Last week I was all over dining room tables as the holidays approach. There is nothing like hosting a crowd to get items crossed off the to-do list, is there??
I’ve been eyeing big farmhouse tables for over two years, since we reduced our seating capacity by two-thirds when we moved here, and hosting a crowd for a meal is a bit challenging.
Did I also mention that my children are growing exponentially??? Particularly one person – that little darling in the middle who turned fourteen this fall?
These days, meals with just the five of us are making the table seem lilliputian! Forget about having our extended family here.
However, we want to take our time and find a table that suits all of our needs (the right size, extensions, color) and I also don’t need to pass out cold when the credit card statement arrives in January, thankyouverymuch.
Instead, I’m taking the suggestion of a very clever lady to make my current table work for a crowd until we find the perfect table for us. More on that tomorrow!
In the meantime, I made a very exciting purchase yesterday!! Still in it’s birthday suit (the slipcovers are in the mail)….I present to you one of two host chairs!
For – ever I have had slipcovered host chairs in mind for our {future} table. I have been researching them for months. When I googled the Heriksdal Armchair from Ikea, I just about cried when one of my very favorite kitchens popped up…..
This is Joan’s kitchen from the blog For The Love Of A House. Do you know it? The loved house is a farmhouse in New Hampshire that Joan and her husband have been restoring. The home and property are absolutely gorgeous. Never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined that these chairs of Joan’s would be within my budget. It turns out Joan’s kitchen is a fabulous example of high/low….the cabinets, countertops, flooring and appliances are all high-end. The rug is from Lowes and yes, the chairs are from Ikea.
I had to show my wary husband Joan’s post on the details of her kitchen so he would believe me that even beautifully decorated homes like this can have furniture from Ikea in them. I gave him a little lesson in the high-low concept and knew the chairs were to be mine when his eyes started glossing over. There is only so much discussion about decor that the poor man can take before he just gives in!
I checked online and they were in stock, so I hightailed it on down to the only Ikea in Massachusetts. {A good cup of coffee and some tunes are necessary for this little roadtrip.} I was so fired up to find the dining chair area; I practically ran through the store. Well – Murphy’s Law kicked in. While the computer system showed 3 in stock, only one was to be found in the self-service furniture area (the warehouse for unassembled furniture). Turns out, the chair I had set my heart on has been discontinued. Ooooof course. Did I mention I bought the slipcovers for these chairs on eBay before I bought the actual chairs??
I roamed the store searching for any sign of another Henriksdal armchair, and had just about given up hope as I headed toward the checkout line. Out of the corner of my eye I spied the AS IS section and figured it was worth a little looksie….and what did I find????
Yeah baby!! The floor model, naked but in perfect condition, clean, sturdy and discounted! On top of the as-is discount, Ikea also offers 10% off as-is furniture on Wednesdays!
I’m hoping the slipcovers will be here by Thanksgiving day, but either way, I am feeling very thankful for my good fortune! Our vision for the dining room is ever so slowly coming to be.
I’m also feeling so very grateful for all the friendships this blog has brought my way! Thank you for being a part of Shine Your Light, for your wonderful ideas and encouragement, and for taking a moment out of your busy day to stop by!
pam {simple details} says
NO WAY!!! Oh my goodness, I am so excited for you ~ I LOVE them, they are so you, and will be fabulous with your new table! 🙂 Did you get down on your knees and say thank you in the middle of the AS IS section?
Ange says
I've been MIA but here I am, just in time to see your way fabulous chair finds! Love them! I've missed you! I need to see what else has been going around here.
Calypso In The Country says
Unbelievable! How lucky was that! I always seem to get that "discontinued bad luck" but it is usually my own fault for waiting too long! So happy for you!
-Shelley
Kristin @ My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia says
Oh wow, can't wait to see them dressed up! So pretty. Hmmm….have you tried world market or z gallerie for tables, I think they are a little less sticker shock then PB and other places. WOW, the little ones grow so fast, where does time go? OK If I don't make it back Happy Thanksgiving to you my friend. So happy to have a friendship with you.
XO
Cassie @ Primitive & Proper says
i can't wait to see them all dressed up, too!!! they will add such weight- great idea!
Dana Frieling says
Oh my goodness, I'm so glad this story had a happy ending. I kept thinking, "No! She's been so patient, they can't be discontinued!" They were certainly meant to be, my friend.
My Crafty Home Life says
Where to begin…my son is taller than me, too. In fact, I am now the shortest person in the house. I love seeing a Patriots shirt. Here in NJ, my husband and daughter are the strange Patriots fans. Finally, that is the perfect hostess chair. I am also glad to hear that you are making your current table work. More money for that portico 😉
Adelina Priddis says
That was a stroke of luck for you! My husband LOVES Ikea, no joke. When we remodeled our last kitchen, we actually got all the cupboards and countertop from them.
I just had a "memory" surface reading this. When I was a kid, my dad built a table top. Basically a large piece of wood, sanded, and finished that we would put on top of our table. With 6 kids, an Aunt Uncle and Grandma living with us, plus frequent guests, it really worked well.
Kelly @ View Along the Way says
Oh YAAAY! They will be PERFECT. I'm excited to see 'em all slipcovered!
Jennifer @ Dimples and Tangles says
Way to be persistent and not give up! I LOVE stories like this one, because those kind of things happen to me too. So excited about your chairs, and can't wait to see them all dressed up. And yes, that is one of my all time favorite kitchens, too! It's absolutely perfect. I die over the brick fireplace, round table, comfy chairs, beautiful counters, and perfect styling!