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Original poster

50/60's Interior Design Help needed - pretty please

36 replies

RandomMess · 05/04/2015 21:41

So we have a small plain kitchen - see photo for style of doors & handles, pale blue high gloss, chrome handles, grey worktop.

House was built in 1960. What kind of dining table would you go for?

I'm thinking I may have to get something made by this company

www.mattantrobus.co.uk/gallery.html with formica top and chromes splayed legs.

I also like this sort of thing shown below.

What else may work that you can find that seats 8 places comfortably on an every day basis. 6 seater table that extend to 8 often give you the leg in the way problem which has discounted most of what I've found so far Sad

I want something with a retro feel that will compliment the kitchen and not add even "more" styles into it as it is one large kitchen/diner/family room.

Any help gratefully received plus I don't really have £1k to spend on a table as I also have 8 chairs to find & buy!!!!

50/60's Interior Design Help needed - pretty please
50/60's Interior Design Help needed - pretty please
50/60's Interior Design Help needed - pretty please
OP posts:
Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:01

Anyone????

OP posts:
engeika · 05/04/2015 22:10

www.johnlewis.com/ercol-for-john-lewis-chiltern-4-6-seater-extending-dining-table/p1571387

I know - too expensive - but wanted to post it anyway! Love Ercol

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:12

Nice but too small Sad we need 8 seater unextended!

OP posts:
Lelivre · 05/04/2015 22:19

Sixties house here too...I've got an extending Ercol plank table with 5 legs. I can extend up to 7ft4 with both leaves. Just one could be used. It's quite a narrow table which is useful. Just love it. Mine is a vintage (?!) one , but I think it is being remade.

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:24

I just think with the chrome on the kitchen units and high gloss, is going ercol actually a style/era clash??? Hence ercol style but with formica and chrome a better way forward?

OP posts:
SwedishEdith · 05/04/2015 22:26

I've just been looking on Ebay at Ercol. There's still loads at reasonable prices but seating for 8 might be quite problematic.

Devora · 05/04/2015 22:27

I really like your idea of something gently metro, with splayed legs - either formica topped or the wooden table you show is also really nice. That website is £££, though - if you're going the formica route, would you consider a second hand table off ebay? There's a roaring trade on there.

Debenhams has a load of kitchen tables greatly reduced at the moment:
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_322015977799MISC_-1
www.debenhams.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prod_10701_10001_326004006699MISC_-1

And how about these from John Lewis:
www.johnlewis.com/hnd-katrina-large-rectangular-dining-table/p328326?colour=Kashmir%20White
www.johnlewis.com/house-by-john-lewis-luna-6-8-seater-extending-dining-table/p1571290
www.johnlewis.com/house-by-john-lewis-lily-extending-dining-table/p1163744

Devora · 05/04/2015 22:28

Would you consider benches, at least down one side? There's some lovely benches around at the moment - I like Loaf, though it is pricey.

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:32

All the formica tables I've found on ebay are way too small - most are only 4 seater and the chances of finding 2 matching ones...

OP posts:
Lelivre · 05/04/2015 22:35

OP definately would not clash. The sixties stuff will outlive your kitchen and you! i love mine more every day really stylish serviceable furniture built to take whatever a family throws at it.

The original (pre-2000) Ercol is better than today's. Just saw a large table on eBay at the moment : Ercol Elm & Beech Windsor 5 Leg Hinged Leaf Extending Kitchen / Dining Table

tethersend · 05/04/2015 22:37

Anything here?

Devora · 05/04/2015 22:40

How about a cheapish pine table of the right retro shape, and paint it to go with your kitchen?

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:41

So we reckon wood with the splayed legs will be in keeping enough?

Just need a huge table to come up on ebay....

Would be far easier to sell off a few dc and only need a 6-8 seater!

OP posts:
tethersend · 05/04/2015 22:42

Or here?

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:46

Saw the Lawton ones previously - really like but only 1 is long enough. I haven't seen anything made out of pine that isn't chunky or in the sort of style I'd need Sad

OP posts:
Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 22:52

tether = the Ercol Grand Windsor is what I need...

OP posts:
nevertoomuch · 05/04/2015 23:24

As your requirements are quite specific re size, then bespoke might be the only way to go for the table. But, thinking out of the box a bit here, have you looked at boardroom/conference tables? Our friends had a fabulous 1970's wooden boardroom table as their dining table (they sourced chairs separately) - there are lots on ebay. As long as the size and legs are right, the top can easily be changed.

Original poster
RandomMess · 05/04/2015 23:46

The bespoke formica works out the same sort of price as the 5 legged ercol Sad.

Will look at boardroom/conference tables I guess...

OP posts:
Lelivre · 06/04/2015 07:36

I got my Ercol extending Windsor for £425 with candlestick chairs in amazing condition. The tables alone usually go for £700 on eBay. You will find cheaper if you scour eBay and gumtree for long enough. As long there is no very bad staining or splitting they can be easily restored.

If you do find an original...Your table will hold its value and not need replacing and always look good, perhaps can't say the same of a Formica Reproduction. Failing that there is an Ercol factory shop but having researched this, the modern is not regarded well by collectors/restorers and is generally more expensive.

ChishandFips33 · 06/04/2015 09:13

www.woodpeckerinteriors.co.uk/morton-splayed-leg-walnut-and-chrome-extending-dining-table/23624

The Habitat Vince is Ercol like and in the sale for £550 for the 8 seater

Could try Danish/Scandinavian style too

SwedishEdith · 06/04/2015 13:00

www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/S99040342/ this is nice but it says only seats 6.

Original poster
RandomMess · 06/04/2015 18:17

Surprisingly finding some things that we really like by searching under conference tables!

OP posts:
AgnesGrey · 06/04/2015 20:32

Random, it seems you are getting to what you want but just a thought - have you thought about a Saarinen type table - bit 60s - originals v expensive but many similar styles available. The reason I say it is that we have a similar thing and I cannot tell you how marvellous the not having legs of the table which get in people's way are. You can pretty much shuffle up and squeeze another person in. I used to have a 10 seater (oval) and it would fit 12 occasionally - I now have 8 seater ( round - can seat 10 occasionally) so it depends on the shape of your kitchen.
Sorry if not your style but just to say - hugely practical.

Here's the gist of what I am talking about - hope link works but if not scroll down and look at the single pedestal tulip type table.

www.buildingahillsidehome.com