My Crate and Barrel Knock-Off

I’ve always wanted carrara marble countertops. I know they are trendy and all over the place, but so beautiful! But let’s be realistic: probably not going to happen, and probably should based on the abuse of our current countertops. Then I saw this kitchen set at Crate and Barrel months ago, and loved it immediately. The carrara marble top, the Thonet bistro chairs. It was the perfect way to incorporate the carrara marble, without putting your drippy coffee pot on it. But it was also $1299 just for the table. (see it here at Crate and Barrel)

So I put it out of my mind thinking there was now way. But I do watch Craigslist, as you well know. And when I came across a carrara marble table, I got really excited. And then the bistro chairs followed.

Moving this slab of marble was a beast. J.May was out of town on a ministry trip, so I recruited our friend Tommy, but I helped carry this thing out to the truck too. It weighs around 200 lbs! Let’s just say we found another guy to help Tommy get it into the kitchen. I’ve still got a little tweaking to do with the table base. I’m not sure if I’m going to paint it, stain it, or find something else altogether to use as a base, but I am so excited with the way things are coming together.

Originally, I was looking for bentwood bistro chairs that I could spray paint in a glossy black, but when I saw the patina on these chairs (made in Poland and Czechoslovakia a long time ago) I knew there was no way I could paint them. They are gorg and I’ve have started a love affair with these beautiful chairs. When I started paying attention, I saw them everywhere. They remind me of Parisian cafes. *heart*

Related: Apartment Therapy on Bentwood Chairs