Best $47 I ever spent!

I recently decided to do away with our rectangular dining table and that I instead needed a round table. I had pretty much grown tired of the rectangular table after one of the chairs broke and we were left with 3. Then recently my neighbor had purchased a pottery barn set on craigslist that is a round table and chairs (I'm insanely jealous) because those sea grass chairs are amazing. When I saw her set I realized that a round table would open up more space and that it simply had a better ambiance. Since purchasing my round table I have honestly realized that there is more energy in the room. I also noticed at a few recent gatherings with friends and family that when sitting around the table, the conversation in general is so much better - it feels warmer and friendlier, how it should be! Not that it wasn't before but there is definitely a difference. And most importantly our family dinner time feels more like it should and not some mad dash to eat dinner.

I had stopped by one of my local thrift stores with the intention of finding a side table for the downstairs hallway (still have not found that by the way) and while there I stumbled across this dining set. It reminds me a lot of the style of dining table my parents had (and still have) growing up. I asked the sales person how much for the set and he said $40. Sold! It is a little outdated but it's a solid table and in great condition. I'm not really sure what kind of wood it is, maybe maple?

I still have yet to find some super cheap and awesome round table cloths. So until I do, I'm using this rectangular cloth piece that I picked up at the markets recently along with my red lantern as the centerpiece (usually lives on my kitchen window sill). I'm probably breaking design rules by using using this rectangular piece (I'm almost 100% certain that it should be something circular?) but honestly right now I am OK with this. Plus the blue in the pattern compliments my blue kitchen so I think I'm good. This may all change soon but for now this table and setup makes me all kinds of happy. Eventually I may repaint it, maybe even distress it. I'm undecided and trying to put my energy into repainting rooms first and organizing so maybe this will be a fall project. I do love the look of a white table and black chairs set so we shall see!

 Table $40, Table Cloth $3 and Ikea Lantern $4.

That happy feeling of getting an awesome deal? Priceless.