I wish more people were brave with colour. Here's how to do it well:- Paint the whole room even the chimney breast. Paint the ceiling off white or grey..... Sometimes a pure brilliant white is too much contrast. Make sure that the dark is used to frame lots of lighter parts- think pale curtains on a wide pole. Lots of pale pictures on the walls. Since you are drawn to the intimate look don't forget to light it well at night..... Avoid very white light, have lots of table lamps, an up lighter, lights in plants or under furniture and perhaps a few dimmers

If you're wanting a traditional look then I'd go for a dark table. You could look at getting an antique table and adding modern upholstered chairs. If you don't want somethng traditonal then I wouldn't limit yourself to a wood, just spend time looking at tables until you find something you love and then plan the decor around that

Your bedroom sounds pretty. I think with matching wallpaper and bed cover, why not try some floor to ceiling length white sheers with a white block out blind underneath for privacy. Maybe some silver and white gold and white patterned cushions for the bed.

The bottom 2 that are painted Are NOT mine...., the others all are. It’s a big old Edwardian house/ front door/ side door / also upstairs door out to balcony.... and stained glass window on landing.. Quite a project hence I want to get colours correct. (There are 16 doors over 3 floors- 98 spindles in staircase) Quotes for getting painted are over £3k..