The Classic Pedestal Table

According to amishtables.com , "The pedestal table was originally designed for smaller rooms and to give an air of status. They were popular because of their functionality and almost all homes had one in some form. Just like today, they could be put to use in an elegant dining room or as a gaming table for friends and family to gather around." (table above by Identity Craft and image below from flicker)



"Pedestal bases have ranged from single columns to fanciful, ornately scrolled, indulgences. Each designer and style seemed to create its own signature of pedestal base. Their commonality is a single leg or central supporting column or pillar, attached under the center of the table top."


"King Arthur was famed for his round table, giving equality to all since it did not host the traditional head of the table that rectangular dining room tables did. Since the focal point of a pedestal draws your eye to the center the tops of pedestal tables have traditionally been visually pleasing."
I've always wanted a round pedestal dining table. (I've also wanted wanted a huge trestle table with a bench for a while but you work with the space you have.) My dining room is awkwardly shaped. It looks large & square when viewing it from the living room, but it's actually rectangular and very narrow when you center a table under the chandelier.
I fell in love with LOTS of tables but due to my size issues, there weren't many tables available in the under typical 5 foot diameter size. I did find one that was more than I would have liked to have spent (I really don't like to spend over $200- $500 on anything, I'll be honest, although I know that can be ridiculous.) and I thought I'd share with you some of the inspiration pictures I collected along the way... The image below is from Nina Griscom's home and it's still one of my FAVORITE houses out there. Each piece in the space seems to be its own sculpture or work of art. One of the reasons I wanted a round pedestal table so badly is because I think they have the most beautiful silhouettes. This table is exactly what I was searching for... (but with a leaf)



Just check out this gorgeous silhouette (House Beautiful) below:


And here's a close-up of the same room. I'mlLoving the lantern over the table below and the pedestal table is a bit more ornate...




Here's a strong pedestal, the "Avignon Table" from Horchow. I love these too for larger spaces...




And below is a similar Sears version for around $300. (Not bad at all for the look!!)The pedestal table below has a more transitional style and even though nothing's really going on with the walls, it's okay because the table's just such a perfect focal point.
Below is the Wakefield Pedestal Table by Nochols & featured in Hosue Beautiful:


And I had to slip this white beauty from Country Living in (below). I just LOVE this dining room.

One of my favorite sources is Martha Stewart Furniture for Bernhardt. I am crazy over their pedestal tables but unfortunatly they were all too big fo rmy dining room. Below is the Grand Lake Pedestal Table and I just LOVE it!!! It has perfect lines in my opinion. Another reason we wanted a pedestal is because we're mostly going to be using our dining are as a reading/ project spot. My husband & I both have a bunch of books going at once & since we love how a pile of books looks, we figured this would be the perfect space to be able to keep our mess out on. (Of course I'll make it a pretty mess and below is what I'm thinking.-- Martha's Grand Lake Pedestal Table again)
And here is is again (below)... it's just begging to be covered in books!!!
Below is the Lyell Pedestal Tbale also by Martha Stewart and it would look beautiful with some Midcentury chairs:


And here's the Dunmere Pedestal table by martha Stewart. I'm crazy over its lines too!!!
Love it paired with these aqua-clad chairs below:

Here's a black oak pedestal table from Country Living and I'm loving this room too. Paring it with the vintage metal chairs is such a perfect yet unexpected touch:

Below, House Beautiful with pedestal table from Mecox Gardens... Love the drum shade over it!
Below is another House Beautifulspace, done by Albert Hadley. It's used as a beautiful library table:
A
nd below is a very similar dining table (Country Living) in a dining room. I'm CRAZY pver this room and also remember seeing it on Cote de Texas. (The lantern?!! window seat in the background?!! It's just so light & airy & I love what that strong dark & handsome table does in there!!! :)
Below is a room featured in House Beautiful and (shockingly for House Beautiful!) they used a table from Pottery Barn! I'm loving it.



And, finally, one more look at my dream table....

And here's the one that arrived at my house yesterday from Pottery Barn. It is the perfect size and comes with a leaf for bigger dinners!! Like I said it was more than I wanted to spend (that just shows you where the budget's at--- when PB is too high-end!!! :) but it really is exactly what we were looking for...



We're so happy with it & I just love what it does for the dining room!!! It really amped it up a notch in there & works perfectly with my velvet sofa. I'm sorry for not posting pics yet-- they are coming SO soon I promise. I'm waiting on a hardwood floor install (happening this weekend by super-busy husband) and a rug to arrive because I want you to see it once it's all done.

xoxo,

lauren

29 comments:

alison giese Interiors said...

I have been wanting one for, like, EVAH! I love the black version with the vintage galvanized chairs.

I'm making the hubster promise when we leave Brazil, we can liquidate most of our current furnishings, and start fresh back in The States - maybe THEN I'll get my beloved pedestal!

Room Service ~ Decorating 101 said...

I cracked up when I saw this post... I am working on a post right now about "the round table" great minds I guess. I like the company...thanks

Michelle Hughes said...

I have never seen the black table, metal chairs photo from CL... that is my combo, my chairs are navy chairs. NOw I have a photo for everyone that tells me that they don't "match."

Love your blog!
Michelle

Linda@ Lime in the Coconut said...

Ooooooh. Now is that TDF coconut chandy going over it? or in another place??

Tracy Watier said...

Pretty! I looked at that PB table too when cinsidering a round table for my dining room. And like you, I was also considering adding a bench to one side of the rectangular table we already own. The bench won, and I'm VERY happy with it, but I still look at round tables and imagine...
Can't wait to see your room!!

Jennifer said...

love them all! can't wait to see it all put together!

Erin {House of Turquoise} said...

Ha ha I think PB is expensive too! :)

I can't wait to see pics of your room!

Greet Lefèvre said...

Hi Lauren,

Very nice images ! Great post!
I even have found a beautiful pedestal table on the site www.moissonnier.com

Greet

Sarah Ring said...

I love round tables!! LOVE them!

Unknown said...

These images are beautiful! Pedestal tables are so flexible and functional.

I have an old one handed down from my mother. It has seen better days and needs work, but there is no way I am parting with it.

It's on the project list for this coming long weekend. Check my blog next week for pics!

I love your blog btw ... keep it up!

paula said...

its beautiful! cant wait to see it all put together.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh I love pedestal tables too! The PB one you picked is bea-u-tiful and I can't wait to see it in place! Loved this post - so much eye candy. :)

Sarah said...

i think you made a great choice.

Passementerie said...

That's a fantastic table - I love it! My father recently ended a long search for a pedestal table for his small dining room - he found a lovely antique for a steal, but then had to spend a fortune restoring it. He was a little annoyed at the time but is thrilled now - it has a sunburst inlay and tips up.

Tricia said...

Lovely post Lauren. I too have been coveting pedestal tables and I love your second flikr photo/table. Believe it or not Target is on to these tables now too and they are too cute!
You PB table is gorgeous- can't wait to it all 'fabbed' up in your home.

cotedetexas said...

I love it! I can't wait to see it in situ! already, come on! we are anxious out here!!!!!!!!!!!

use it in good health.

Heather J said...

Great eye candy! I am also looking for a pedestal table but no luck so far. The PB one you found looks great though. I enjoy your blog!

Rhoda @ Southern Hospitality said...

Lauren, oh that PB table is a beauty! I too love pedestal tables & had to have one for my DR. I was lucky enough to find the right size for my small space at a great price. Mine is an Empire style & I adore it too.

You are gonna have fun with this table! It's gorgeous. :)

Three Men and a Little Crazy said...

Great post, and in my opinion, a great decision on the PB table. I have an antique one in my dining room and love it! Now I'm searching for a smaller one for a side table in my living room, something in the 32x32 neighborhood. In all of your research, did you happen to come across anthing like this?

Love your blog!

Lauren said...

Boese Family: This one might be too big but is gorgeous & maybe you can squeeze it in?? http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p7269/index.cfm?pkey=cside%2Dtables

but it's the right height... maybe?? sorry that't the closest I found!!!
xoxo,
lauren

LindsB said...

pictures please!!! I'm sure it looks BEAUTIFUL in your dining room- but I'm dying for some PICTURES :) haha- xoxo

Brooke @ Blueprint Bliss said...

Lauren- I love all of these inspiration photos. All of them. And I can't wait to see your table in your space!

Unknown said...

Very nice article about pedestal tables. I like them very much. It's a piece of furniture with lots of attitude.
Like your blog.

Maria Killam said...

That was such a great informative post! Wow, I loved the table you ended up with, and so interesting the point you made about piling it with books!
I love your house and watching the progress!!
Too much fun I can hardly wait for the reveal!
xo
Maria

mrsben said...

Love pedestal tables but have a tendency myself to lean more towards oval table-tops as when de-leafed (if there is such a word) they become ROUND. (Two styles in one...smiles.)

The Table you've chosen is gorgeous! Can't wait to see it in its new home. -Brenda-

(Hopefully this comment doesn't go thru a gazillion times as for some reason I had problems posting it.)

DesignTies said...

You found some real beauties!! I really like the simple lines of the very first table you posted.

I've been on the hunt for a reasonably priced pedestal table for months. I bought 4 chairs off Kijiji in the spring, and I want to put them around a pedestal table in the loft for playing cards & games.

Looking forward to seeing your dining room pictures once it's done :-)

Kelly

Janell @ House of Fifty said...

Someone just referred me to this post, as I am on the hunt for a pedestal table. GREAT OPTIONS!
Now, to see if any of them fit my budget...not likely, but loving the top one.
Love your blog, glad I found it, adding it to my blog roll!
Janell

KatyO! said...

love this post! I have been on the lookout for the perfect pedestal table for my small dining room. so hard just the right one (which means it has to have clean lines, with some type of unique feature AND can expand to fit more people during holidays!)

rebeccavg said...

hi, i just bought the same table and while i love the look of it, i'm not so sure i'll be happy with the finish. there are fine scratches already and we haven't even used it yet! how is yours holding up? would you buy it if you had it to do over again? thanks so much!