Help me choose a breakfast room table

[appletini]

Okay, so when we moved into our house last year, our friends were also moving into a house around the corner from us, and their breakfast room table didn''t work in their new house, and since we didn''t have one, they let us borrow theirs. Well I need to finally get my own table. I''m torn between two and I need your help.

The Vintner Table
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=875&f=24271

pros:
--has storage
--table top blends well with kitchen counter granite
--can also fold down sides to put it against the wall as a bar for a party
-- counter height stools could be used as "stadium seating" in the den for football watching parties

cons:
--counter height so chairs can''t be used with any other tables
--we have a wine chiller and built in wine racks, so we don''t really need the extra wine storage


The Avalon Table
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=875&f=27637

pros:
--has a leaf so can be made larger for more seating for parties/holidays
--chairs can are normal height so can also be used with folding table or other dining room table when the all the leaves are in that one



Here is a pic of my breakfast room

 

[lyra]

I chose the Avalon because I find counter height tables/chairs to be uncomfortable to sit at for long periods. Plus it ends up looking like too much counter in a smaller area IMO. Okay, edited because I thought the table in the pic was already yours. So I guess your friends wouldn't appreciate you painting it white!

 

[appletini]

lyra, they had actually offered to sell it to us a long time ago, but if i''m going to buy something its going to be what i want, so at the time it was like we were both doing each other a favor. Anyway I don''t like chairs on our borrowed table because they are so big...and of the two tables I like, they have the same chairs--which I do love, just differnt heights.

 

[sumbride]

I also voted for the Avalon because I don''t like counter-height stools for more than a few minutes at a time. I think you''ll get more use out of the traditional height and enjoy it more. You probably aren''t so limited for space that you have to push it up against the wall at parties, right? I''m thinking you''re in Texas? Were it me here in Baltimore, I''d definitely go with the other one, but we actually have a round table with a leaf in our dining area and it''s been fine.... and at parties that''s where we put the food!

 

[appletini]

Sumbride, yes we do have plenty of room in there...the avalon could also be a great buffet table, plus I do like the leaf expansion option...not something we use often, but its great to have for when we do need it. My regular dining table has two leaves so I can go from 6-10 seats.

 

[Tacori E-ring]

I like the Avalon and thought of buying it (in black) but was disappointment in the quality. I would not do counter top height. Don''t like them and if you plan to have kids soon might not be practical. So I guess I vote for neither.

 

[monarch64]

Voted Avalon for same reasons mentioned above. Tacori''s concern with quality would make me hesitant, though, would you buy it online and have to pay their crazy delivery fee? Can you see it in store first before you make the decision?

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Monnie, I was *so* disappointed b/c it is totally my style. I ended up getting a set from Ashley''s Furniture.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

I like the first one. I''m a sucker for a pub style table. I''m still trying to find one... seems all I find are square and we want round.

I LOVE the color of your kitchen. I''m aching to paint ours green....

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Date: 5/9/2008 5:29:46 PM
Author: Tacori E-ring
I like the Avalon and thought of buying it (in black) but was disappointment in the quality. I would not do counter top height. Don''t like them and if you plan to have kids soon might not be practical. So I guess I vote for neither.

Dang, I thought higher would be better for baby... high chairs and all that.

No?

 

[monarch64]

Date: 5/11/2008 2:09:10 AM
Author: Tacori E-ring
Monnie, I was *so* disappointed b/c it is totally my style. I ended up getting a set from Ashley''s Furniture.

What about Pottery Barn? I always wonder what the difference in quality is, if there is a difference...

Tacori, I don''t know Ashley''s, is it a NC chain?

Fisher, I think high chairs are made to be tall enough for regular height tables, not the pub height such as the second choice in this poll. (I think...I could be totally off here and I am sure I will be corrected if so!)

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Haha... I never even thought about that. I just thought it made since. Somewhere in my head, it did. I guess if we end up with a pub and a baby, the baby will be eating in the dining room.

 

[monarch64]

Date: 5/11/2008 2:48:50 AM
Author: fisherofmengirly
Haha... I never even thought about that. I just thought it made since. Somewhere in my head, it did. I guess if we end up with a pub and a baby, the baby will be eating in the dining room.

ROFL! I don''t have children either...I have just been inundated with baby shower registries the past few years so I guess that''s where my knowledge comes from (if it''s even correct). If it were up to me, baby would be in the highchair facing the sink so everything would be really easily cleaned up! Just kidding! I have seen evidence that the best way to clean up after baby in a high chair is having a dog (or possibly pet goat) nearby to "vacuum" up all debris. LOL! Ok, I''m officially a terrible person and Tacori will most likely hunt me down and flog me.

 

[Rhea]

I like the vinter table, I really do. It looks well designed and I love the storage under it. But I voted for the avalon table. In the space that you took a photo of I think it''ll just look better and be more comfortable.

 

[fisherofmengirly]

Haha... Paul loved the idea of high chairing the baby over the sink. "Less to clean. I like that idea, baby."

How funny!!!

Anyway, back to the original post, having the extra storage would always be good, too.

 

[golden]

Check out this table as well
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p6101/index.cfm?pkey=gTHMDKB

 

[Tacori E-ring]

Fisher, I guess I am thinking when they are OUT of the highchair. I think of my 3 year old neighbor. I can''t imagine him getting up on a bar stool w/o help every time. Plus Monnie is right they are the height of "normal" tables.

Monnie, I know they have it in Ohio too....Not sure how many locations. Basically MIL and I went to our "furniture row" and looked at every place. It was so tiring! Monnie I fed Tessa yesterday in the bathtub. Look at my photos on the preggo board and you''ll understand why!

 

[sera]

I voted for the Vitner. I really like the style. Extra storage is always nice too.

I agree with others that I wouldn''t like it for long periods of time, but for breaksfast I think it''s great. I also like it for parties and the stadium seating. We actually have a couple in our youth group room and always use the stadium seating.

 

[zoebartlett]

I do like both but I voted for the Avalon because it seems like the storage area could potentially become a dust magnet. I''d also be afraid of banging my legs on the storage section. The *idea* of storage is a good one but I don''t know if it would get much use.

 

[moremoremore]

I voted Avalon on looks alone...as for functionaliy, I have no advice... I've got my own problems LOL...JK

That said, I'd get the table, not the matching chairs. ( why did I bold that....LOL..guess I really mean it

) I would do some black and white or some stained wood and white beat up wood ones to tie into the rest of the kitchen...I don't like matchy matchy

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/12/2008 8:09:33 PM
Author: ZoeBartlett
I do like both but I voted for the Avalon because it seems like the storage area could potentially become a dust magnet. I''d also be afraid of banging my legs on the storage section. The *idea* of storage is a good one but I don''t know if it would get much use.

ditto, Apple, I love your colors, you should post more pics! I love your kitchen, it is so bright and airy.

 

[appletini]

Thanks Skippy! I spend a lot of time in there.

The table is going to be the avalon. However before I go to C&B, there is another place in town that for much less $$ had order from the manufacturers that C&B and PB use, so I''m going to see what they can do and if the price is significantly less. Plus I''ve been wanting to get a new sofa...so DH wants to me do it all at once.

 

[Skippy123]

Date: 5/16/2008 10:33:06 AM
Author: appletini
Thanks Skippy! I spend a lot of time in there.

The table is going to be the avalon. However before I go to C&B, there is another place in town that for much less $$ had order from the manufacturers that C&B and PB use, so I'm going to see what they can do and if the price is significantly less. Plus I've been wanting to get a new sofa...so DH wants to me do it all at once.

Yay for possibly saving money, post pics when it arrives pls

 

[Croí]

Hi Apple !
Just tracked you down ... went to LIW for my yearly check-in. Unfortunately, I also spent time reading and searching and now my little man is awake so I have to go but I''ll check in later.

Good luck with the table decision !

C

 

[appletini]

Update: I did order the avalon table and chairs, they are being delivered...I will post pics...thanks for your help ladies.

Croi, Thanks for checking in...great to "see" you!

 

[Erin]

Hi Croi!!!

Check in more often, Lady!

 

[golden]

Here is a great set, my boyfriend''s sister has it and they love it.

http://www.fortunoff.com/catalog/ensemble.jsp?ensembleId=68568&parentCategoryId=2000000&categoryId=109100&subCategoryId=100010&subSubCategoryId=100102