For kitchen islands, okay. For dining room tables, no.

I agree with Mark - happy to chop on it, but would feel a bit like an operating table to eat off...

As shown in the pic (casual counter setting), I wouldn't mind, but it would feel awfully strange at Christmas.

The casters on the table in the picture helps add to the operating table effect.

I have a SS kitchen table and love it. The top is SS, and the rest of the set is light maple wood. It was not too expensive, easy clean, and literally nothing hurts it. You can do art projects on it or leave wet glasses on it or cut right on it...and then use bleach or disinfectant on it, too. It is the most carefree furniture I own. The only downside is that it is a fixed size, and shape. No leaves to make it bigger when we have company.

For eating on it, I use placemats or a table cloth.

Too industrial feeling for me...Give me the warmth of a wood dining table

SS tables are good looking. and shiny, so good everywhere except din.

Christmas problem? Hello tablecloth. I'm eating on one now.... but it IS my desk. Wood says "tradition" and "family" and is timeless but it needs care and CANNOT be from Ikea!

I like stainless and I could probably live with a stainless dining table but my wife would probably veto it. An interesting note is that in ca'd'Zan, the home of John and Mable Ringling, they used nickel for the kitchen counter tops. The home is now a museum. According to the docent the nickel alloy is apparently softer than stainless. It is just as cleanable but easier on crystal and china. I keep looking for an opportunity to try it.

Everything has the potential to look great when used in an effective and balanced manner. I don't necessarily like the above picture, but it can look nice in other settings.

I personlly think stainless steel counters anywhere look like industrial kitchens or factory lines - very impersonal and ugly as sin.

Which sin are you comparing it to??

To Eliza: I certainly would not try to push stainless to someone who did not like it but when it comes to clean-up they are hard to beat. You know the old adage ... cleanliness is next to ....

Nothing wrong with stainless in theory. It's easy to clean and not as physically cold as stone, but It does have definite references attached to it. With some warm contrasting colors it can conjure images of a bakery, but in the wrong context it can read as a veterinary consulting room or a morgue.

Cold, which would be annoying in winter, or in any season really. I like to relax at a bench or table, and a cold surface isn't really conducive. Alternatively if the sun hits it for long enough - ouch! As well as the glare. Sorry, why would you want stainless steel.

More suitable for an island, not a dining table.

Can be either slick or warm depending on the surroundings.
Remember that dining tables can always "wear" a table cloth or runner!
Regards,
Karen & Joseph
for Decorative Philosophy

Stainless steel is very industrial but if that is the look you want go for it, Its a bit colder but its not a bad look at all

j design Group, Miami Interior Designers - Pinecrest - Williams Island - Coral Gables - South Beach - Sunny Isles - South Miami - Miami - Modern Interior Design Firm in Miami, Florida - Ocean Front Contemporary Decorators - http://www.JDesignGroup.com

I would love a stainless steel island top, but definitely not for a dining room table! While I love the industrial look, for a formal dining room table, it's just not my choice.

looks amazing but probably too cold for dining. Operating table lol

Cafeteria style - not for me...

Dont like it as a horizontal surface

What time are we doing the autopsy??

I love mine. It's very versatile for everyday use and a tablecloth is an easy answer to a more formal dinner. It works perfectly in my comfortable, welcoming home.

For the autopsy reference, when you see marble or granite do you think tombstone? When you see wood do you think coffin? It's the setting that gives meaning,

Reminds me too much of the table at my cats vet office! Seriously, it does. And to clean those of all fingerprints in a kitchen is a nightmare. No thanks!

Once had a stainless steel kitchen table and loved it. Warmth of wood base was key. We used it for art projects, didn't have up worry about spills or hot pans, cleaned up easily, it looked great (with it's well worn patina) without any linens. I miss it.

In my opinion-too cold and industrial.

I just bought a zinc topped kitchen table with wood base and love it! It feels a little "warmer" to me.

Take a look at the table tops we make at Metaltoppedtables.com They are galvanized steel with distressing,and some with a copper drip technique. They are warm looking but have that industrial look without looking like an operating room.

another picture

I would like to have wooden dining table instead of a stainless steel dining table.

I like the look but would prefer a wood top over medal.

love combination of wood and stainless or even zinc. I have satin finish stainless wrapped cupboard tops with oak and white duck drawers and in other part of kitchen white carrara marble. lovely french feel. steel need never look ugly..

I think your island is very practical when used in the kitchen. I agree with another comment regarding the wheels. I don't like the way they look on this particular piece and think it would be better without those. I also think if you kept some placemats handy to eat from, it wouldn't seem so cold. Maybe even some wooden ones or something with depth to add interest.

I'm not much into modern, but I liked this a lot. Maybe because I know how sanitary it is, If you want to make it more formal, just use a tablecloth or a runner and place mats, as others have mentioned. After all, you don't wear your old jeans and a sweatshirt when you are having company for dinner - you dress up and dress up your table as well.

great for countertop and food prep but a little too "clinical" looking for eating surface (probably great tho' if you have kids - my glass top is driving me crazy cleaning it 5X/day!)

Just had a better look at the hammered top above and I DO think that looks great!

asphome It is not a hammered top, it is etched into the metal, take a look at the website metaltoppedtables.com Thanks, glad you like it!

I like ss apliances but I have a 250 yr old black walnut tree that the arborist says has to come down. I've spoken with a counter top maker and I'm having it made into custom countertops. I will still have the memories of the grand old tree and it will feel warmer than ss .

Margaret; Harvesting the wood from your tree is an excellent way to use the lumber and keep the memories. We are in St. Pete Florida and we have a company in the area that specializes in harvesting trees from Urban areas for lumber use. You may be able to find a similar company in your area.

HI -- But , doesn't the wood have to dry for a year or two before you can use it ???

A little to cool.

Steel counters would be great, nickle or zinc are warmer and I would prefer them for a counter. The textured steel is pretty, but pretty hard to roll out dough on. I definitely prefer wood for my dining table although it is so cluttered it probably wouldn't matter.

Lefty: I believe your are correct. The wood should dry before using it. I think it may be six to 9 months but I would have to check.

IT will take six to 8 weeks to kiln dry the wood before you can use it. Only a lumberyard that knows this type of wood can do it or they may ruin the color

Oh my...So much hatin' on stainless steel! I love SS countertops. You can set hot pans on them, they are indestructible, clean-looking and timeless.

Tired, tired, tired of stainless steel...

I absolutely love that counter top! Kids could paint on it, you could sew on it, cook, serve, just wipe it off, if something was absolutely stuck to it, you could spray oven cleaner on it, and in 20 minutes, gone! Most practical counter for a working kitchen, casual of course.