Now that I see the space and the room, I think something slightly leggy might work. I love the second piece you found, but I think it might take over the room.

I like the style of piece in the second photo you just posted. I agree it needs some legs to lighten it up and seem more airy. Not so heavy feeling.

Funny because I like the second one too. I just keep thinking oh, Crate and Barrel, how lame. But not everything gets to be a star. Sometimes we just need function!

PS it also gets rave reviews on the web site.

Hey, it's me again.

I'm a bit leery of ordering from Wayfair, but I like this. I'd want to change the knobs, though.

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/charlton-home-jerez-server-chrh4555.html

And this! Am I veering too rustic again?

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/moti-furniture-durango-server-vem1041.html

I don't like the second one. Too rustic or too something.

I like the glass doors on the first one, but actually like the shape and look of the Crate and Barrel one better. Do you have a C&B near you to check it out in person?

Find out what it would cost you to return either one. I've ordered a few small things from Wayfair and had to cover shipping for returns.

I need to double check to see if the width of the C&B piece will fit. The one w/ glass doors is 8" smaller so I know that will fit. Painting is finished as of today so tomorrow, I will go over to swoon and double check some measurements.

I do have C&B stores nearby but that sideboard isn't on display at any of them. One good thing about C&B is that I am getting my second sofa delivered in a couple of weeks, so they could hopefully add the sideboard to my delivery. If they deliver it on the truck and I don't like it in person, can they U-turn it back into the truck? I will ask my salesperson if I decide to go for it.

I guess you could refuse to accept it? At least you could theoretically return it to the store without paying shipping like you would the Wayfair one.

I keep going back to the first one. I really like that piece.

I just saw this online.

https://www.ebth.com/items/8824024-vintage-walnut-sideboard

Eandh, the red one?
I like the shape and style too but loving the color. Maybe if the paint was stripped and stained two tones or even painted a more luxurious color. Like a matte black or charcoal or navy. Or real glossy with the wood top. It has lots of options and could look really cool.

Maybe Beth can be flagged down I think she refinished pieces like this and may have some suggestions.

I meant * not loving the color.

Okay, everyone who likes the red buffet...it’s around $2000. Still like it? I’m not being fresh, I’m just saying it’s a factor. I need to have zero reservations if I’m spending that much. DH isn’t super helpful as he just says “yep, buy it” about everything I show him.

mom2sulu, thanks for the idea but I live in Boston and that piece has to be picked up in OH. And it’s a little too long anyway. I mean the buffet, not the trip. Haha.

DH likes the C&B buffet, and the size works. Not pulling the trigger yet, but it’s a good possibility.

Another reason IMO (as I continue obsessing) to get a more simple, understated buffet is that I’ll probably be hanging a great painting on the wall over it. I’d rather let the art steal the show, rather than the buffet.

No I don’t think it’s worth $2000. At all. Especially since I’d want to modify it somehow.
I think you could find something similar and add a top thing like that and paint it/stain it for much much less.
I like the C&B better anyway. I think it looks elegant but simple. And if you will have art then it’s nice enough to play a supporting role without competing. IMO.

From all of your options, and based on the cost of the red antique one, I vote for C&B (how much is it?).

The first Wayfair one looks wavy/curvy, which I think is wrong. The second one from Wayfair is just too... too.

C&B one is 999 minus 15%.

Since your TV stand and table are both Arts and Crafts style, I’d stick with that aesthetic.

Umm here’s another from CL. I’d want to paint the bottom a different blue, I think. Too chunky? It is less wide than the C&B tho, so more wall would show on either side.

Have you looked at CL?

54" long, 150.00

https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/atq/d/antique-oak-buffet-sideboard/6588010821.html

500.00, but not sure it'd fit. https://boston.craigslist.org/gbs/fuo/d/oak-victorian-sideboard/6581078361.html

395.00 . Probably not, but, https://boston.craigslist.org/nwb/fuo/d/basic-witz-mid-century/6586684517.html

Yes, I think we cross posted since I just posted a CL offering! I’ve seen all of those...the depth of the first 2 give me pause. But I have looked at those at least a few times!

I should have known :)

You think 23" is too deep? It may be useful for serving.

Also, if you paint a piece, I'd look at General Finishes milk paint. It's not like regular milk paint but rather rated indoor/outdoor, requires minimal prep and dries to a hard finish. Just painted an old dresser that had a terrible, shoddy previous paint job, and so far, it's held up beautifully, incl. some spills.

DH: “I still like the red one.”

Can you make a lower offer on the red one? Maybe if you could get the price lower, even just a little, it may make you feel better about buying it. If it's been there awhile they may be more willing just to see it gone.

The CL ones will require you're time. Some people have more money than time, and some have more time than money.

If you love it and keep going back to it, then it's probably worth the money. If so, I'd live with it for awhile as-is before considering painting it or anything. It may not need it.

Have you looked at eBay with narrowing it down to your zip code for items?

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Tiger-Oak-Sideboard-Buffet-w-rare-curved-glass-china-cabinet/122812176885?hash=item1c982d19f5:g:ehoAAOSwB3BaDcCF

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1880s-Crotch-Mahogany-Sideboard-Lion-Head-Brass-Drawer-Pulls/332634088453?hash=item4d72896405:g:iT0AAOSw86Jae08o

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Oak-Server-side-board-great-condition-1900s/172806883806?hash=item283c17c9de:g:MCgAAOSw~RhZhKNf

Found these within 100 miles of you. I really love the crotch mahogany one!

Sue I really like how the shape and top finish of the last CL piece you posted would play with your table. Wrong color as you say, though.

I like that blue CL one but worry about the space inside and how easy it will be to get anything in/out of it. The doors seem small for the width of the piece. But it could be different in person.

I really like the look of adding a painted piece to the mix. Especially since you have a variety of wood tones going on between the DR and LR.

I like the red one too.

No soccer, the room is long and kinda narrow and I’ve measured and determined that somewhere around 18-20 would be ideal and 23 could be pushing it a bit. I have never had a dining room big enough for any kind of sideboard, so any amount of “counter” space is great!

Czarina, exactly why I keep coming back to the idea of a painted piece.

And I would offer less on the red buffet...DH and I are going back to that store together tomorrow or Sat., so we’ll see. I think when I see the red guy for a second time, I’ll know if he’s Mr Right. ;-)

This one also about 100 miles away in So Portland Me has a slight reference to the shape of your Craftsman pieces. Lammerts Antique Buffet - $350

Hmm that one doesn’t speak to me. And why doesn’t everyone list dimensions? That’s been annoying as I go thru listings on CL and my local FB sales.

I like the blue CL one you showed.

Have you looked at the Facebook Markerplace? I’ve seen lots of great furniture used for staging or in lightly used rooms.

Yes I still like the red one.

I like the funky red piece for your space, but would definitely want to negotiate on the price as it seems quite high. If it were me, I would probably stalk Craigslist for something you love... But then you might end up like me, taking forever to find pieces and furnish your beautiful new house. I just think the quality of older pieces is so much nicer than C&B and most new furniture (Stickley excepted).

If you were in my area, I'd suggest this piece, which I've been ogling for weeks and wondering if I need in the hallway between our kitchen and breakfast nook...

I keep seeing pieces like that -- seems like there's a ton of them out there -- and it's been tempting, but I am trying not to be so "matchy".

Bought the red sideboard! Very happy.

Good job Sueb! Excited to see how it looks in the room. Post some pics soon!

Great! I liked the red best.

Picture!! :) Happy for you!

Great find and good for you for going with your gut!!! Post pics once it’s all put together.

Thanks! It’s still at the store. Floors are being refinished this week and next week, so it will be a while before it’s in its rightful home.

PS I also bought a red painted “fruit picking ladder”...just because.

I love that piece ... and the color. Not sure about the art placement. Looks a bit crowded. Maybe something smaller for that space.

Perfect! I think a lighter piece of art might set off the buffet better, or maybe something that lets the wall color show a bit above it. It may just be the lighting in the pic, but it looks a little too much dark in that spot.

I don’t have all my art here yet, but I tried this one. Not there yet, this isn’t exactly right, but it feels better.

That looks much better.

Actually, I think that looks wonderful! I like the proportion and colors; the frame looks like a good complement and the art makes me feel happy.

So glad you got that piece - it's useful and interesting - just the right amount of quirk IYKWIM.

I like that art more than the first but think I'd like to see multiple pieces there instead of one large one. Like 1 medium and 2 small next to it, one on top of the other. I think the mass of the sideboard could use some asymmetrical breathing room up top.

Sueb, it looks great!
I love that it has some height to it for mixing drinks or serving platters.
Initially I liked the first painting even though it was dark, bc I liked how it had green and the wall was green and then the bottom half of the wall was red with the cabinet and rug.
But the second print looks so much better bc of how bright it makes it look. The first was definitely a dark hole.

There is some extra room on the sides of the print but I kind of like it. Maybe see what kind of items will sit on the cabinet before adding more art. In case you have a tall something.
You did great!