New (To Me) Vintage Kitchen Table
I love my kitchen. It's a nice size at 13-1/2 feet by 13-1/2 feet which gives me lots of space. Last year I decided to make use of some of the open floor space and have some seating by making an island out of salvaged cabinets like I did for my mom previously. I've never really been happy with it because it it blocks the view of my sink, which is my favorite part of my kitchen. 
On Saturday I went to one of my favorite places to find things, The Treasure Mart. It's a consignment shop in town selling housewares and furniture ranging from antiques to mid-Century with a few more modern pieces scattered in. On this trip, buried under a bunch of toys and hiding behind a Betty Boop poster and a framed picture of a statue of Buddha I spotted an awesome vintage table. The table had a white and red enamel table top with leaves that pulled out at either side. I knew it would be just perfect in my kitchen.
The cherry on top was the price. The table was originally marked $100 but I got it for $60. The Treasure Mart marks the date that items come in and every month that it sits in the store the price gets reduced by 10%. Since the table had come in back at the end of March I got a 40% discount. What a great deal! In no time I purchased the table, squeezed it into the back of my little hatchback and had it home.
I think the table looks great in my kitchen and it makes everything more open. The red and white is so cheerful and lightens things up a lot more than the heavy cabinet island.
The table has some light scratches so I need to figure out how to spruce that up. Also, the legs are cream so I plan to paint them the same color white as my cabinets. I also want to find some new stools to go with the table.
The pull out leaves are wonderful and nearly double the workspace when necessary. Being an engineer I love the old wood glide and and spring mechanism that makes the leaves work. I like the flexibility of being able to have them open or close them up.
Do you think that the table looks better than the island? Do you have any tips for sprucing up enamel? Have you scored any great deals lately?
Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at 8:27AM | Posted by Lisa | 8 Comments | Share Article | Email Article | Print Article 
Reader Comments (8)
I think it looks great!! I like it so much more than the old island. The old island feels so heavy in the middle of the room.
Your blog has inspired me to declutter and get rid of things. Check out my blog when you get a chance. I worked on my closet. It feels so nice in there now!
Great job, Lisa!
You did score a great deal. While I liked the solid island it surprises me to say I do like the openness of the table. Great work top space. Have you lost much storage switching? Can you reuse the current stools by painting to match the table? Although I "see" round stools with the table. I thought I did ok today with a 0.25 deal on a small metal flower pot with an old rose decal - a container for my pens that I keep beside my bed for journal writing or any of those great ideas that happen just before sleep. I have only ever stripped enamel off wood and then stained. It is hard work.
You did score a great deal. While I liked the solid island it surprises me to say I do like the openness of the table. Great work top space. Have you lost much storage switching? Can you reuse the current stools by painting to match the table? Although I "see" round stools with the table. I thought I did ok today with a 0.25 deal on a small metal flower pot with an old rose decal - a container for my pens that I keep beside my bed for journal writing or any of those great ideas that happen just before sleep. I have only ever stripped enamel off wood and then stained. It is hard work.
Rene- Thank you! I'm glad that my blog has been inspiring. Your closet looks nice and neat now. I hope all is going well as you settle into your new place.
Mary-Lou- Thank you! I didn't lose any storage space because I didn't have anything in the island. I have plenty of storage with the rest of my cabinets. The current stools are too tall for the table so I plan to use them elsewhere. I actually ordered some round stools for $18 each. It sounds like you got an awesome deal on the flower pot.
Your new table looks great - and the rug in front of your sink ties everything together perfectly. :)
Linda- Thank you! The rug is a Christmas rug that I got on sale online from Crate and Barrel after the holidays a few years back.
Where did you find new springs?
I know this is an old blog, but can you tell me how the spring/springs work? I inherited one with only a piece of a spring in one leaf. Any help will be welcomed.