Remember Prince’s “Little Red Corvette”? Well, get that tune in your head and instead, let’s sing “Little Red Dinette”. Readers recently uploaded 217 vintage dinette sets — and what become very clear, very fast, was the amazing diversity of kitchen dinette designs and colors there were back in the day. In this first followup story, we illustrate this idea with red, red and more red dinette sets — it’s kind of epic, actually — 23 red dinette, in all, and there were even more in the uploader. Continue on, and join us in taking a look at the diversity of these styles — inlaid laminate table tops, solids, and the earlier-model porcelainenamel metal tops…. dinette chairs… and cool upholstery, too. What inventiveness! What charm! What cheer!
Red dinette sets with inlaid laminate table tops
Could a vintage red dinette get any sweeter than this little package — all tied up with an inlaid bow. So sweet. This dinette set looks great in Lori’s pastel kitchen.
This curved inlay design on reader Dianna’s dinette top is more minimalistic (which may be why I adore this particular set). Another favorite part is how the backs of the chairs curve to match the table top inlay — and are also lined with red to mirror the table top. Now that’s good design.
Tables with one central leg like the one above are particularly desirable if you are trying to squeeze a lot of chairs around the table — perhaps for a game of cards? Not only does this table have a wonderful apple design inlaid on the top, but the thick red cracked ice sides have a fun diamond stud design — which really makes this table special.
Here’s another whimsical inlaid design — with tulips — paired with light grey cracked ice chairs and one wildcard yellow chair to complete the set. (Is the extension from a different table, we wonder?)
Hey, here’s the same table top design paired with red chairs and some plaid wild card chairs for a completely different overall look. It just goes to show you how versatile these colorful dinette sets can be. Nicely staged photo!
This bold, graphic table top design is well complemented by the red and white upholstered chairs trimmed with white piping. Nice!
Here’s another sweet inlay — which reminds me of a doily draped off the sides of the table. The design on this table goes very well with the curtains in the background, don’t you think?
This cracked ice leaf pattern within the grey stripe makes this tiny table feel longer than it actually is — a great visual trick for a cute little table set.
And hark — is that plaid — paired with some fancy two toned grey and red cracked ice chairs? When will they be serving the apple pie?
Solid color dinette sets
This cute little red dinette looks like it may be square — and that it just fits into this corner of reader Becky from Iowa’s kitchen, just a wee babe with two matching chairs.
Reader Uncle Atom has a dinette with some very unusual legs on both the table and the chairs. Don’t you also dig the chair backs and that extra wide chrome rim around the table edge?
Reader Jamie_abe confessed that their dinette is not vintage — but that doesn’t make it any less adorable. It must be the showpiece of their pale blue and white kitchen — sitting next to their polka dot curtains. Jamie, where did you find this? We need to identify resources for quality reproductions.
The compact dinette above is very pleasing to the eye — with rounded seat backs, curved chair and table legs and rounded corners. There is even an accompanying Cosco step stool parked over in the corner. Together with the wallpapered accent wall and the decor — this is a charming vintage country kitchen.
Another favorite of this round up — this dinette from Brian and Keri’s kitchen — love those atomic starburst vinyl chairs! The set really pops off the electric blue wall and you can see how much this table is loved by the mirror finish on the chrome.
The rounded table in this reader’s set coordinates well with the rounded end of the cabinet — and adds just enough red to liven up a fresh white kitchen. Pop! goes the color!
During the holidays, reader Venice010′s set fits right in with the aluminum tree. At first glance you barely notice that two of the chairs are two-tone in red and grey cracked ice vinyl and the other two are red fiberglass chairs — further evidence of the mix-and-match versatility of the dinette.
You’ve gotta love a wide band of chrome all the way around the table top — like the set above.
Might this set and the previous set be siblings?
The looped table legs on reader Kathy D’s dinette set are unique — as well as how the thick red edge, chrome banding and grey table top all come together as one.
Booth dinette sets
Just when you thought there couldn’t be any more variations of a red dinette — ta da — booths. I wonder how many milkshakes this booth has seen — it looks like it belongs in a 50s diner.
This charming red booth is the perfect place to cozy up for a cup of coffee — and a cuddle with this retro loving kitty.
Who wouldn’t want to sit at this built in booth — with its chicken upholstery — and surrounded by what looks like knotty pine for a family game night? Count me in.
Enameled dinettes
Last, it would have been unfair to exclude this cute little enameled table — complete with a storage drawer — from our list. It is more vintage than retro, but fits right in with the light up juke box in this readers retro rec room. Pam says that this is her Mom’s dream kitchen table.
When readers were uploading photos of all their dinette sets, gsciencechick commented,
I haven’t had so much fun since the lamp uploader!
Yup!
Want more info about dinette sets — where to buy them, how to clean or upholster them?
See our dinette sets page