is very cute and so darn clean!
Cute blog....

Oh and BTW..Don't get rid of that table. I love it. I love the history, and every mark it shows and mean;)

TRT said...

HA!!! I TOLD YOU NOT TO GET RID OF MY (OUR) TABLE.

Missy Wertz said...

I like it! I agree with other posts, do not get rid of it. Repurpose it if you find another table, but do not get rid of it, you will have regrets. I personally love it! Are those the original benches? You could try chairs.

the undomesticated wife said...

Oh my goodness, I think I have the same table! I have it in my dining room. It, too, was the table my family used all of my life. It's the only table I ever remember having! I hate mine though. LOL

Screaming Meme said...

Don't get rid of that table...It is your history...Put the bench seats somewhere else...end of a bed...as a night stand for your little ones...or store them until you find a place....Look at my chair i have on my blog...It is farm house style...There are a few pictures through out...You can paint them to match the hutch...or color it a coordinating color....You can have slips made for the seats or a full slip you can put on for special holidays and such...History is so important...if I lived by you Id help you out! Keep me post! meme