Your table looks fabulous and really accents your island nicely. You could do so many things, so just throwing out one idea here. I think using some pale yellow placemats will balance out the predominant color in your room. Using a low bowl/vase with greenery and floral display would add more color yet still blend in.

{{!gwi}}

Here is a link that might be useful: ZGallerie

I have wood, don't like tableclothes to hide the wood. I had a local glass company cut 1/4" glass to fit my dining room table, a small buffet and a coffee table in my family room. It is a pain to clean the dust (I burn a wood fireplace 24/7 all winter) but the wood tops are safe from my 3 kids, 2 cats and 2 dogs.

No suggestions on decorating, but your kitchen is beautiful!

Vamp- i love that fresh flower arrangment- can you make it for me lol

Sandra- we talked about a glass top but honestly we are more "wood" people-- even if it means the kids will mark it up.... we want to keep the wood top-- the scratches will remind me i have kids haha

so looking for ideas on what to put on the table? Table runner?? for every day use

I love your kitchen! Just a quick question about your refrigerator. What brand is it? I also can not tell from the picture if it is the french door style or side by side. I would put a pretty runner on your table and scrunch it up with a pretty centerpiece like a tall basket of artificial fruit. I love Vamps idea- if you did that than you would not need a runner. My kitchen table has a runner that I designed with several different fabrics and tassles on each end. I scrunch it up and have a pretty iron basket on it.

For a more casual look I would put place mats and a big bowl of fruit. For a more formal look I would put a table runner and flowers.

gracie= thank you- it is a GE french door with double freezer drawers- I LOOOOVE IT!!! great storage--

How beautiful~
I would use a pretty table runner and a big glass hurricane vase and candle!

I would use a tablecloth for active family mealtime and take it off afterwards;
a woven wood runner with a centerpiece would look good after meals, I would not want a contrasting fabric on your table, just a same tone texture.
Beautiful kitchen !!

How about a tray (dark woven) that would hold "stuff" like a candleholder, salt/papper/napkin holder etc. Easy to remove for crafting -- and looks really pretty!

You can buy an inexpensive vinyl, flannel-backed tablecloth to put on WHEN THE KIDS ARE USING IT, then just fold it up and stash it when they're done.

I love your new set; would you mind telling me where you bought it?

How about having glass cut to fit? My dil has glass on her kitchen table for the same reasons ~ kids! ~ that you mention. She puts old fashioned oilcloth over the glass when the kids are doing crafts, pretty tablecloths over the glass when she's being fancy, but for the most part it's a ceramic flower arrangement on a doily on the glass.

Actually, don't tell my dil, but I think she overdoes the glass a little. She has it on her dressers, coffee table, end tables, almost all the wood in her house. It sure works well to protect the wood, though, and looks great, too. There are several kinds of glass, some more functional, some more invisible than others. DIL uses both.

Your kitchen and new table are beautiful.

Maybe I'm lazy, but I personally find it a PITA to have a runner on a table that gets used frequently. Take it off, put it back, take it off, put it back, etc. When we used our dining table for everything (from meals to homework), I kept the placemats stacked in a pile in the center of the table, topped by a colorful bowl that was the perfect size to hold a pile of napkins. Practical, but if you choose carefully, it can be decorative too.

Right now, our kitchen table is naked except for a black metal oblong bowl-type container. The container fits a stack of napkins as well as a cup that contains pens and pencils, since this is where I sit to make shopping lists, do the daily crossword, etc., and DD often does her homework there too.

Since glass can very easily be broken, I cannot recommend a glass top. I agree that a nice, low centerpiece that is easy to move if necessary is the best way to go.

Children can be taught to take care of the wood. They can be told if they are writing, to be sure to put a magazine under it. At least that is what I did, and my table of 30 years has no scratches from the children doing homework.

Vamp- i went with your suggestion and just changed it a bit-- i went to michaels craft store-- we used hydrania flowers... potperie with color (browns/greens to match the kitchen) and a lighter weight glass bowl so i can move it when i need to (on the weekends for dinner)-- week days are more casual for meals!

FYI Red cloth is there for temporary so the table doesnt get scratched-- i will be searching for a table runner that will go in its place...

Gracie- table /chairs are by Bermex

Sueb- wish i had seen your post- i love the idea of a bowl for napkins/pens etc (practical) ahhh well.... when i get tired of this i will use that idea...

I am VERY happy with my flowers-- looks so warm....

Now i will be on the hunt for runner and placements- to be continued....

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

{{!gwi}}

VERY pretty~

Have you thought about a "Table topper?" Here's a picture of mine, it's lace, you you can get one made or bought out of any material, and have the wood edges show.

I have a large floral arrangement in the center of the table now.

I'd also keep some vinyl placemats on hand for the kids to use when they sit there. :)

{{!gwi}}

I like seasonal decor, but always something easy to pick up and move. I have a collection of small glass vases for sticking whatever's blooming in the garden this week (or a grocery store bouquet in the winter--I divide them up for several vases and rooms.)

I have a happy little collection of seasonal table cloths...none too expensive and I often scrunch them up to make a center 'puddle' on the table with a vase or decorative bird house or basket in the very center. I'm a fabric girl, so I love the splash of color and whimsy fabric can add.

I think using your prettiest large serving pieces as centerpieces is fun, too.

I LOVE your kitchen! Beautiful!!! What color are the walls?

thank you so much- walls are SW Ivoriee

Hi suzienj- that looks wonderful! Perfection!!

thanks shelia-- i am so thrilled with the new table and now the new centerpiece- all the little details makes it feel like home-- at some point i'll need to think about bar stools-- i can get matching bar stools ot the kitchen table seats but i'm trying to decide whether i want to match (which i rarely do) or go with something completelty different--- i know we want backs on the stools -- hmmmm
thank you all!