Table for Two

As you may have noticed from the pictures posted yesterday, the kitchen has a very large open space that just begs to be filled.

Wide open

While the cabinet definitely helped fill in a little bit of that, there was still something missing.  The light fixture just seemed so sad and lonely over there in the corner.  I figured the most obvious thing to throw in there would be a nice little table for two.  I could turn it into a cozy little nook for Chris and I to eat our breakfast and sip espressos at while having extremely intelligent conversations about cryogenic carbon capture and sequestration.   Well...he would have them while I smiled and nodded at appropriate moments.

So I set out on my quest to find the perfect little bistro table for an affordable price.  Since I'm working on a pretty tight budget here, I figured the most reasonable thing to do would be to search for a second-hand one.  The first places to check were online sites Craigslist and KSL classifieds (Chris filled me in on this one).  The most efficient way would be finding it online and only having to drive one place and pick it up.  No dice.  There were very few bar height tables even listed on the sites and none that were small enough and cheap enough.  This search was one of my first wake up calls that I wasn't in Portland anymore.  Try typing in anything with the word "bar" and you don't get many results here.

Next step was to look up thrift shops.  There was one in Springville and two in Provo.  "B" is actually a mobile home park.  I know this for sure because I actually drove there thinking I was headed to "A".  Fail.

Let's compare that to Portland.

Oh I was so spoiled and I didn't even know it.

First stop was to the place in Springville called Wandering Wardrobe.  The lady was extremely friendly, but informed me that she hadn't had a bistro/bar/pub table come through the shop in about two years.  She got my phone number just in case though.  They actually had some really cool other furniture, but I figured I should be good and hold off.

Next place was called Pak Rat's up in Provo.  I annoyed many people driving there because the speed limit was 50mph and I was going about 35mph trying to squint at signs in the glaring sun.  If you've ever driven in Utah you know that it is absolutely insane.  Flow of traffic typically runs about 10mph over the limit.  And to actually slow down for a yellow light...people will think you are crazy.

While I did not find a bar table at Pak Rat's, I did find an end table that matches very closely to the dining table set that Mary and Steve donated to Chris's cause a few years back when he first moved.  The color on the legs wasn't what I wanted, but since I'm planning on eventually repainting the dining table, I figured I could paint this baby too and it would be well worth the $20 price tag.  Still in darn good shape, just needs a little sanding and color love.

New end table for the living room

Last stop for thrift stores was Deseret Industries.  It is Utah's version of Goodwill.  Giant.  And very well organized.  That place was absolutely packed with people.  But alas, no bar table.  Just kitchen tables built for six.

At this point I was ready to give up hope that I would find what I wanted.  I was about to settle on a regular dining table height, four person round when I passed my first furniture store on the way back to the freeway.  Quickly swooped in to check it out.  No luck, but it refreshed my spirit enough to check out other furniture stores on the way home.

Next hit was Pier 1.  They had the perfect one...but it was $250.  Whomp, whomp.

Pier 1 find *sigh*

Last stop on my trip is RC Willey.  As soon as I set foot in there I knew I wouldn't be able to afford anything, but for some reason my feet kept propelling me towards the dining area.  Turned the corner and there she was...my new kitchen bistro table.

Score!

 It is slightly shorter than my ideal, but since I'm short I think it worked out better this way.  This baby was originally $150, but on clearance for only $50 for the 3 piece set.  Yahoo!  I was so proud of myself for not giving up.  The only disappointing thing was that I had to wait until the next day to pick it up.  LAME.  Good thing Chris works only 5 minutes away.

All in all, it was a very successful day.  Two needed pieces of furniture for only $70.  While they may not be lifetime pieces, they'll certainly do for now!

Here is the exciting site I saw the next day when Chris brought home my new table.  Apparently it barely squeezed into his car.  Phew.  Didn't even think about that one!

Boxed goodness

This is me assembling the table.  I had to shoo Papa John away as he thought I couldn't do it on my own.  Ten whole screws.  Real tough.

Assembly

And finally the finished table in it's new home.

Deco 1

Since I'm refraining from buying new decor for awhile, I have to make due with what I already own.  Which temporary look do you like better?  The above or below?

Deco 2

Any other super cheap ideas to spruce up the kitchen?