Dining table quandery

11 years ago

Hi. We've just had our dining room / kitchen knocked through and the dining table - which is a good, practical extending table, is pine (!) and doesn't go at all with the newly decorated rooms, and I don't like pine anyway. The colours are......... Latte- ish on 3 walls with one wall in a fresh green. Unfortunately, we have too many coloured woods going on......... dark wood piano, floor and dark brown leather chairs, light oak bookcase, cream painted ornate fireplace and yew stereo cabinet! The room is north facing and would like to not have any more dark colours in the room. Any suggestions ? I would be really grateful. Thanks Del

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Razina Bargit

11 years ago

Lovely room you have here. It has scope to bring in some much needed colour and texture. It may be scary but I would definitely consider painting your table in a lovely colour.

I would avoid the rustic look as your room is elegant. Your table appears to be in good condition so preparation will be eaier. If you're not sure about a strong colour, you could paint the legs in a strong colour, teal, turquoise or even a powder blue. Then you could paint the top in a light cream. It will help lift the colour of the room and make the woods feel more elegant. If you choose the blue green tones you could introduce pops of that colour and shades in the rest of the room such as glass vases, dining ware or even a table runner, etc. This will help tie the room together and not look too random.

I would also consider investing in a large stylish rug, have a look at patterned or a geometric style, to be placed under the table. It will make the dining area a feature in itself and bring the whole area alive, not to mention snug feet during meal times.

Good luck, would love to see before and after pics!

Some pics below to inspire

http://houzz.com/photos/10227156
http://houzz.com/photos/14673862
http://houzz.com/photos/43710

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Comments (20)

PRO
DesignRaaga
11 years ago
Here is fruit bowl that will brighten up the space
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Kitchens are a big expense - especially the chairs so I would match them to the units - the set you showed matches the colours of the chairs with the units really well, BUT, 1. The pine top doesn't work and 2. You need to add a bit of pzaz to this space. You can paint or cover the pine top with whatever colours / textures you choose as accents then follow these colours through into the pictures and the odd accessory (but don't go mad and keep most of the kitchen utensils and tools in the same colour as the background so they 'disappear' - only use subtle accent colours on gorgeous items so they stand out). This way, if you get bored with your scheme you can just change the accessories and the table top colour rather than the whole lot. Feel free to email me for more help. Good Luck! www.mendinghouses.com: ebooks / blogs / tips & tricks all about property.
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In a lot of cases, I suspect the answer would be for the same reason you do eat at a table - it's what people generally grew up doing, it's what they're used to doing and, being part of the television generation, it's just too convenient to do otherwise. Ironically, I don't tend to watch very much television at all, except when I'm sat, tray in lap, eating ... Another possibility is that not everyone has the space for a permanent formal dining table, and use one with fold-down leaves, for example, which can be hidden away behind an armchair, or somesuch, and wheeled out requiring the moving of other furniture) for special occasions - entertaining, or xmas dinner. For my own part, it's a combination of familiarity, and the fact that it's simply more comfortable to sit in an armchair, or on a sofa, tray on lap, even if I don't bother putting the television on.
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Great space. Not sure this is big enough but childproof & good price. White gloss. Two of my friends have this table. http://www.next.co.uk/homeware/dining-room/furniture/10. Dar Lighting do some great big shade pendants.
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All of them are beautiful, and final choice would really depend on the interior style and look you would like to achieve. But to choose for now it will be Dark - Blackbone reclaimed oak table.
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eeley
Original Author
11 years ago
Thanks so much for your input! I had considered painting the table, and bringing in some colour to bring everything together is a great idea too. It does feel a bit 'disjointed' at the moment. Thanks again
sloegin
11 years ago
Eeley - ther's another great site (apartmenttherapy.com) which has lots of "Before &After" examples of painted furniture, many of which give detailed descriptions of how to tackle this kind of project. I am starting off with some hideous orange- varnished side tables. There's a great Primer brand here in the UK called Zinsser. You can sand the table lightly (always in direction of the wood grain, not across the grain), then apply the Zinsser primer. There are two main types: key difference is around paint type and finish you are going for. The water-based primer must be used with water based paints, the oil-based primer with oil-based paints. Decide on the colour combo you want and the recommended durability. That will also dictate whether you finish it off with a varnish etc.. Brilliant, detailed explanation is also available on the "ModernCountry" blog (a UK site, so all the product references will be available).

Do keep us posted on your progress!
eeley
Original Author
11 years ago
This is great information, thank you.! There are so many websites out there you ant possibly trawl through all of them to find the answers you need so that is a great pointer. I'm going to visit the site today. Can't wait to get it sorted. Thanks again!
sloegin
11 years ago
You're welcome - oh, and also look at Autentico paints - much better than the Annie Sloan chalk paints range in my view.
PRO
ARC Bespoke Interiors
11 years ago
hi, you have a lovely contemporary pine table , by looking at your decor you have a white fire place if you sand you table from Top to bottom then use wood bleach to whiten/lighten the grains of wood, then use white lye dye, wait till dry apply clear wood oil by messaging it in with a cloth but doing it this way you will have so often will need to re- treat the process , the alternative you can use white stain then apply clear gloss/satin/ Matt finishing lacquer ( my preference, it give you the finish on wooden floors ,flat, finish,drys thin if applied in a professional way ) or varnish you will get a professional solid finish you can also give that treatment to the legs of your dinning table chairs , that would be a matching dinning table ,full set.
eeley
Original Author
11 years ago
This seems like a nice idea. I think staining rather than painting might be preferable as I'm a little worried about painting.........looking at what's been said previously, painting could turn out to be a mistake due to unpredictable results. Many thanks for taking the time to respond.
eeley
Original Author
11 years ago
I know I said I didn't want more dark colours, but combining one or two of the ideas offered, maybe staining the legs darkish to be similar to the wooden floor, then using a cream colour on the table top sounds a nice idea. Thanks everyone x
PRO
ARC Bespoke Interiors
11 years ago
The colour is light or medium oak the both will need to be liquid down you can go dark oak if you want but lightest is better
PRO
ARC Bespoke Interiors
11 years ago
I can t guarantee, It just prediction of the colour of you flooring lovely
PRO
ARC Bespoke Interiors
11 years ago
You can also give the oak colour treatment to the of the table to coordinate with the floor ?
eeley
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes I agree with diluting the darker colour for the legs so it matches in tone but is paler.
cinderellaslipper
11 years ago
Experiment with different colour table cloths & wipe clean oil cloths till you are content with your choice, then go ahead & paint your table
mendhouse
10 years ago
Hi there!

I painted a bargain dark wood table Fired Earth 'Flake White' to match my walls and it is gorgeous but I think you could get away with brilliant white to match your fireplace (I agree that you need to limit the colours / textures in the room for harmony), Before that (image below) it was a Farrow and Ball 'Nearly Black' (I think!). Also gorgeous.

If your table is varnished you can sand and paint but if it is waxed (run your finger nail down it in a hidden place to see if wax comes off) then you may have a bit more of a struggle as the wax will repell the paint.

I would also suggest covering your chairs with something yummy too or changing them for something less heavy.

Good luck and feel free to contact me or look at my site for more ideas:

www.mendinghouses.com: eBooks / tips & tricks / blog all things property.
eeley
Original Author
10 years ago
Hi. Is that really your view!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're right your table was lovely before too, but suits the room better now. Our table is very similar in style and it is varnished so once it's sanded I think it will take paint well. Thank you so much for your comments, I will definitely have a look at your website.
Emmanuelle
10 years ago
Sorry... Not looking at table right now! Your view is breathtaking!!! Wow!! One of the best I have ever seen... My dream!
mendhouse
10 years ago
Thank you @eeley and @emmanuelle! I have to say I feel very lucky. I downsized for that view! There will be more pics in my upcoming Case Studies eBooks (there's a newsletter opt in on the website of you want me to let you know when the books come out). Thank you Eeley for looking at my website - I do a 'distance room mend' for a small fee but also don't mind emails of the odd problem for free. There is also a free eBook on property presentation. Emmanuelle - Dreams are just 'Goals with Deadlines'. Write them down and make them happen! :) Thanks for your lovely comments. Gill
Marina
10 years ago
Wow! Fabulous view. Have just subscribed to your website and I´m going to spend the morning reading through.
mendhouse
10 years ago
Thank you @Marina! I changed some of the website / links last night so if anything is not working please let me know! Or if I can help with anything.

Dining table quandery

Razina Bargit

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