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Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Dining Table? Where are you??

Friends, I need direction.

I have been on a financial roller coaster more than normal. I had a death in the family with a lot of emotions. I was offered a house (paid off) I was offered a new vehicle. I was then offered $10,000. I started thinking and praying about ways to use that money to actually change our day to day struggles. What actually came of it all was $800 (and a silver tea/coffee service:) I am grateful for the money. Very. Im trying to get my mind and all it's plans to calm down and re-adjust.

Then I thought we could get some nice functional furniture for this small space that we are in all day. **We do get out in the fresh air and exercise and we do socialize :)

We are now using a borrowed (for 6+ years) futon that is sooo worn and not really functional. We have a pretty nice dining room table, but it seats 6 with both leaves in and we are now 7. The chairs are very worn and were recovered without cushions as in there needs to be a funky shaped octagon cut out of wood to staple padding to. We dont have the tools to do that. Right now, material is just stretched over the open space. Not really functional or comfortable :) We are renting and the dining room is tiny and wont fit anything bigger. I dont think. We are now eating on carpet. Im wondering how much space we would "gain" by moving the dining room table to the living room and switching things around....there may not be enough room for that and we really do LIVE in this room.


Here is our living room currently. The camera is ON a another wall, flanked in bookcases :) I dont know if I can squeeze anymore space out...

I think you can see in this picture how funky the legs are..You cannot add more chairs. Can you see how small the space is too? hmm....



I saw these at JCPenney.com:


HERE (I can add a leaf and seat 8..in theory) I wonder if I could add a bench for $60.00 too....

I dont normally buy new, but I'm having trouble finding anything used that would fit us on craigslit, the classifieds and yard sales. I fell in absolute LOVE with a table at a furniture store that will "let" me make payments for a year. I cant make payments. There just isnt enough to have "extra." There has to be an obvious design solution, right? Is there an online office furniture place that I could purchase a sturdy table from? Could I have my current chairs recovered by some great go getter for less than new? Can I get anything for under $800. Can I squeeze in a Jcpenney bench and buy my back injured hubby one good comfortable chair and pray for a new rental? Has anyone else dealt with this? What would/did you do?






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19 comments:

Unknown said...

Oh my goodness!! Your world sounds a lot like mine! I live at home with my parents and two brothers. The three of us share a room...now I'm 26 years old so this is slightly embarrassing for me. (Thank God I don't entertain men friends!!)

In 2007, when I realized I wasn't gonna be able to move out with my friend, I took the money I saved and bought a bunk bed (which I used as a loft bed), and moved up! I put all my close in cheap plastic drawers from Wal-Mart and a smallish chest of drawers from IKEA. It was great! I had a lot more room, for a while. But I'm busting out again, so I'm desperately trying to move!!

I don't know exactly the situation you're in, but hopefully this will encourage you!! I'll also be praying for you!!

w said...

IKEA, my friend! I know it's a drive for you, but you can check it all out online. Maybe a corner unit, with BENCHES. I think all those chair and table legs add to the cluttered look. Take a deep breath! Furniture shopping is fun!

Allison said...

Have you checked out JCPenney's outlet online? I bought 4 of those chairs at a really discounted price...they even had some cheaper than this and some tables as well.

I wish I had some better ideas besides craigslist...are there any furniture consignment stores in your area?

You could rent tools maybe and fix the chairs you have or have the hardware store cut down some plywood into more manageable pieces and purchase a jigsaw (you can get one for like $40) to cut out the missing seat?

I feel your dilemna...our kitchen cabinets are currently falling apart and we just don't have the money to replace cabinets right now.

Here's hoping you find a solution!
Visiting from SITS!

Sassy Chica said...

I would go for the new set at JCPenny's...its GORGEOUS! You are probably thinking about all you can do if you went used, however why not go with what you love and take a leap of faith...just my opinion!

Smooches,
Sassy Chica

visiting from sits:)

Kelly said...

+1 on IKEA! They have some really cute stuff at a good price, including a table that comes with a bench. and their stuff is all geared toward MAXIMIZING space. I'll bet you could get the table w/ chairs and bench AND a sofa for what you're looking to pay for a new table at JC Penny.

Praying for you. $$$ sure causes a lot of stress. NOT having it causes even more.

MamaOtwins+1 said...

I would go with finding a new table - that has better placed legs. Then salvage a few of your current chairs and add a bench. You could repaint, recover, etc

I like the Ikea idea, they do have a lot of neat stuff. Have you ever tried the yahoo freecycle group for your area. Many times you can get good stuff there too!

Stopping by from SITS

Gina Ward said...

I don't know what kind of places you have available, but I am all about IKEA, also. I have also been able to find some great stuff at thrift stores. Even if it needs paint or stain, if you can get a good price on it, go for it! I do think you need a different table, and probably chairs, but payments isn't the best way to go if you can help it. :) Maybe check out some yard sales too. You have probably thought of all that, but... :)
My husband is going to build me some benches that we can use as a corner dining room unit because we also really are short on space. So maybe keep something like that in mind. My benches are also going to double as storage inside! I like to make the most out of the furniture and space I have...maybe that will spark some ideas in your mind.
So sorry about the death. We recently had a couple ourselves. One was my hubby's Grandpa. We were expecting that, he has been struggling with cancer for a bit now and we knew it was a matter of time. My cousin though, was 24 and killed by a drunk driver...that has been hard.

Keep us posted on what happens with your situation. :)
God bless you!

Unknown said...

Stopping by from SITS! Sorry I don't have any good advice on this matter, being a non-US resident. We do have Ikea over here, and I bought my entire house furniture there for a song. They do have good stuff, and cheap too.

All the best on your dilemma-solving!

God bless!

Unknown said...

Searching to Buy Dining Room Furniture at reasonable prices, then log on to Spacify.com.

Steph said...

IKEA! My whole house is outfitted in IKEA!

...stopping by from SITS...

Steph @ Stick It in the Fridge

pleasestickitinthefridge.blogspot.com

w said...

Kathy, what is SITS? I was at IKEA yesterday, thinking of you and looking at dining stuff. I've been wanting to find a better dining solution myself! I saw online: chair hangers! If you have limited space, you might think of how you can go Shaker-style: hanging chairs, putting furniture on casters so you can move it over easy, etc. Any progress? :D

Christine H. said...

Okay, so I'm going to have people hating me, but I don't think Ikea furniture is good quality fro the long haul. I have heard this from so many people. And what's the point of buying new if it's not going to last. Maybe I'm wrong about the Ikea quality...We have a store in Ventura called the Couch Potato on Main street. Very reasonable prices. We got our dining room table and chairs 8 years ago and it has been through teen-agers coming over and playing spoons on it and treating it pretty hard, and now my little girls...anyway, I suggest buying quality, and new if you can so it will last a long time. I'm rambling...

Susan Cook said...

Everyone is saying Ikea, I have never been there or looked at there furniture so I have no idea. We bought a kitchen table (I don't have a dining room) at a local furniture place. That is when I had money too.

Thanks for stopping by my blog. :) Good luck with what ever you decide.

Anonymous said...

I would buy the new set at JC penny. I think you deserve it..plus it's gorgeous!

Pamela said...

I LOVE Ikea! We have alot of furniture from there. As far as quality, we have a fiesty 2yr old and our furniture has been absolutely reliable. I would also suggest Target online. I bought a desk and chair from there and it was afford and sturdy and really pretty. Thrift stores, you have to continously look but you can sometimes find amazing pieces! Good luck and I can't wait to hear what you do!

Just A Normal Mom said...

I have to agree with Ikea - my cousin got a huge table with bench on one side (that has extra STORAGE under it). Works out great. No, it's not top end quality, but would certainly work. The other option you might try is an unfinished furniture store - then finish it yourself. The stains and urethane top coat aren't that expensive and the furniture is cheaper unfinished. You just have to put in the man power. I second the idea of seeing if the hardware store will cut your chair seat pieces. Even if they charge you a few bucks it will be way cheaper than paying someone to recover. And last - I DID switch our family room and dining room - SO much more functional. It's only furniture, if it doesn't work, move it back!

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