If this banquette could talk. Oh the hours that have been spent here…my husband watching me cook me watching my husband cook dinner. When we have guests come and stay with us they could tell you the amount of time we spend in this little 10’x13′ space talking late into the night and snacking. If it was all wood chairs I don’t think we would spend as much time here. The settee makes for a great gathering space and also feels like banquette seating. I would do this 100 times over. When people ask me my favorite part of our home I always say the kitchen. It has not always been my favorite. When we first moved here I hated it, it made me so depressed (you can see why HERE). I get asked often what the size of my table is and in relation to my settee. So here it is and why this space works!
My table is 42″ round, I found it at an antique shop. I had been wanting a marble top table for a few years. When I found it I knew it was meant to be. I had a round wood table in this space and it didn’t work when I we added the butcher block counter tops. (You can find a similar marble top round table HERE.) I love that they are indestructible.
With this banquette style seating we can seat five to seven people around this table with one extra chair pulled up. I have learned that in a tiny house light, small chairs are the way to go. We have one extra that we use in another spot in our home and can easily move it back to our kitchen. (You can find similar chairs to mine HERE.) Also pedestal tables are like magic, the amount of people they can seat always amazes me. We did have ten little girls gathered around this area with stools pulled up to it for my daughters birthday party.
My settee from arm to arm is 65″. I used to have the dining table below in my old house. It had a pedestal base but the arms were still a little in the way. I like the smaller table with a settee with arms. It is easier to get in and out of. I have had that settee for close to ten years. The settee used to be in a red busy floral. I wish I would have just kept it neutral in the first place. I ordered a slipcover for it in a linen. I love color. But it is so much easier to add a pop of color with pillows. The red floral was too distracting when I was setting the table for different holidays and events. (You can find my exact settee HERE).
You can find my new black and white stripe pillows and floral one HERE.
When looking for a settee to put up to your dining table I suggest looking for one that the seat is at least 18″ that is the standard height for dining chairs. My current chairs seat height is 18 1/2″.
I would have went with the one below for our old home and larger table. You can find the armless settee HERE.
Or a subtle pattern is nice like this striped armless settee, you can find HERE
I like the idea of doing a lighter settee with a darker seat cushion, like this one HERE
The one below has short arms and I like the addition of the tufting, you can find it HERE
Did I mention that I have had ten different dining tables in my ten years of marriage? I am speaking from experience. Take your time and really think about how you use your dining space. I had a client who ordered a small 42″ round table with one leaf and only four chairs. I asked her several times if she was sure and didn’t want something larger for her large family. She had kids that had all moved out and figured they would sit at her large island or outside on her large deck. Nope! A few years later she said that I was right and wanted to order something larger. Basically take your time and ask other members of your family what they think! And I will leave you with a little more inspiration…
Inspiration VIA Instagram
Inspiration VIA Decor Gold
Inspiration VIA Dear Lillie
I currently have 3 dining tables that I have tried in our space that I just dont love. Ugh! I’m on the hunt for the perfect pedestal table, yours is gorgeous! I’ve been toying with the idea of adding a settee or a bench to our dining area as it is a tight space. Love the look of this, thank you!
Oh yes, I dealt with that same thing! Dining tables are SO important to love. We had a wood one in this space that I did not like, it was a pedestal base too but it wasn’t very sturdy. The bench creates a lot more seating in a small space too! Hope my tips helped you.
hey girl great tips! Love the kitchen!
Thanks so much Shawnna! xxx
Very interesting! Makes me think how to use small spaces as we retire and ‘move down’ to less space. I have had my 2 leaf large dining table for 34 years & my 46′ glass top iron kitchen table for 16 & love them despite many reservations. I thought the glass top would be a pain but it is worth it to me to get the clean, light feel in a somewhat limited dinette area. I also have what I thought would be too high arm chairs around it that I love (form & function!). My husband and I sit on them for hours after dinner talking and watching the birdfeeders almost every night. Some things just can’t be anticipated!
That is exciting! My friend has a tiny house and she has a glass top table. It makes the space feel so much larger. I really like it for smaller homes too! Best of luck to you in your transition.
I would love to find a table and settee like yours. All the round marble top tables I see have a bottle that I don’t like as much. I like the shape of your settee and the slipcover. It’s such a perfect kitchen and eating space. Love how you change it up seasonally too.
Thanks Donna! It was a lucky find for sure!
I did finally order this light though. Can’t wait for it to come.
Really! Excited for you!!
Love this space so much. Do you mind sharing the brand of gold paint you use for your wall-mounted mug rack?
yes! I wrote about it here- http://nestingwithgrace.com/favoritegoldspraypaint/