Modern kitchen tables pop (with color)

Modern style is known for clean lines, minimal decoration and a neutral color palette. This allows for fun pops of color without overwhelming the space. Many kitchen designers choose to add this color through an accent wall or a section of cabinetry. Consider an easy, less permanent way to have fun with color: your kitchen table or chairs.

Sun Flower Counter Height kitchen table set by Canadel Furniture {source}

High Style Turquoise and Black kitchen set by Canadel Furniture {source}

High Style Peppercorn and Red kitchen set by Canadel Furniture {source}

Get more ideas on our Modern Kitchen Pinterest board.

Bring farmhouse furniture into your house

When someone talks about a country kitchen tables and accessories, one thinks of weathervane roosters and kitschy cow cookie jars, but a farmhouse kitchen brings images of rustic wood, white baseboards - light and airy comfort.

The centerpiece of any farmhouse kitchen is the table. Sturdy and time weathered wood are hallmarks of a classic farmhouse kitchen table. Thanks to recent trends using reclaimed wood, these tables are not hard to find.

Reclaimed Table, Palettes by Winesburg {source}

Farmhouse style is known for a white palette, but too much white can end up looking sterile. Opt for warm white hues - think vanilla, praline, linen, and cream.

Willow and praline table, Canadel Furniture {source}

Amaretto and biscotti table, Canadel Furniture {source}

If you like the farmhouse look, but lean towards a more contemporary style, select a pedestal table with angular lines paired with more traditional chairs.

Champlain yellow and oak table, Canadel Furniture {source}

For a small kitchen, consider a double-duty kitchen table and island combo. Or, a drop leaf table set.

Farmhouse center island table, Liberty Furniture {source}

Low Country drop leaf table, Liberty {source}

However you choose to bring the farmhouse into your house, this easy, relaxed style will help to bring peace to an often hurried and hectic space.

For more farmhouse inspiration, check out our farmhouse kitchen pinboard.

Furniture Styles

Mango Hardy Dining Furniture

It seems furniture demand has evolved in recent years, as it always does and always will. Here in Columbus, Ohio furniture has moved more contemporary in the last decade and the country look isn’t as strong. There are still people who like the arrow-back chairs with a turned pedestal, but they are so much the minority that most stores have moved on to a more modern look. Yet, we find that there is a hybrid demand. Sets like the Hardy Dining Collection Mango, where you see contemporary style combined with Shaker looks. It’s more transitional and functional than going completely modern or completely country. The straight lines have taken the place of the bow-back colonial chair, yet this furniture still fits for most homes in our region.

Bassett Furniture Columbus Ohio

Bassett Custom Dining

I grew up in Columbus, Ohio. One thing I like about being in a city in the mid-west is the fact that there is a lot of diversity in furnishing designs. I've recently fallen in love with Bassett Furniture. For one, it is made in America. Yeah, let's see you find "Made in the USA" on a table or chairs from any other manufacture. Another thing I like about the Bassett Custom Dining program is that they ship in 30 days. So, the consumer gets a high-quality product, customized in about a month. That's pretty amazing. Their table and chair sets range from about $1,000 - $2,000, depending on the size of table and how many chairs you want. So, if you are looking for something country, transitional or even contemporary for your kitchen or dining room, you may want to check out Bassett.

Top 5 Tips to Take Care of Your Kitchen Table | Phil In Furniture

Top 5 Tips to Take Care of Your Kitchen Table | Phil In Furniture

So I’m guessing that you don’t have the time to read through all of my posts.  I’ll do you a favor and give you a quick synopsis on how to care for your kitchen table.

1. Cleaning: It’s typically best to use a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth.  If  you need to step it up a notch try adding a mild soap to the damp cloth.
2. Leaf Storage: Do not store the leaf on end.  Lay it flat under a bed, this will avoid warping.
3. Chairs: Put glides on the chair legs.  If your floor surface is hard you should use felt glides, if your set is on carpet go with the vinyl glides. I prefer the ones that peel and stick.
4. Chairs 2.0: Don’t lean back in them. Leaning back in your chair regularly will reduce it’s life by about 80%.
5. Avoid Damage: When you put a coffee mug, pizza box or hot dish on the table, check to the heat. If it is too hot to touch, then it is too hot for the table.

There are more things to consider, but these are the highlights.  If you have any questions, let me know by leaving a comment below.

Chromcraft Dinettes

Chromcraft Dinette Zip Ship Core

There is still a demand for dining caster chairs, but they have many names such as:

• Chairs on Rollers
• Castered Chairs or Castor Chairs
• Coasters
• Coaster Chairs
• Tilt-swivel
• Chairs on Wheels

Though they are known by many names, the fact remains that some people need the comfort and will search anywhere to find the right set.  Chromcraft Furniture is one of a few factories who still make this type of chair.  If you're having a hard time locating a dealer, just check out Kitchen Tables and More/Dinette Gallery who ships all over the Continental 48.

Chromcraft Quick-Zip-Shipping

Chromcraft dinettes zip ship

Well well it looks like the folks over at Chromcraft have heard the demands of the consumers looking for their “chairs on rollers” without wanting to wait up to 16 weeks. Imagine a slew of customers in the streets of Cairo demanding a change in the regime of long waits for their tilt-swivel dinettes, and the military decides to make the angry crowd happy by giving them a zip-ship Chromcraft kitchen set. Ok so it’s not that extreme, but Chromcraft Furniture now has several sets in stock, ready to ship if you are willing to go with the fabric shown. They have several sets in this quick-ship/zip-ship program, and all indicators point to them expanding this line. We’ll start to see just how quick a “zip” actually is before long.

Canadel Furniture vs Bermex... FIGHT!

Canadel vs Bermex

Canadel Furniture and Bermex Dining are two competing dining furniture lines.  They are both made in Canada and they both have nice products.  If you are in the market and can’t decide which of these manufactures fit your needs best, maybe I can help.
Quality of Finish: Both companies have a Catalyzed finish. Bermex features a catalyzed varnish where Canadel has a catalyzed lacquer.  Most experts will tell you that a varnish is better, but it is usually thinner than the lacquer. Bermex +1

Quality of Table Construction: Both companies use a high-quality birch.  However, Canadel uses anti-warp boards on the underside of the table top. Canadel +1
Quality of Chair Construction: This one is a wash in my opinion.  You can expect the chair to last a lifetime (if not abused) from either manufacture.  EVEN
Fabric Options: Canadel-over 300   Bermex-186 Canadel +.5

Wood Finish Options: Candel-120   Bermex-114 EVEN
Shipping Time: This varies quite a bit.  Depending on the time of year you may wait 3 weeks or over 2 months.  Canada has a mandatory shut down for the factories every summer, and the timing depends on where your custom set is in the production cycle. EVEN
Style Options: Both factories have several options on table shape, table size, chairs, buffets and hutches.  I side with Canadel on this one because of their Udesign software that lets you create your combination and it displays it to you on their website. Canadel +1
Price: Both companies are pricey, but well worth the value.  This furniture, if cared for, will last for generations.  Canadel in general is a little less expensive, but they also have a Champlain collection that is higher than Bermex.  Canadel +.5
So, according to my formula here Canadel wins by 2. So, why do I have a Bermex table, chairs and buffet in my dining room at home? Because they had the look that I wanted.  You can look for opinions of everyone you know and it won’t matter.  Go with the set and manufacture that you like best and you’ll be happy with it, after all you’re the one that get to eat there.

Ashley Furniture: 4 Things You Should Know

Ashley Furniture North Shore Dining

Ashley Furniture is the most recognized name in dining furniture right now. From Price is Right to the commercials seen for your local Ashley Homestore, it seems hard to miss the orange Ashley Logo. They have a recipe that few manufacturers have replicated in the furniture industry that have helped create a trusted brand. Here are a few things that you should know:
1. Shop Around for the Best Price. One thing that most shoppers don’t understand is that you cannot buy Ashley Furinture “factory direct.” All Ashley Furniture has a middleman with a markup. You actually have a decent chance of saving money at a retailer who carries Ashley Furniture along with other manufacturers.
2. Ashley Furniture is priced well. You get a lot of look for what you’re paying and the quality is decent.
3. It is imported. Like most furniture these days, Ashley Furniture is made in Asia. Don’t let that scare you away too much. The only things you’ll find made in the USA is very pricey.
4. Ashley knows how to flow goods. They have their own freight lines so they can ship to the retailer in a decent amount of time. They also typically have a large amount of their inventory stocked which helps speed up the shipping process.
Ashley Furniture is altogether a great company. They are not the highest quality out there, but they sure know how to make your home look nice on a reasonable budget. You can shop for them at your local store to see how it looks in person, but don’t be afraid to order online from a reputable retailer. A retailer who has a brick and mortar store and an e-store will likely have the ability to cut the price and ship it right to your front door.

Floor Protection, Chair Longevity

So let's take a look at how to make your chairs last longer and at the same time protect your floor. Watch this video on how to do that.

How To: Self-Storing Leaf Tables

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There are some kitchen tables with selfstoring butterfly leaves in a very convenient way. Watch this video to see how it is done.

Kitchen Tables That Don't Match...Intentionally

napoleon dining set

When shopping for wood kitchen tables, many folks think that they have to match the wood/laminate floor.  Adding variety by contrasting the wood tones provides a rich depth that would get lost if you match the wood finishes exactly.

Changes

Major changes are coming to this blog about dinettes and kitchen tables. All of you who want more of my pretty face, well, you'll get more of it soon:) I hope to begin vlogging by the end of the week about furniture tips and featured furniture items. Now I'm off to get a camera.

Update: All Four on the Floor!

Reposting as a favor to all of our friends at Chairs Quick (http://chairs-quick.com)

How many times have you heard it from mom when you're sitting at the kitchen table and you lean back in one of your chairs to have only two chair legs touching, and she says, "Four on the floor!" Well there is actually something to that old saying. Safety aside, some in the furniture industry estimate that you will lessen the life of that chair. Some estimate 50-75% of the life a chair is lost when you regularly lean back. Of course the heavier we Americans get the less likely our chairs will hold out like they did for grandma, especially when we jeopardize the structural integrity by leaning back on two legs.

Kitchen Tables and Dinettes

Have the use of dinettes and kitchen tables shifted in recent years? Traditionally, dinettes were used for eating meals and homework. In my home we use the kitchen table to sort the mail, use the laptop, read the newspaper, pay the bills and of course have dinner. Today's dinettes get a lot of use, and thus the importance of picking out kitchen table sets that will hold up under the daily grind in your kitchen. Here is an example of an inexpensive sold wood dinette.

Keep Those Legs Tight... Not Too Tight

I still remember putting together my first dinette as a kid. Growing up in a family business which sold dinettes, pretty much required me to learn this skill early on. Well I think it was a Ligo dinette, but my mistake was getting excited with the wrench. I overtightened the screw on one of the dinettes legs, when POP!, I split the wood. I learned the hard way that day, that you should only make it snug not super tight. Also, when you notice tables with legs that start to wobble, that means it needs a little tightening. This usually occurs during autumn when the wood begins to dry out.

The White Ring of Death

So you sit back after balancing your checkbook at the kitchen table, then you set your hot cup of coffee down for a few moments. The next day you notice a strange white ring on your table that can't be wiped off. Hello heat mark. It can occur from a hot drink, pizza box, or a pot. Mr. Know-it-all will tell you, "Shoulda used a coaster, I always do." No kidding? Well now how do you get rid of it? There are quite a few products out there that help. One that I've used with great success is Jasco White Ring Remover. It is usually sold at your local hardware store, and last I checked, they don't have a company website. It supposedly works on water marks too, although most new dinettes have a catalyzed or other finish that helps prevent that. Good luck!

Super Comfy Chairs

When you think of a tilt and swivel chair with casters, you may think of this. There are, however, a few other options if you're looking for a dinette with wheels. Here are a few things to consider when making this purchase. First, a chair that swivels will hit the edge of the table. That is why it is very rare to find a glass table with a swivel chair. Second, a chair with wheels should not be located next to stair. (This shouldn't need more explanation) Third, these chairs are usually very comfortable, so be ready to spend more time with your family in the kitchen.

What are dinettes anyway?

One thing I've found in recent years is that the word "dinette" is not used as often. Many young people think it's a room next to the kitchen or a 50's style restaurant table. The word "dinette" can be used to describe those things, but it is traditionally used to describe the table and chairs you would have in your kitchen area. Basically (dinette = kitchen table + chairs). Make sense? Many people over the age of 30 will find this a little redundant, but it's interesting how certain words change or are lost from generation to generation. Anyway, I'm rambling on, hop on over to Kitchen Tables and More and shop/learn how many "dinettes" are available.

Making Room For Round

Need help fitting a round kitchen table in a tight space? Well the solution is actually simple. Rotate the kitchen table so the chairs fit into the corner of the room. Enjoy my lovely layout of the dinette above!