For the past 4 years {literally,} I’ve had this problem of not enough kitchen chairs around my table. You see, at our old house, we had space for a table that seated 4 – the biggest reason we had to sell and move. The twins were getting big enough to sit at the table and I was pregnant with Emme. That is six people. So, unless we were going to eat in shifts, it wasn’t going to work!

at our old home

{I swear that is a money tree on the table. IF you have no idea what I’m talking about, then please, ignore these two sentences because you might be good people and it might only look like a potted plant !}

Any hoodle, once we moved to our new home, I got a new table. Because obviously, this table only seated 4 – unless I put the leaf in it. Then it would seat a couple more, but the round ends still gave little space.

I painted it black because I didn’t know what I was going to do with the chairs. And, as usual, distressed it a little.

Errr, actually alot. It was new – then I beat it, poked it and removed chunks from it! That is nothing but some distressin’ lovin’!!!

And basically, that is where I’m at today. For the past 4 years, I’ve lived with the 4 chairs around this table! One of the main reason’s we moved was so that we all could sit around the table! I will tell you that I’ve had a few temporary stand-ins. We do have a couple of bar stools. And recently, I bought 6 chairs from a friend. I had every intentions of painting them black and maybe give them a lot little worn look. But the chairs didn’t fit right. They were just so tall! And heavy! And just not right. Don’t get me wrong – they are awesome, solid chairs {anyone in the market for 6 chairs?} but they didn’t work for the space. And frankly, I love my old ones!

I know you are wondering why I don’t go get 2 to match the 4 I already have! Here is the thing. They came from Pottery Barn years ago!!! I looked in the magazine at those chairs for years! Every single time I would go into the store, I would search those puppies OUT! I don’t think Lonnie and I were married yet, but he finally convinced me to go get the dang chairs! For $180 a piece, I bought 4 of them. I had a cousin that worked at the store and he informed me that it was a good thing I was getting them – they were retiring that design. I remember thinking “good thing is right!” I would have died if I finally decided to get those and they were gone! If I ever thought I would have needed more, I would have gotten them at that time. Who knew that I would pop out kids like I was getting paid!?

The chairs have been fantastic! Definitely one of the best pieces of furniture I’ve ever bought from Pottery Barn – and I’ve bought a lot! They have held up great and only for 1 seat {that Lawson picked at continuously,} even the rush seating is in great shape! I have finally decided to keep them and find 2 coordinating chairs for each end of the table. I thought I found a style.

Love it.

Love it so much, I could marry it.

I want it.

Drooling.

Even the stain is the exact color as the stain on the original 4 chairs.

Of course that is the great part of finding them in Pottery Barn! But then there is a kicker.

They are $499 each! I have no lies to tell, if I find something I really like, love, want to share the rest of my life with it, I will normally pay the price – no matter how steep. But 4 kids later . . . . I no longer have “stuff” that is “nice” anymore in my house. There is no way in HELL I’ll pay $499 for a chair! Especially because I need 2 – and $998 just sounds like groceries, utility bill, water bill, cell bill and some of my mortgage!

Dear Pottery Barn,

I love your stuff. I have so much of it that it is ridiculous. But come on – $499 for a dining chair? Really? That hurts me in so many ways. Unfortunately, my kids could break down your $499 chair probably quicker than they can take out $499 in groceries. So, for this time, . . . I’m going to have to pass. I’m sad. My heart is broken. Hopefully, you will forgive me this time for my straying ways, but I just can’t convince myself that this is a smart purchase. Not at this point in my life. Or my kids’ lives. Unless you can come up with 2 chairs that match my current ones, I have no other choice but to move on {this one time.}

With all my love, Kim Tate Wheeler

What a dilema. But fortunately, I had a friend that mentioned the Home Decorator’s Collection. Guess what I found?!?!

Yes, the legs are a bit different but I still love them. Even the idea of black is better for me  - to match my table! AND the price – I know you are wanting to know – What’s up $135!?

The one thing I’m not a fan of – the fabric. Just a little too neutral for me. I don’t know if you know this about me, but I like color! I found this kitchen on Pinterest and fell in love with all the fabrics! My favorite is the dot on the back of the chairs – anyone know where I can find any of this fabric?!? I don’t know if I would really use it, but I want a swatch to see if I would {on the back of the chair!}

I’ve not ordered the chairs yet – only because I’m holding out I might find 2 more of my original chairs on Craigs List. {yeah right.} But if I do order the ones above {the $135 ones,} I think I might {maybe} paint the other 4 black {because 10 years is a long time and a miracle to not get at least 1 coat of paint in this house} and upholster the rush seating since 1 is in really bad shape {thanks Laws.} I’ll keep you all in the loop on what I decide.