When I wrote an ode to kitchen tables a while back, we had a dinette uploader — but that was three+ years ago — and the blog has a gazillion more readers now. So let’s see what ya got, folks! The first uploader of the year is ON — take some photos and upload them this weekend. We’ll follow up by spotlighting 10-12 of your dinette sets next week. It’s super easy to contribute a photo — read on –>
Uploader is closed — thanks for playing!
Tips to view slide show: Click on first image… it will enlarge and you can also read my captions… move forward or back via arrows below the photo… you can start or stop at any image:
Dianna says
My pics are awaiting Pam’s approval as well. My dinette is the white formica top with red trim (you’ll see a red Kit Cat clock in the background). I decided I was going to redo my kitchen in 50’s decor, and it had to be red.
I found this set on Craigslist from an amazing couple that sells at flea markets. They had polished it up and I got it for a great price. Also, the vinyl on the chairs has gold thread woven in (hard to tell in the pics), and it’s all the original vinyl.
The seller let me look through their garage at all their other treasures, which included several Costco stools, one of those old hair-dryer chairs, and STACKS of formica tables they were in the process of restoring. It was like an MCM museum!!
Jennifer says
I uploaded some photos of my white, gold, and brown 1960s? dinette set. I actually emailed my dilemmas and photos to Pam last year that I posted here. I am curious as to what to do about my fading gold painted (I don’t know how to tell if it’s plated) chrome butterflies, as well as my super scratched gold aluminum trim. And how to keep my beautiful speckled tabletop intact for years to come. There’s a few minor scratches on it, currently.
Also, if anyone has a similar gold accent piece that goes to the table leg, I am missing one and would looooooove to buy it to make my set more complete. 😀
I just adore my dinette set, and the fact that it is yellow/gold is perfect. And by the way, my “china pattern” is Corelle’s 1970s Butterfly Gold pieces, just because of the table (and most of the items were free from my fiance’s parents, who had bought them new in the 1970s!).
I am soooo jealous of some of the beautiful sets here, those atomic and plaid patterns are out of this world! 🙂 It will be a sad day when I have to recover mine!
Patty says
the wide variety of styles/designs is amazing
Dawn says
OMG. #2 and #10 are on my must have list! LOVELY!
My pic is still pending Pam’s approval, yellow round table. I got it off of craigslist for 50 bucks! Came with two additional leaves as well and when its extended could easily seat 8. I am on the search for 4 extra chairs for that purpose.
We kind of created our own dinette. We have a very long front room that had some dead space at one end. Since we spend most of our time here, we decided to remove a hanging cupboard that served no purpose and add in a little table. There is a breakfast bar right next to it so it works.
We love it and it feels like that corner always wanted to be a dinette! LOL
mrs says
Fabulous! And timely… I’ve been meaning to search the site and inquire whether anyone has a good source for replacement “feet” for dinette chairs and tables???
Annie B. says
Seriously sweet stuff here. I’m particularly coveting the set in image 18 as it would be so perfect, in all ways, for my dining area.
Vintage dinette sets get the Best All Around award from me on all levels of MCM. They have wonderfully outrageous atomic styling, sized to fit most any dining area, and the construction is so rugged (notwithstanding the vinyl on the seats) that many of them are in great shape today. And, so many of us MCM-er’s had one in the kitchen back in the day. Happy, hearth-y memories.
Patty says
Since so many of these chairs are in good shape, I suspect use and storage over time, not to mention variations in the original quality, play a big role in how well the chairs have held up. I think even the local climate and air conditioning – or lack of – could play a role in the vinyl on the chairs getting dried out and cracking over time. Some of these may have been retired to basements or garages. I’ve seen some where the legs look rusty.
Some people are just harder on their furniture even in normal use.
52PostNBeam says
I recognize a few of these from craigslist ads I posted in the forum many years ago! I’ll post my red Chromecraft booth.
52PostNBeam says
“Calchrome,” rather
TappanTrailerTami says
Be still my heart! So many great sets uploaded already. I have severe Dinvy = Dinette Envy! I still wonder though why the cracked ice vinyl people have never done the green or blue colors, just gray, red, yellow.
This reminds of one of my stupidest didn’t-buy-it moves ever. Years ago, there was a website that specialized in these, and they had a perfect condition nail head trim dinette set with flowers on the chairs and on the table apron, and on the table top. It was a FIVE color set; green, yellow, pink, blue and gray cracked ice. $425 which was scads of money at the time. Boy, do I regret not buying it. Sigh.
Congrats to all of you who DID buy!
Janet in CT says
Tami, many years ago, so long ago I don’t even remember where I saw it, I found a table with a “George Jetson” top. I can’t even describe it properly but it had all kinds of atomic designs on it like swirls and stars and very modern odd shapes. I believe it was a white background with all kinds of colors like turquoise, pink, yellow and green. I can’t even remember it exactly but I do know I have never seen another one since. I hope that someone here has one like it and can showcase it as it was just the most fantastic table I have ever seen. That’s the one that got away for me!
Audrey says
For those still jonesing a set of table and chairs on Craigs list in Orange County (Orange Calif there is a coplete set listed tonight!
Here is the ad
Mid Century Chrome Dining Table With 6 Chairs – $395 (Orange)
Very nice chrome table with formica top and six chairs. 714-329-1378
I do not know anything about this person or if he or she is williing to ship But if your seeking a set here it is!
Hope this helps!
Audrey
Robin, NV says
The style doesn’t really work in my house but love, love, love. So jealous of you guys with big kitchens with a spot for a dinette. The crazy red atomic table top is to die for!
Definition of a dinette please?
TappanTrailerTami says
Definition
noun
1.
a small space or alcove, often in or near the kitchen, serving as an informal dining area.
2.
Also called dinette set. a small table and set of matching chairs for such a space or alcove.
ca, 1925-30
Robin, NV says
Just wondering if it’s the material and shape that make it a dinette as opposed to a kitchen table and chairs.
Janet in CT says
Robin, I think I can answer that, having grown up in the furniture business. If you think way back, most houses built in the first forty years of the 20th century had small efficient cooking-only kitchens and had dining rooms to eat in. At some point in the forties and fifties, houses were being built with eat-in kitchen areas, many of which were even built into corners or alcoves. As opposed to large dining room sets for the bigger dining rooms, they began to call the smaller kitchen sets dinettes. Many companies like Dinaire in Buffalo specialized in these small space saving dinettes, and they were usually promoted for sale in co-ordinating sets. You will notice many of the tables later on were not particularly small like the first ones were, but the standard set was originally four chairs with the table. As time passed and the tables got larger, two more chairs could be ordered optionally, but most people settled on just four, which is why you see most of the sets shown have just that number. Although most people relate dinettes to the chrome sets we are showcasing, there were companies that made small wood sets too, but they almost always had the formica tops for the heavy kitchen use which included children’s play, thus a rugged worry-free surface. I wouldn’t say it is the common denominator, but as far as materials go, I always considered a proper dinette to have a formica top.
Robin, NV says
Great! Thanks Janet. Sounds like my pre-war all wood table and chairs wouldn’t be considered a dinette then.
Tasha says
Janet, this explains why nothing more than a small dinette table and 4 chairs would fit in our 1955 eat-in kitchen! 🙂
Patty says
Hard to believe “most” people would only have 4 chairs – back in the day when many people had 3, 4, 5 or more children?
Janet in CT says
Patty, think frugal! Back then, you didn’t buy what you didn’t really need. It wasn’t unusual to have a high chair or youth chair at the table for the younger one(s), or one child may not be home (like my sister who never was), or it was simple to use a chair in the other room if needed! Why spend money on something that may not be necessary?!
Patty says
I’m seeing quite a few pictures with 6 chairs. We had 4 kids and always had 6 chairs even though we didn’t have extra money for unneeded chairs. Families used to sit down for dinner at the table at the same time. Also, I think we would have called these kitchen tables or just “the table.” Maybe a regional thing? Or maybe dinette was used at different times in the marketing.
Janet in CT says
Pam, looks like you uploaded the same set of photos twice. I LOVE what I am seeing! Great choice for weekend uploads but I can’t get near mine buried in the garage!
pam kueber says
oopsy, fixed! thank you!