June 24, 2010

Our Magic Table

We've had a table and four chairs in our breakfast nook that we bought in 1986. We have moved it to seven different houses over the last 24 years. When we bought it, our girls were in elementary school -- they're now in their 30s and we have a teenage granddaughter.

This table has seen a lot of action. Since it's in the kitchen, it's where we eat breakfast, lunch and dinner. And since it's also in the family room, I do some crafting there because I can watch the TV while I'm working. This is where we play games, have family meetings and set baked goods to cool when the counter is overflowing. There are actually tooth marks on the edge where the granddaughter cut her first teeth. Even though it is a small square table to seat four, we have always pulled up additional chairs when extra guests come over to eat because we enjoy the informality. Here's a photo ...


We recovered the chairs ourselves a few years ago. That little project garnered a lot of cussing until we realized we were using a crappy staple gun. Once Hubby bought a new one and every staple worked (not just every 3 or 4), we were in business.

But we've talked about getting a new table for several years now. We've looked in furniture stores and antique shops and even restaurants for just the right table. I've been leaning toward one with a hand-painted top that had some carving ... saw some like this at a restaurant years ago that has since gone out of business but we've never been able to figure out where they got them. Then last year we saw an unusual table at a furniture store that had a self-storing leaf so you could open it up and increase the size of the table. It was so cool; just not the right table.

A few weeks ago, one of our dearly beloved barstools that we've had since around 1994 broke. It's the one I perch my dainty butt on every day when I sit at the kitchen counter and use my laptop. I swear I have lost some weight but apparently not enough. We'd also talked about replacing these barstools as they've seen better days. We've had them recovered once and they had some paint on them from one of the granddaughter's little craft projects that wouldn't come off.

We were told about a barstool store in Chandler, Arizona, that the owners are closing for good so we headed off hoping to find a smokin' deal. And in this store, we found the answer to both our barstool and breakfast nook table problem all in one. We bought a counter height table with a total of eight barstools so there are four around the table and four at the kitchen counter.


And this is the magic part that just gives me a little thrill ...


It has a built-in self-storing leaf so we can expand the table to add a couple more barstools for when we have all the kids over or company when we're not using the formal dining room.


The barstools are covered in leather and they're really comfortable. I love it!!! Now if I could just make dinner magically appear on the table, I'd have it made.



11 comments:

family of 4 on the move! said...

Oh I love the table!! That is so pretty and the hidden leaf is fantastic! Great find!

The Trailmaker said...

Good finding.. that table is great!!
to replace the old one which had a good memory on it, I guess this one worth it..

Dazee Dreamer said...

That new table is awesome. I love it. But I have to say, your old table was in great shape. But I bet you were like a kid on christmas morning when you put the new one in it's place. Enjoy.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

Oh my, that is so exciting. It's a beautiful table, enjoy!

Snowcatcher said...

I really enjoyed hearing about the "scars" and "stains" on the old table and chairs. You didn't say what you did with the old set!

The new one looks beautiful, and the "case" for the leaf is unbelievable! Such craftwork!

Tightwad Mom said...

That is an amazing "magic" table! I love it.

Loren said...

What a FiND!!! It is beautiful!! I love the hiding leaf :)

So glad you were patient and it paid off bigtime my friend!!!

HUGS!

Tiffanee said...

That is beautiful!! I love how the leaves store inside the table. So perfect. WOW!! You did so good!

kayembee said...

That is freaking AWESOME! Perfect, perfect, perfect. You should really be featured in the next issue of Better Homes and Gardens! YD surprised me with a counter-height table and stools she found like new at a yard sale and I LOVE it! Great find.

AiringMyLaundry said...

I love it!

We have a table that pulls apart too.

paige renee said...

I love your new table! My mother-in-law has a very similar table with the self-storing leaf and it really is magic! Soooo much easier!