For those of you who have been following me for a long time, you know how much I disliked my brown wood Henredon dining table that I have had since 1983. It has been a love/hate relationship for a long time. What I loved about it was that it was 45" wide and 134" long. If you have shopped for dining tables lately, you know that makers have reduced the width to 40" or 42" and it is hard to find wide ones. Likewise, long ones over 108". When tables are 40" wide using a runner is difficult as it doesn't leave enough room for chargers at the place settings and using placemats doesn't look good either. So I loved the size and that it had two pedestals so chairs slipped under the edges nicely -- having no apron skirt that chair arms slammed into. It also had casters so I could roll it around. It certainly didn't look Swedish. But that BROWN wood just sucked up light and not much in the way of china or linens went well with it. It has been with me for 34 years almost part of the family. I have threatened to paint it many times but just didn't have the courage to "ruin" it.
So I was looking in the clearance section of a local furniture store one day last summer and found this table for $713 plus $75 delivery that was a HOT mess. It had shipping damage on the leaves and top. It would only sell to someone who wanted to fix it up. And, it was BROWN, of course. Doesn't anybody make a white table????
What I liked about it was that it was 46" wide, an inch wider than mine, but shorter at 116 inches. But it would blend with Swedish decor if painted. In my next house, I want a large kitchen where I can put a kitchen table in place of an island. So I thought this would work if I could use wood filler in the holes and nicks and paint it. They are still selling that style table for $2,000 + tax and delivery. I was happy with my bargain.
You should have seen the delivery man's face when I wouldn't let him take it in the front door and told him to go around back and put it upside down on the patio. I primed it and enameled it icy grey with a black pepper top. I used it as a display table at the shop for a while then it went to storage. Last week I had the movers put it in my dining room at the house and put the Henredon one in storage.
I do love the light color. Oval back chairs are Swede Collection in pale grey.
I decided to do a simple tablescape in grey and white before I have to do Thanksgiving decor.
I bought a large oriental bowl on stand at the Stock Exchange charity consignment store in August and filled it with shells and coral. Spray painted the brown stand with grey paint for $7.
A couple years ago I found a graduated set of platters. This is the smallest one. Transferware made in England in 1849 according to the mark on the back side. This one is called "morning". Loved the ladies. It is hard to find antique transferware in grey.
I love to mix china, new, vintage and old. This is a new Anna Weatherley charger, Richard Ginori Italian "Torino" pattern dinner plate, which I think is discontinued, and on top an antique French monogrammed plate. I LOVE gold monogrammed china. The grey/white runner is from Williams-Sonoma. French opaline goblet and Simon-Pearce twist stem in "Stratton" pattern. Ricci gold flatware.
When I find gold monogrammed china it is almost always in mint condition. Always "saved for good company" and never used.
This little man I absolutely LOVE who adopted us is dressed in his tuxedo ready for a formal dinner.
Now that I have photoed the table it is time to set it with turkey plates.
All the best,
Colleen
