NY Good Questions: Similar and Less Expensive Console Table?

7.15table.jpg Dear AT,

I am currently looking for a nice modern console table to put on casters and use as both a sideboard near my dining room table and as a second prep surface in my kitchen.

I don't have a lot of space to put an island in, but the open floor plan allows me to wheel one table back and forth.

I really like both of these tables, but they are from crate and barrel and they are expensive...

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7.15table1.jpg

Does anyone know where I can get a console table styled like this, but priced so that I wont feel so guilty drilling into it to put it on wheels?

Thanks! Andrew

Comments (10)

I'm looking for the exact same thing for my Bushwick loft. Keeping an eye on this thread...

CB2: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=114&f=3841

IKEA: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80059652

Room and Board, too. They often have them in their "clearance" section if you go to the store.

How about Target? They have lots of options, and most of them are under $200.

http://www.target.com/Linea-Console-Table-Dark-Espresso/dp/B0002DFFZ0/sr=1-4/qid=1216136360/ref=sr_1_4/602-6974217-8181441?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038614&rh=k%3Aconsole%20table&page=1

http://www.target.com/Chinois-Console-Table/dp/B000TM2T1W/sr=1-9/qid=1216136360/ref=sr_1_9/602-6974217-8181441?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038614&rh=k%3Aconsole%20table&page=1

http://www.target.com/Mission-Natural-Console-Table/dp/B000087HN3/sr=1-14/qid=1216136360/ref=sr_1_14/602-6974217-8181441?ie=UTF8&index=target&field-browse=1038614&rh=k%3Aconsole%20table&page=1

I am also looking for one for my kitchen. I would to have one like the IKEA console table posted above (with a stainless steel construction), but at a 12" depth. Could something like that be modified. Any suggestions?

I would look for an inexpensive but well constructed parson's table in the dimensions I needed and then look for a chunk of marble/granite/butcher block to fit on top of it. For the size you'd need, you should be able to find an off-cut or even used piece of marble/granite/butcher block (whatever) for not too much money.

That way you could end up with an expensive looking piece of furniture in exactly the dimensions you want.

i think you need to reconsider what exactly you'll be using this for, how you might need to modify an existing piece and potentially going a custom or mod direction.

if you're using this for a prep surface, the veneered wood on your first option might not be able to stand up to the constant wear and tear of hot things, heavy things, and sharp things. the wood base may not also be as stable over time especially after hard repetitive motion (heavy chopping, kneading dough, pushing back and forth between rooms, etc).

you will also want to ensure that you've got good locking casters or it could be a very dangerous thing. look into what works best for you (some have to be switched by hand but others have a foot release/lock) and how they would have to be installed on a preexisting table and if your table base is solid enough to handle that (ie you might want bracing bars in option #2).

i like dulcibella's suggestion. i have a marble top that is only an inch thick but 18"x36" and i paid $30 for it, $5 of that went to getting it cut down to size. mine was a leftover bit from the boneyard of a stone counter shop and apparently if i went early on thursday i would have had my pick of the litter for free! (minus cutting costs of course). i also had a steel base welded for a 10' table that was a bit more complicated than a parson style for $240, at your scale it'll cost a fraction of that.

also, welded bases are much better than the bolted together ones (i'm looking straight at that ikea design). even in the showroom you'll notice how the bolts can loosen and the table will wobble - not safe for lots of cutting.

I would love to have a custom-made version, but I have yet to find someone who would be able to do that for me in the NYC area.

i can't speak for stainless steel but sometimes you need to try unusual sources. i had mine done by a guy who makes metal fences/railings (and dones fine work doing that). i believe there was a house tour or something that was reposted recently with regards to a guy who renoed his tiny nyc bachelor after immediately moving in and had his countertop done custom and even included a sink. you might want to see what his resources were.

Room & Board makes a good-looking inexpensive sturdy welded Parsons table base http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=535783&coll=377417&cat=52. Butcher block countertop cut to size, from IKEA or other locally sourced, would serve your purpose. pinstripeprincess is right about the locking casters - you don't want any work surface moving about unsafely.

(poster) Thanks for all the great ideas. At the moment i think im going to see how much it would cost to have a frame made as i have not seen anything that i like enough to spend the money on and then cut into. Ill definatley keep everyone updated as to what i end up doing since there seems to be some interest.