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.

Pastel Furniture

Most people think of the color scheme when they hear about Pastel Furniture, but Pastel is furniture line that has been around for years and has notched out a nice, unique look specializing in the metal and wrought iron category.  Recently they have expanded in a new direction with an ultra contemporary look. It takes a forward look at design while borrowing a throw-back-type of style with items like "brewers chairs", which haven't been seen on showrooms in decades.

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.

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.

Canadel Furniture

One of the finest lines in kitchen and dining furniture is Canadel Furniture
.  While it costs more than the average set, the quality is hard to beat.  Why are they one of the best?

1. Catalyzed Lacquer Finish-  The finish is literally baked on the furniture.  This helps prevent chips and dents, but mainly will help you avoid water rings or water marks left by a wet glass and staining.
2. Solid Birch or Oak- The wood used by Canadel is top quality Birch which gives a beautiful and rich look or if you prefer the deep grain the Oak option is very nice.(Correction: Canadel now solely offers Birch as a wood species option.) Plus birch is considered a “hard wood” which adds to the longevity.
3. Custom Choices- Canadel has over 70 finishes and over 55 fabrics to chose from.  Chose your table size and shape, then you can actually chose the leg or pedestal style for the table and the leg style for most chairs.  Then you can chose the edge(profile) of your table. Distressed or matte finish.  All that then you can even get Coran or Zodiaq.
4. Solid Construction-  Table: Solid wood including sliding tracks, blocked corners, undersides of tables are completely sealed with ultraviolet seal coat and reinforced with anti-warp boards to prevent warping due to humidity.  Chairs: Blocked to prevent twisting and cracking, chair joints are glued and nailed(or screwed), legs are individually adjusted to eliminate rocking, backs of chairs are steam-bent to prevent cracks and are nailed and glued for strength and durability.

Yeah, they’re top-notch.  So, where do you purchase such a fine piece of furniture? (Made entirely in North America)  Several high-end retailers sell Canadel, but Kitchen Tables and More Furniture in Columbus, Ohio guarantees the lowest price in Central Ohio… just sayin'.

Canadel Furniture: What you need to know when custom ordering

If you’re looking to custom order high-end kitchen or dining room furniture such as Canadel Furniture there are some very important things you should know. Check out this video to get the skinny.

What You Need to Know When Custom Ordering

If you're looking to custom order high-end kitchen tables or custom dining room sets, there are some very important things you should know. Check out this video to get the skinny.

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.

Canadel, Canadel, Canadel

Canadel Furniture Kitchen Dining Set

One of the finest lines in kitchen and dining furniture is Canadel Dining Furniture
.  While it costs more than the average set, the quality is hard to beat.  Why are they one of the best?

1. Catalyzed Lacquer Finish-  The finish is literally baked on the furniture.  This helps prevent chips and dents, but mainly will help you avoid water rings or water marks left by a wet glass and staining.
2. Solid Birch or Oak- The wood used by Canadel is top quality Birch which gives a beautiful and rich look or if you prefer the deep grain the Oak option is very nice. Plus birch is considered a "hard wood" which adds to the longevity.
3. Custom Choices- Canadel has over 70 finishes and over 55 fabrics to chose from.  Chose your table size and shape, then you can actually chose the leg or pedestal style for the table and the leg style for most chairs.  Then you can chose the edge(profile) of your table. Distressed or matte finish.  All that then you can even get Coran or Zodiaq.
4. Solid Construction-  Table: Solid wood including sliding tracks, blocked corners, undersides of tables are completely sealed with ultraviolet seal coat and reinforced with anti-warp boards to prevent warping due to humidity.  Chairs: Blocked to prevent twisting and cracking, chair joints are glued and nailed(or screwed), legs are individually adjusted to eliminate rocking, backs of chairs are steam-bent to prevent cracks and are nailed and glued for strength and durability. 

Yeah, they're top-notch.  So, where do you purchase such a fine piece of furniture? (Made entirely in North America)  Several high-end retailers sell Canadel, but Kitchen Tables and More in Columbus, Ohio guarantees the lowest price in Central Ohio... just sayin :)

Make Your Chairs Last Longer

As was discussed in Going Greenest, chairs and barstools need glides.  Don't settle for the default glides that come from the factory. The factory installed glides are typically small and don't do what they need to.  Go buy them at your local hardware store or furniture store.

1. Hard floor: Felt Glides
2. Carpet floor: Plastic Glides
3. Bigger is better: Get the largest glide that will fit on the bottom of the leg.

The goal is to make your chairs or stools slide across the floor as little as possible so that the joints are not stressed.  It also makes it easier on you when moving a heavy chair or stool.

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.

Storing Your Table's Leaf

Here is a video describing storing the leaf of your kitchen tables or dining room tables as discussed in my previous post Storing Your Leaf.

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.

Furniture Needs

How do you know what you need when picking out dinette sets, barstools, or entertainment centers? One thing is for sure, asking too many opinions can just confuse you. I've seen many instances where someone will poll every friend they have only to never make a decision. My suggestion, ask a few people who have good taste, then go with what you want. After all, you will be the one looking at your purchase every day:)

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 That Give... Legs vs Pedestal

When shopping for kitchen tables or dining room sets you may notice a little wobble with tables that have a pedestal. A leg table will give you more stability on the corners, but will reduce the ability to put chairs at the corner when you have guests. A pedestal table will feel like it has give at the edges, but you will be able to seat more people around it. Of course you do lose a little leg room with a pedestal, but it also provides a foot rest for the kids.

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.