Young House Love

Home Decorating & DIY Tutorials

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Finding A Restoration Hardware Table For Cheap

(You’ll get the meaning of that post title in a minute)

Exciting news, guys – we finally found something to take the spot of our too-small pedestal table in the eat-in part of our kitchen.

Eating Area

And we’re happy to report that it’s a lot more proportionate – and functional! – for the space. Now we can seat six or even eight people in a pinch, which has already proven to be useful with our big families (and my spread-out-all-the-tear-sheets propensities). Of course we’re still on the hunt for dining chairs so these are just for the meantime, but man, it’s such an upgrade to have room for adult sized plates again.

Restorationtable9

Just try not to stare too hard at pretty much anything except for the table. So ignore the faux-brick vinyl flooring, all that wood everywhere, and that graph-tastic wallpaper (I’ve already stripped about half of the room– so I owe you a post about that). Let’s just say that when we’re done with this kitchen, the table should make a lot more sense “in context.” In fact, here’s a similar table in a pretty BHG kitchen. Nice, right?

And you’ll never guess where this baby is originally from. I’ll give you a hint. It rhymes with Festoration Blardware.

Pedestal Table Rh

But we didn’t pay $1795 – $2495 for ours. It actually turned up at one of our favorite local shops called The Decorating Outlet (which is the outlet for Shades of Light). It’s where a lot of returned merchandise or used-once-for-a-catalog-shoot items end up – so it’s an awesome place to score a deal (we bought the pendants in our last house’s kitchen and our old bedroom rug that now lives in Clara’s room there). Turns out this 60″ table hails from Restoration Hardware (where it’s sold for $2095) and it was just used a few times in some catalog shots before it sat in a storage room for a while and eventually ended up at the outlet… priced at a cool $650 (a 70% markdown!).

The top is awesomely weathered and the whole thing is made of reclaimed wood (so no two are ever alike). As a mom I like that Clara and the bun can beat on this table until the cows come home and all of those dents will be filed under “character.” See, when I was growing up we had a shiny lacquered table and it was waaaay too precious (there was a certain especially intense spirographing incident where I scratched it and never lived to hear the end of it).

Restorationtable7

It’s nice to know that now I can spirigraph my little heart out without fear of marring some perfectly smooth surface. And really, isn’t that the definition of happiness?

Table Rustic Top

The fact that it’s such a well-made, solid piece makes us so happy (it’s crazy heavy! there’s nothing hollow or veneered about it). I’m hoping it will be one of those hand-down-to-your-kids pieces that outlives me and John. Who knows, maybe in 2113 our great great grandkids will be spirographing the days away on it. Sigh. Update: We’ve had a few questions about where our dining table from our previous house is, and the answer is that it’s in the dining room. The reason we didn’t contemplate bringing that into the eat-in kitchen area is because it’s around a foot wider (70?) and has larger chairs, so it works better in there and would be too cramped for the kitchen.

Restorationtable8

So that marks the second piece of furniture we’ve purchased since moving in around four months ago (which seems to be our pattern since we moved into our second house and bought our sectional and our dining table within a few months). Between our new West Elm dresser and this score of a table, so far we’ve spent $750 less than we did on those two initial purchases for our last house – but since our sunroom makeover is going to come in a bit higher than our patio project (which was the first big DIY undertaking that we tackled four months into that house) we’re most likely going to be on exactly the same track with the ol’ bank balance. Isn’t it funny how these things seem to have a pattern?

All mathy comparisons aside, we’re psyched to have two well-made furniture additions in our new house – especially since slowly acquiring more quality pieces was our goal here (we’ll always love thrift stores and Ikea along with building stuff, but we hope to have a nice mix of things in this forever home of ours). Now if only we could get the chairs for this table right on the first try. If our former dining room chair debacle is any indication, it might be a long road…

But at least our table is pretty. Even with our shinnnny fake brick floors. Just focus on this still life with lemon. Don’t look down.

Tabletop Detail2

Anyone else buying furniture? Or saving up for something solid and beat-up-able?

Comments

  2. Martha says

    Oh man, I wish, wish, wish you would do the kitchen make-over soon! If this table is any indication, I am going to love it and Pin all of the associated posts.

    But alas, I am a responsible reader and I totally understand why you’re waiting to do a major reno. Now off to sulk . . .

    Reply

    • Joan says

      Speaking of the House Tour page, will you get a chance to update it soon? You have made so much progress since the last update!

      The House Tour is one of my favorite sections of your blog. I like seeing eye candy all at once. :)

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Oh yes it’s on the list! I keep putting off taking photos of some areas since they’re sort of mid-project (tiling the sunroom, peeling the kitchen wallpaper, and we’re also working on Clara’s wall above her bed too!). Soon I hope!

      xo
      s

  4. ae reed says

    OMG I LOOOOOVED the comment about the intense spirographing incident!! Those things were tricky and required much concentration and skill…who had time to worry what it was doing to the table!! :) LOL

    Reply

    • Kathrynk says

      Seriously. I flunked out of spirographing so hard. Even the stick-your-tongue-out-while-you-do-it-method didn’t help. (Totally looking for one on Amazon right now. I *will* slay this dragon!)

  5. Jess @ Little House. Big Heart. says

    The nostalgia in this post! I used to LOVE spirographing when I was little (and had a similar incident on our kitchen table) AND my grandmother’s house growing up had faux brick floors. We used to drive mini-Hotwheels along the faux grout for hours!

    Oh, and your table is GORGEOUS. I need to find an outlet like that!

    Reply

  6. Heidi says

    That is such an amazing deal! That’s a gorgeous table and if it looks that good in the space now just imagine how pretty it is going to be once the kitchen is remodeled. Congratulations on such a great find. I might have to check out the Decorating Outlet when I’m in Richmond next month for the Richmond Marathon.

    http://jax-and-jewels.blogspot.com

    Reply

  8. Lisa @ Double Door Ranch says

    Gorgeouuuuus!! (I sang that in my head the whole time I was reading.)

    Did you know there’s a Spirograph app?? No kitchen table casualties anymore! Kids these days have it so easy. And by kids, I mean me because I play on it all the time.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      That’s in the dining room (this is the eat-in area of the kitchen, so we wanted a table instead of adding an off-centered island with stools since a casual breakfast table seemed more functional with this layout).

      xo
      s

  10. Annabel Vita says

    It’s gorgeous and I can totally see it looking good in lots of different rooms – which makes for great heirloom potential! My mum’s dining room table is from her grandparent’s house and it’s gorgeous, but “ruined” by scratches from my grandma’s belt buckle when she was spun on it as a child, but obviously that stuff all makes it better when you keep it in the family!

    The dining table we use was my grandma’s kitchen table and I love love love it (although it gets more use for sewing than anything else!). You can see it in our messy living room here: http://www.annabelvita.com/2012/10/19/stashing-sewing-stuff-in-living-room/

    Reply

  11. katie {deranchification} says

    Love, love, love the new table! We got our kitchen table from the PB Outlet, and since it was already scratched and dented, we haven’t had to worry about any further character being added to it. I wouldn’t ever confuse it with being a beautiful table, though. I would love to get a reclaimed wood table – beautiful with additional character-adding-capacity :)

    Reply

  12. Wendy @ New Moms Talk says

    We went to a no kill animal shelter garage sale this weekend looking for dressers, but couldn’t find any. We asked the main guy and he took our number, told us about an off-site house where they keep bigger items, and said he’d call us later.

    2 hours later, we were looking through a garage filled with items. I saw dresser drawers, that they were dove-tailed, and declared we wanted it without looking at the front.

    We settled on a price- $40, again without even seeing the front or the condition. When they moved everything out so we could get the dresser, it was a gorgeous antique, 9-drawer dresser that needed to be refinished. Perfect!

    It’s too big for our daughter’s room, but will go in ours. We’re bumping our dresser to the dining room to be used as a buffet which we needed!

    Reply

  13. Joan Diehl says

    I love that table! Like you, I’m always looking to add to my collection of quality furniture pieces. But, man, that stuff can be expensive! I do love those Restoration Hardware tables though. Can you tell me more about the quality? I saw a few of them at an outlet and they were all torn up and didn’t actually feel like real wood? They sure do look nice in blogs and in catalogs though! And where is The Decorating Outlet? I’m in DC, but may be able to make a trek for some deals if its worth it. Thanks!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Weird! I think if you see something in a branded outlet, sometimes it’s a lower brand piece made for the outlet (I learned that about Banana Republic, sometimes the clothes are made cheaper for the outlet and sold cheaper so people think it’s a deal but it’s just a lower quality “outlet” line). So maybe the tables there weren’t real wood? Ours wasn’t from an RH Outlet, it was purchased directly from RH and then used in a few shoots and then ended up in the furniture outlet here in Richmond so maybe that explains it? Ours is definitely made from gorgeous old planks of solid wood for that rustic/reclaimed vibe. It’s like old beat up 2x4s were molded into a table and somehow curved around the edge and the base. It’s easily the nicest piece of furniture we’ve owned. As for The Decorating Outlet, it’s here in Richmond on Midlothian. I think it comes up if you google it. Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

    • Julie says

      I used to work at a call center for Restoration Hardware. The items at their Outlet stores are items that were returned (because they were damaged, but still salvageable, or arrived from the vendor in a condition not able to be sold full price through a regular store/online.) At least that is what I was told during training.

  14. karen says

    Wow, you guys are my superheros when it comes to finding deals!!!!

    Question: Are you planning on staining it, painting it, decoupaging it (har har)???

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Aw thanks Karen! My tip is just to hold out until you find something you love. We have been here 4+ months just eating on a tiny table and keeping an eye out for something better, so it definitely wasn’t the first place we looked, but it was worth the wait! As for the finish, I love the unfinished raw look (if you click the link in the post to the BHG kitchen you can sort of imagine it in a lighter room with white trim, etc). Ahh, can’t wait!

      xo
      s

  15. Steph says

    silly question but does anyone know of a good online resource to track down stores like this?! We are in MA and would LOVE to find a good home decor place like this… we really only know about Habitat restores and Homegoods… halp?!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I like to just ask around (friends, neighbors, at a fabric store I’ll ask where the furniture they reupholster comes from, etc). I also like googling things like “Richmond outlet” and just seeing what comes up (along with “Richmind thrift store” or “Richmond wholesale”). And don’t forget craigslist too! Hope it helps!

      xo
      s

    • Kim says

      LOVE the table and love reclaimed type pieces. I can not wait to trade out our very traditional/formal dining room set one day for one of my own choosing.
      I was going to ask the same question – how to find places like the lighting outlet that has been mentioned and this place. I too am in MA so if anyone has any ideas, please share.

  16. Sherri says

    Gosh- it’s gorgeous. What a steal. And when I checked out the BH&G picture, you can definitely see that it’s a shining star, statement piece. I love that you aren’t impulsive, take your time, and find these quality pieces that are so cost-effective.

    Reply

  18. Geertrude says

    Wow, that is one big, solid table! I love it. It even looks great in that not-supposed-to-look-at-it kitchen ;-)
    Our table is scratchy, denty and discolored, but I don’t mind. It’s the right size for our tiny living room and has two big detractable leaves to make it huge for family to have diner with us. I bought it secondhand for 15 euro, so it already had a history and after years of use in our family it’s still going strong. I love furniture like that.

    Reply

  19. Emma (Broke Ass Home) says

    Just a warning guys that Kenz @ Interiors by Kenz just got this table and her guys warned her that it water marks REALLY easily. They suggested not using it without a piece of glass on it- she got one off craigslist.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Emma! So good to know! We’ll definitely keep you guys posted and add a top or seal it if we have issues! I love that it’s raw wood so I can just sand it even if there’s some crazy stain, though!

      xo
      s

    • Lauren says

      You could also just call it “patina”, especially since you know beforehand it can happen! Pretty table!

  20. amc says

    Thought you guys might want to know that there are some racy ads running in your bottom right advertisement box. I’ve seen two. One said “dominance by Equinox” with a scantily clad couple and the other said “action. by Equinox.” I think it’s a gym ad, but I didn’t click.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Gross, thanks AMC! They’re supposed to be home focused so I have no idea what a gym ad is doing there! They show up differently depending on the region (so we might never see them while they’re being served in your area) so thanks for the tip! We never would have known. Off to try and block that for ya!

      xo
      s

  21. Cassie says

    I too grew up wi a “shiny lacquered table” that we weren’t to touch except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and sometimes birthdays. I had to hear stories about how it survived a fire and blah blah blah!!

    Right now my dad is restoring my great grandpa’s original retro 50s table (I’m talking chrome and vinyl) and chairs for me… So excited!- nod the kids can touch it!

    Reply

  22. Shelly says

    We have a similar reclaimed wood table from Pottery Barn and we love it. The only thing I’ve had trouble with is spills of non-clear liquids (like grape juice…). Have you come across any info on whether/how to clean stains like that? Sand them maybe? Or just be content with purple spots of character?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Thanks Shelly! I was thinking that since it’s solid wood I can always just sand it down (literally even Sharpie or a deep-set wine stain would probably lift right up with a few rubs of 200 grit paper). Will keep you posted if we have any stains down the road to tell you what works!

      xo
      s

    • Nikki says

      I was wondering the same about stains since it’s not sealed. That’s nice that you can just rub it out!
      It’s beautiful!

  24. Erin {Home Everyday} says

    YAY for large tables! Also, what a lucky find. I love rustic dining tables, they are so homey and knowing that your family will share meals there for so many years makes my heart happy. We built our dining room table, and now instead of being on a “shopping” kick, I am on a “we could build that” kick. Enjoy your new table and all the memories that will be made there :)

    Reply

  25. Kelly McK says

    Love it! Now you guys have got two gorgeous (big!) pedestal tables- I think I’m developing some round table envy!! haha

    Reply

  26. Elle says

    Pretty!

    I can’t quite tell from the pictures, but is the table centered to the kitchen window? Meaning it’s not centered to that light fixture?

    Also, do you think you’ll stain it down the road or leave it as is? I think the light color catches my eye because of the contrasts in your kitchen – super dark floors and cabinets but the table, chairs, microwave and trash are very light.

    I hope the tiling and wallpaper removal are going well for you guys.

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Yes, don’t get me started on that light fixture. Grumble, grumble grumble. It’s not centered and it drives me mad, but hopefully when we work on the room as a whole it’ll be an easy fix (we have other lighting updates to do in there anyway).

      xo
      s

  28. Michelle says

    Oh boy, do I remember the days of spirographs. They have been around forever! My oldest (who’s 25) played with them too. I LOVE that table!!! So wonderful that you found it at such a great price too!! Good, solid furniture is so expensive. Oh and I know all about the don’t scratch the table thing. My parents bought a bunch of unfinished furniture when I was a kid. I think back in the 70’s unfinished furniture stores were the thing. They spent a TON of time staining and varnishing. I remember scratching that table…. oh man! Did I get in trouble and never heard the end of it either.

    Reply

  29. Kelly {the Centsible Life} says

    LOVE it! I can see the direction you’re going, and love it. :)

    We have a RH Outlet nearby, and we’ve scored some awesome deals including our couch which was marked down to $700 from $3,500, silk curtains for $30/panel, and a HUGE dining room table we use as a workspace/desk in our living room/office. I have a hilarious story about getting it home too: http://www.thecentsiblelife.com/2013/05/why-shopping-furniture-outlets-is-awesome-and-scary/

    I love the quality of RH. High fives on the great score!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! Sending lots of sprinkle dust! My tip is just to hold out until you find something you love. We’ve been here 4+ months just eating on a tiny table and keeping an eye out for something better, so it definitely wasn’t the first place we looked, but it was worth the wait!

      xo
      s

  31. Kerry says

    Beautiful table!

    My husband and I just bought a wood sleigh bed this weekend for the new place we’re moving to in November. Even though I’m 33 now, somehow buying a piece of real furniture makes me feel like an official adult.

    We’re moving to an apartment in a 200 year old house that has 3 working fireplaces in it! My Christmas-obsessed husband is beyond excited at the idea of having cozy fireplaces, mantles to decorate, and a sleigh bed in time for Christmas this year.

    Reply

  34. Venia | Organized Bites says

    Ha! My daughter got a Spirograph for her 8th birthday in September, and we were both thrilled. It was one of “those desperately wanted toys” that I never got when I was her age. Happy to report that it’s never too late to Spirograph. ;)

    Reply

  35. Kim says

    Ok I am so incredibly jealous (not a healthy state, I know) that you have all these awesome stores near you! Why oh why do the furniture/home decor powers that be ignore those of us in the middle of the country? We like bargains, too! We like cool stores, too! I wonder if my husband would go along with a tour of the southern and eastern states – not to see historical sites but for the cool stores? :)

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      Haha! We’re going to make those windows into french doors that open out onto the deck, so we’d love to not block them with a banquette… but we’re trying to not stress over the chairs and take our time!

      xo
      s

    • Crystal says

      Can’t resist suggesting a banquette! I am obsessed… even have a board called “me and my benches.” I built one in our house and I just love to get all indignant when guests suggest that my husband built it. I will keep enjoying my little banquette and you will certainly enjoy beautiful french doors one day soon!

  37. Dizee says

    Love the table! Very cool!

    We had a glass protector on top of our dining room table. And it was bumpy glass so my homework always looked funny.

    Oh, and plastic on the couches. Fantastic during the heat of summer (we didn’t have AC until I was 10) when my little body would stick to it and literally pull the skin off my bones.

    Good times.

    Reply

  38. Jess @ Operation Skinny Jeans says

    Love it! I am obsessed with Festoration Blardware. I will drive 30 minutes to the fancy mall with the FB so I can pet all of their things and hope one day that I win the lottery so I can buy all the things. Luckily there is an FB (i am officially changing the name) outlet near by, which has some pretty decent deals. Oh man I may need to make a trip there soon. Swoon.

    Reply

  39. Susan says

    The table is great. Where did you get the balloon vase in the middle? I’ve been looking for one like that for our house? Thanks!

    Reply

  41. Heather says

    I’m trying to think of the old table in the old dining room of the second house – I know it was huge and round though. Did it just not fit in the space well?

    I have to say, we’re big fans of beatupable furniture/flooring, etc. The reclaimed heart pine in our living room & stair landing is great for the dogs. It’s already old rustic board so it doesn’t matter. It’s the beech flooring & what not we had professionally finished that we consciously try to ignore. I have a post coming up on it (at some point) but let’s just say that finished smooth floors and dog claws don’t love each other.

    Reply

  42. Monica says

    It’s definitely not heirloom quality, but we recently replaced our wood coffee table with a padded ottoman. We knew we had to make the switch when our son, who is learning to stand, decided to use his hands and his teeth to pull up on the table. He keeps us on our toes…

    Reply

  43. Becky says

    My living room needs new furniture – couch, chair, ottoman but I get sticker shock all of the time. I even had re-upholstery quotes done and they are to a tune of $1000 for my sofa. Ouch.

    Reply

  44. Tara says

    Looks great! So curious to see what style of chairs you are considering for it. Not sure the ghost chairs in the BHG pic would be what you select. Will you pick something modern (eiffel chair?) or traditional? Keeping us on our toes!

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I’m not sure at all yet! I think we need to take our time and not rush into anything and try to look at images of rooms we love with chairs that look nice with similar tables. Function is always the most important so nothing with nice upholstery would work for us! Should be interesting…

      xo
      s

  45. Rebecca Armtage says

    I am also still trying to live down a spirograph incident on a softwood dining table…you’d think they’d learn to put some sort of protective layer down when children are near eh? I just bought a little spirograph the other day, they had this whole “retro” toy section at the bookstore…some great classics

    We’re currently searching for a super long table for our dining room…in the tune of 8 or 9 feet. Ugh, not as easy as one would’ve thought. The first one I’ve spotted that I actually like – and doesn’t require the sale of an essential organ is the new Stockholm table from Ikea, just under 8ft but exactly what I want.

    Reply

  46. Kerry says

    Ooo! You have me hankering for a beautiful kitchen table of my own …

    Wondering, with the uneveness of the surface and the potential for spills, damage, etc. would you ever consider placing some glass on top? Not your style? Not kitchen-y enough?

    I find myself wanting to put glass on many surfaces — desk, bureau, bedside tables, etc., but never biting the bullet.

    Thoughts?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      I definitely think we’d do that in the name of function if we think it’s necessary! So far we’re loving it as-is but I’ll definitely keep you posted!

      xo
      s

  47. Bethany says

    Beautiful table, and I love that it’s one you can really live with rather than one you’re afraid to use!

    How do you all transport your big purchases like furniture and rugs? Do you just pay for the store to deliver? What about Craigslist finds? Do you have access to a big truck?

    Reply

    • YoungHouseLove says

      We actually could get the base of this in our car (crazy! even with a carseat! – it was upside down in the front) and we borrowed John’s dad’s SUV to get the top (diagonally wedged in the back). We’d love to eventually get a trailer or some sort of roof rack to help with Craigslist stuff, although we only buy these big things a few times a year and usually can just borrow a bigger car from nearby family so it’s not the worst system ever. Haha!

      xo
      s

  48. Lil says

    Score! It’s beautiful. I LOVE the base. I left a nail polish remover soaked cottonball on my mom’s “too precious” Ethan Allen dining room table when I was a kid. *oops*

    Reply

  49. ashlea says

    Wow!!! How lucky! I love it. That is how I feel about our kitchen table. It was my parents from Habersham Plantation. It’s a farm table type and has had its share of marking, scratches, etc.

    Reply

  50. Annie says

    Looooove the table. So much! Some of the best advice my mama ever gave me was, “The more you use it, the better quality it has to be.” Good justification for spending a bit more on something that gets used a lot, like this table for you, or new boots for me! :)

    Reply

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