[quote=FlyerInHi]Looking at the pic again, I see the top is made of several boards. As a neat freak,
I’d worry that gooey food stuff will get in the gaps where you cannot clean.
I would avoid wood if you have kids and will use the table for everyday everything.. You have to properly care for wood and you can’t spray degreaser like 409 on it. It will strip the finish.[/quote]
You are right, Brian. Wood with space in between gets really nasty if you have kids and are using it everyday.
We’re in the market for a new table now, so are trying to figure out what kind of tabletop would be best for heavy use and lots of cleaning. We also like the more traditional style — not too clunky or heavy.
If anyone has any advice on what to get, we’d greatly appreciate it.
CAr, some friends found some tables on this site when they were searching. I can’t endorse them, since we haven’t ordered from them, but you might want to take a look:
We have a round kitchen table with the rustic wood style. Looked great but it was very hard to clean, especially when the little ones came along. We got a custom sized glass plate to go on top. You really can’t even see it and it makes cleaning so easy. I don’t recall what it cost but it was absolutely worth it. Many glass shops can make them.
CAr, i remember you like room and board. I’d recommend a parsons table from room and board or crate and barrel with a granite or marble top.
You can get a custom top made also in which case it’s little wasteful because you have do throw away the retail top. I like leather finish granite. Any stone guy can do it for you.
It’s an architecturally classic all American table that can be paired with modern or traditional chairs or even benches. Very strong table. Kids can dance on it.
Thank you, flyer, harvey, and Brian! Those are great sites and ideas. We’re looking for a table that can extend to accommodate 10+ people, and would prefer to have one that extends from the ends so that we can avoid the cracks in the top when it’s not extended, so that makes it more difficult to find. Kid gunk is gross! 😉
I’ve never regretted buying rustic or classic solid wood furniture.
If you are worried about damage from kids, buy already used and imperfect solid wood furniture for half the price or less. It may already have a nice coat of lacquer and you can refinish it if you want when the children are older.
The only time the look goes wrong is when it’s cluttered or crowded and with older carpet, then it looks like “grandma’s house.”
There are worse styles than “grandma’s house” but it is not something you aim for when buying new furniture.
.
