Remember Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”? Well, get that tune in your head and instead, let’s sing “Little Red Dinette”. Readers recently uploaded 217 vintage dinette sets — and what become very clear, very fast, was the amazing diversity of kitchen dinette designs and colors there were back in the day. In this first followup story, we illustrate this idea with red, red and more red dinette sets — it’s kind of epic, actually — 23 red dinette, in all, and there were even more in the uploader. Continue on, and join us in taking a look at the diversity of these styles — inlaid laminate table tops, solids, and the earlier-model porcelainenamel metal tops…. dinette chairs… and cool upholstery, too. What inventiveness! What charm! What cheer!
Red dinette sets with inlaid laminate table tops
Could a vintage red dinette get any sweeter than this little package — all tied up with an inlaid bow. So sweet. This dinette set looks great in Lori’s pastel kitchen.
This curved inlay design on reader Dianna’s dinette top is more minimalistic (which may be why I adore this particular set). Another favorite part is how the backs of the chairs curve to match the table top inlay — and are also lined with red to mirror the table top. Now that’s good design.
Tables with one central leg like the one above are particularly desirable if you are trying to squeeze a lot of chairs around the table — perhaps for a game of cards? Not only does this table have a wonderful apple design inlaid on the top, but the thick red cracked ice sides have a fun diamond stud design — which really makes this table special.
Here’s another whimsical inlaid design — with tulips — paired with light grey cracked ice chairs and one wildcard yellow chair to complete the set. (Is the extension from a different table, we wonder?)
Hey, here’s the same table top design paired with red chairs and some plaid wild card chairs for a completely different overall look. It just goes to show you how versatile these colorful dinette sets can be. Nicely staged photo!
This bold, graphic table top design is well complemented by the red and white upholstered chairs trimmed with white piping. Nice!
Here’s another sweet inlay — which reminds me of a doily draped off the sides of the table. The design on this table goes very well with the curtains in the background, don’t you think?
This cracked ice leaf pattern within the grey stripe makes this tiny table feel longer than it actually is — a great visual trick for a cute little table set.
And hark — is that plaid — paired with some fancy two toned grey and red cracked ice chairs? When will they be serving the apple pie?
Solid color dinette sets
This cute little red dinette looks like it may be square — and that it just fits into this corner of reader Becky from Iowa’s kitchen, just a wee babe with two matching chairs.
Reader Uncle Atom has a dinette with some very unusual legs on both the table and the chairs. Don’t you also dig the chair backs and that extra wide chrome rim around the table edge?
Reader Jamie_abe confessed that their dinette is not vintage — but that doesn’t make it any less adorable. It must be the showpiece of their pale blue and white kitchen — sitting next to their polka dot curtains. Jamie, where did you find this? We need to identify resources for quality reproductions.
The compact dinette above is very pleasing to the eye — with rounded seat backs, curved chair and table legs and rounded corners. There is even an accompanying Cosco step stool parked over in the corner. Together with the wallpapered accent wall and the decor — this is a charming vintage country kitchen.
Another favorite of this round up — this dinette from Brian and Keri’s kitchen — love those atomic starburst vinyl chairs! The set really pops off the electric blue wall and you can see how much this table is loved by the mirror finish on the chrome.
The rounded table in this reader’s set coordinates well with the rounded end of the cabinet — and adds just enough red to liven up a fresh white kitchen. Pop! goes the color!
During the holidays, reader Venice010’s set fits right in with the aluminum tree. At first glance you barely notice that two of the chairs are two-tone in red and grey cracked ice vinyl and the other two are red fiberglass chairs — further evidence of the mix-and-match versatility of the dinette.
You’ve gotta love a wide band of chrome all the way around the table top — like the set above.
Might this set and the previous set be siblings?
The looped table legs on reader Kathy D’s dinette set are unique — as well as how the thick red edge, chrome banding and grey table top all come together as one.
Booth dinette sets
Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more variations of a red dinette — ta da — booths. I wonder how many milkshakes this booth has seen — it looks like it belongs in a 50s diner.
This charming red booth is the perfect place to cozy up for a cup of coffee — and a cuddle with this retro loving kitty.
Who wouldn’t want to sit at this built in booth — with its chicken upholstery — and surrounded by what looks like knotty pine for a family game night? Count me in.
Enameled dinettes
Last, it would have been unfair to exclude this cute little enameled table — complete with a storage drawer — from our list. It is more vintage than retro, but fits right in with the light up juke box in this readers retro rec room. Pam says that this is her Mom’s dream kitchen table.
When readers were uploading photos of all their dinette sets, gsciencechick commented,
I haven’t had so much fun since the lamp uploader!
Lauryn says
Fabulous dinettes!! I’ve got a gorgeous red cracked ice table (extra leaf included, but no chairs) sitting in our basement that I scooped up for 10 bucks. Our breakfast nook is way too small to accommodate a full size dinette and I have NO clue what I’m going to do with it, but I couldn’t let such a deal go by the wayside. There is also a great grey cracked ice table down there, but we probably shouldn’t go there, lest I start to sound like a hoarder.
Sandra says
I also note that (don’cha love the Internet?) the ad choices displayed on this page are likely to show some places to buy them.
Suzanne says
I would love to find a red dinette set. I think these cuties are adorable. My grandmother had the same set as the red cracked ice laminate. Over time the vinyl seat covers tore but she just got it re-uphosltered (gawd, I can’t spell this morning). But people used to keep their stuff for years, now we have deposible furniture.
Tasha says
Our white/black/gray dinette table has the same central leg system as the one you pointed out– the one downside to it is that the two chairs on the long side can’t push in entirely underneath (a slightly annoying issue in our narrow space).
Don’t tell our table but I secretly covet one of these red inlaid beauties. 😉
Jeanne says
Love all of these! I have a similar set as Jamie’s, only in light grey (the chairs are identical but the table is a little different style). I didn’t get a chance to photograph it and upload it, as it’s in my basement now and has “stuff” on top of it. It was a “reproduction” that I purchased at Sears back in 1993 for my last house’s 1949 kitchen (similar to the kitchen featured with the rounded table). So, my reproduction is 20 years old already! Maybe I’ll try to clean it off and photograph it. 🙂
Annie B. says
I’m loving all those space-age legs!!
Sarah g (roundhouse) says
Those dinettes are so cute and have really withstood the test of time, it shows how well made they were. I spotted a red set in Arkansas once for $50!! But I couldn’t figure out how to get it into my Honda accord haha! I’m not the biggest fan of red (it’s my least fav color) so I’m always drooling over the aqua or yellow dinettes
Patty says
Can’t go wrong with red! So cheery, so fun.
And perfect for holidays – Christmas, Valentine’s Day, patriotic July 4th, etc.
Jenny A. says
“Little Red Dinette, oooh oooh, baby you’re much too fast”… haha 😉
Pam from Nashville says
Hi Pam- I have the tulip table with the darker leaf down the middle. It is actually the original leaf, but the guy I bought it from, who apparently bought it from the original owners, said that the leaf had ALWAYS been stored in a closet and NEVER used. The table had been in front of a sunny window and over time it just faded I guess!
pam kueber says
Makes sense! Oxidation Happens!