Relax, your choices are neutral.

You can tie the warm colors together with paint.
You can make the glass top table "warmer" by putting a floor length tablecloth on (that you can change any time you like).

You could also go for a tile that is closer to a "wood" color (or one that mimics wood) if you want.

Everybody second guesses. I don't think there's a single TKO'er who hasn't had a sleepless night or two due to remodel angst. How about a large, round, warm colored area rug underneath the dining area?

There's a big difference between what you see when you're in the middle and what you see when it's all done and decorated. I'm with Rubyfig. Your choices sound fine. We all get to the point where we smack ourselves and wonder what we were thinking, but it generally comes right in the end.

The horizontal surfaces tend to interact and it sounds like your Corian and floor tile ought to be fine together. The metal dining set is a great contrast to the wood cabinets. It'll give definition to the dining room. What I'd do, is use a paint color to unite the spaces, maybe a taupy green that would make all the finishes you have so far pop.

Then I'd put a light beige (to tie into the countertops, and be different than the floor but not so different to make the room look smaller) grass cloth rug (mat) under the table and chairs. The organic nature of the rug will bring the glass and metal into the things from the earth realm, warm up the look, give further definition to the dining area, and warm your toes without looking like you're trying to fuzz over the tiles.

Add a wooden bowl to the table for a centerpiece--there are some great monkeywood ones new at the market or cheap from garage sales, that should go with your cabinets. Use as a container for a flowering plant, for a pile of apples, some glass balls, or whatever. Put a square of dark cloth (a cheap napkin) under the bowl (black, red, burgundy, or dark green).

Install your cabinets! It'll be lovely!

plllog hit just about every point beautifully. Don't forget artwork on the dining table wall. Something organic. Maybe the mat around the frame in something like grasscloth with a darker wood frame like your cabs. It'll be beautiful!

I just had to laugh (kindly) because I would like to get tile, but am leaning toward hardwood because the tile will be way too much upkeep :-). While you are in the polar opposite place.

I have found myself checking out every single light tiled floor I come across and staring at the solid black grout lines that you can't even tell wasn't ever anything other than black except for noticing the inch or so where the grout meets the wall, where footprints haven't stepped and the grout is a nice beige there. It brings on nightmares of myself having to spend hundreds on a steam cleaner and having to steam clean the grout lines every other week! UG. I think I'll take hardwood!

I don't know what advice to offer you except consolation that we've all been there. I think for most people when you've made the right choices, enough peace to move forward comes, but wow, for the TKO, it's tough. We guess, second guess, and triple guess each choice it seems! What you describe doesn't sound bad. And worst case scenario, if you finish and decide the table is too cold, then you replace that one element. That would be an easy fix to warm it up.

It sounds like you have a nice plan! I've been going through the same thing about the floor (taking out a wall and combining the kitchen/dining space.) Putting a rug under the dining table will definitely warm it up and help tie it all toghether. I've balked at a rug under the table, but if you buy inexpensively, it's definitely doable. A warm pain color and some window treatments will definitely keep things homey and inviting.

This process is hard! But you're doing great.

There are things you can do to warm up your dining space. A rug or even a table cloth come to mind.

Maybe if you play with the idea of a warmer/darker tile it would have more of the warmth you see in hardwood without the upkeep. Although, just me, but between upkeep of the tile and hardwood, hardwood is easier. Tile care is simple, but grout makes me scream.

Please, won't someone explain to me what's so hard about keeping grout clean? I keep hearing it over and over but don't get it. I understand in underventilated showers where you can get mold, but otherwise I'm just stymied. I have tile floors with grout, stone tiles with grout, lots of tile, and tile going in, and I've never had trouble keeping grout clean. I used to think it was because standard white grout (as opposed to superwhite) isn't really white, it's more greige, and darkens to that eh color as it becomes hard dry (over a few weeks or months). But black? Why would beige grout be black? Do those people never mop? Is it mold? What makes it black?

I was just about to ask if someone could explain why there would be a problem with the "upkeep" of hardwood! =D

There was tile in the kitchen of our old apartment and no matter how much I scrubbed it, I could never get the grout to look clean. I even tried bleaching it. I'm thinking that it may have never been sealed. In my present bathroom, DH cut himself shaving and there is a drop of blood that stained the grout that I haven't been able to get out no matter what I've tried ... also leading me to think the installer didn't seal the grout well.

Well, I was just about to go curl up in a ball when I decided to check for a response. Wow. thanks guys, each and every one of you. I think I might even be able to sleep tonight, and just maybe start scheduling the subs! I am going to take all of your great suggestions and the confidence you gave me and move forward. I think. No, really - haha! I especially love the idea of the wooden bowl on the table. That sounds like it will bring some balance too. Monkeywood? I'll have to check that out.

About the tile, I also have tile in my bathrooms, foyer, and laundry room and don't have grout issues. But I was concerned about grout in the kitchen because of spills and things, so I am getting epoxy grout. I understand that is supposed to be very easy to keep clean. What I was most worried about with hardwood is scratching it up with the chairs and stools and traffic flow and dog and also standing water - dog, ice maker accident, etc. But I sure do think it would look nice though.

Thanks, Erika! I do get the badly/not sealed thing. I've dripped blood, red paint, wine, and every kind of gunk imaginable and had no problem with staining. I thought the paint was going to do it for sure because it dried in place, but none of the pigment leached through and it came off pretty easily. I guess the guy who built the house did it right! :) (Amazing considering how loving hands at home the tile setting is!)

Squigs -- sorry. I forgot. "Monkeywood" is a local joke that goes back to a children's story, the details of which I forget. The real name is monkey-pod wood, and it comes from Hawaii and similar places, and was very popular in the '50's. There are beautiful carved shapes in all kinds of bowls and servers. It's popular again now, with reasonable prices. But anything you love will do. :)

plllog, I don't have any friends with light tile in their homes (only darker tile/darker grout so it doesn't show dirt) so the only places I get to actually see light tile is in stores and public restrooms or at the gym, and almost all of it is black. I've always assumed it's dirt because it's such a uniform color of black and also assumed it's due to heavy traffic and the fact that it's likely cleaned with standard mopping, which isn't heavy duty enough to actually clean the grout.

Maybe it's different in a home environment.

Pillog, it might be that you have epoxy grout (or some kind of supersealer)? I had grout in my last kitchen and shudder to consider ever dealing with it again. The worst was when we upended the espresso machine by mistake and dumped hot grinds all over the floor. I used everything but an autoclave and never did get that grout beige again. Ugh. I also really disliked the mopping procedure where the gunk would invariably get stuck between the tiles and I'd have to do extra scrapes along the grout lines to get it all out. In comparison, my current hardwood is a total breeze. :-)

Squigs, have you seen the really cool wood-look tiles just entering the market? I agree with the others that your choices sound lovely as is, but if you're still ruminating, check these out:

Here is a link that might be useful: Many wood-grain tile selections here

Hi Squigs!

Sorry to see you are still stressing over everything. You know, you didn't mention the backsplash. That could be where you pick up a little of the chrome from the other side of the room. There are those small 2" tiles that could be mixed in to whatever your plan is (or will be). This could also work in reverse--maybe take some tile from the backsplash and incorporate it in the floor around the table--to mimic an area rug outline and turn the tiles on a diagonal within the border.

Also, remember the table is not built in. If when you get to the end and you still feel this way--SELL IT! Get something warmer. I have a hunch though that like everybody else says it will all work out and look great, especially that vent hood! ;-)

Just to update you on my progress quickly--we have our granite, the venting for the hood has been completed, and some of the doors have been hung (we do a couple every night).

It's going to be nice, Squigs, and yes you're going to have to do some decorating, but that's part of the job!

As far as tile vs hardwood, Hmmmm. Tough one. Tile is indestructible (unless you drop a Pyrex 8C measuring cup on it) but wood is flatter and thus easier to clean...but it's more absorbent so you have to be more careful when you wash it.

I have the worst of both--most of the wood flooring in my house has GROOVES. I don't recommend that...it's like wood with grout.

Hi Squigs,

Your kitchen cabinets, flooring, counters, all sound wonderful and coordinating! I agree with beekeeperswife, if you don't like the table and chairs in the end, replace them. We have a glass table and really love it - you could always just replace the chairs if it's too much metal. I think it sounds great. From a worrier: don't worry so much! :)

Okay, I am going to post a link to the dining set so you can see what I'm dealing with. We don't have it yet but when I show the pics to people the responses I get are more "Whoa" than "Wow", if you know what I mean. My daughter said it looks like a space ship. Anyway, DH and I really liked it when we saw it and actually wanted it for the sunroom, which isn't built yet, figured we'd just use it in the DR until we get the sunroom. Now I'm afraid the sunroom may never happen and we'll be stuck with it, so that's why I want to make sure our flooring and all goes with it. But yes, we can always sell it on CL if it comes to us hating it. BTW, our seat cushions are not what is in the pic. they are a nice fabric in ivory and beige and gray.

I actually do like those wood look tiles, but can't get DH to go along with that. I tried!
Karen, glad to hear your kitchen is coming along. I bet you can't wait to get your house back!

Plllog, the monkeywood, I saw a lot of that in Hawaii, which is our favorite place to be, so that would be a perfect thing for us to look at every day!

Here is a link that might be useful: table and chairs

I don't get a cold feeling from that at all. And if the color isn't right, it can be painted. Don't let that dining set limit you. I think it'll look good with just about anything. It's "neutral eclectic".

I like the dinette set! Stainless, or satin nickel hardware on your cabinets maybe? And on the table you might be able to use those new modern "wooden" placemats. I don't have something specific in mind, but look at the link for a rough idea. It's still modern, but yet the wood would warm it up if needed.

And like fori said-paint is always a possibility. I've done wonders with a couple of cans of spray paint!

Here is a link that might be useful: wood placemats from Crate & Barrel

Me too! I like it! It's curvy and sinuous. And not at all cold feeling. It also looks comfortable! Just be careful with your colors, if that's a good representation of the color of the metal. It's very light and breezy (and will be great in the sunroom if there's ever a sunroom). I was imagining a much darker color. If you put a cloth under your bowl, better an ivory or gray to match the cushions, or a natural linen. And a darker beige or soft green would be better for the rug. Something a little darker than the metal without really being dark.

If you want to tie it back to the kitchen, find some hardware with a similar curvy feeling and silvery color. It doesn't need to match, just not art deco brass or something else that's really different.

And I've seen bowls made with a similar kind of shape to your chair back. You could put fruit or utensils in one on the far side of your kitchen counter to countermirror the wood bowl on the table.

thanks everybody :]

I also love the table and chairs and feel it is beautiful. I was like that with my family room when I moved here. I started to decorate it and then got stuck and finally am getting back to making it warm and cozy. Decorating is difficult since there is no wrong or right answer but with the help of this forum, we can help each other not be afraid and be there for each other.

I love the table. You could probably put cushions/ reupholster the chairs to coordinate with window treatments if you find that it isn't tied together enough, but I don't think you'll even need to do that - it should look great, especially with hardware on the cabinets that plays off it.

You know, your table (gorgeous!) reminds me strongly of two famous mid-century designs: the Warren Platner table and the Noguchi Cyclone table. Either one can be very successfully mixed with woods and other surfaces.

Check out these inspiration photos; none of them could be called cold (and there's your wooden bowl in the last one!).

PS: the photos above inspire another idea: if you really feel the glass is too cold, you can switch it out with another table surface: wood or perhaps a warm metal. It's likely a standard size and replacement round tabletops are readily available.

Check out the page below for all the different tops you can get for the Platner table, for instance.

Chin up! It's really lovely and SO refreshingly not faux-Tuscan. ;-)

Here is a link that might be useful: platner table top choices

oh, I like those pictures! Sure does look good on the hardwood floor! ha-ha!

Plllog, any idea where I could look for grasscloth rug? I tried google search but am only finding wall coverings.

Here's the hardware pulls that I had in mind:

Here is a link that might be useful: pulls

and here's the knobs:

Here is a link that might be useful: knobs

Well, there you go! Those will look great with the dining set.

This is the first thing that came up on Google for me. There are others that are more interesting looking.

Here are some great seagrass rug textures.

They often have them at decor places like Pottery Barn, and anywhere that sells rugs.

Oops! The first link didn't post. It was Karastan. The other link is better anyway. :) As you'll see, even in the photos, grass rugs come in all kinds of soft neutrals, from beige to brown to greenish, and the edging tape makes a big difference in how the rug looks (I recommend something that's close to the color of the grass). Fancier grass rugs have the ends woven back so there isn't edge tape, but the tape protects the edge where you're moving chairs, etc., and costs less. ;)

If you want to save a few bucks, you can also find pretty reasonable bamboo rugs that almost mimic the look and feel of wooden flooring. I used to have one in a rental apartment and loved it over the yucky rental carpeting. It gives you the same nice smooth feel and glide for your chairs as wood.

Here is a link that might be useful: bamboo rugs at Overstock for example

thanks for the rug info. Much appreciated!

i think your dining set is great! don't think it looks cold at all - and if you do get that sunroom i think it'd be great there also!

go for it!

btw, I don't normally like a lot of metal...or modern metal stuff.

I do like the idea of maybe setting in some small accent tiles into your flooring - maybe with a touch of metallic in it.

I think I'll have both the tile floor people and the wood floor people beat for ease of cleaning - i'm putting down sheet vinyl! lol!!!

Desertsteph - I just went into my favorite flooring store to look again at the hardwood, and found a vinyl that I love! It would solve all my issues and save me thousands! I'm taking DH this weekend to see it. They have it installed on their floor, and I had my seat cushion, countertop sample, and cabinet door with me. I couldn't believe how great it all looked together. It looks like a mix of large and smaller grey and beige stone. Sort of brings it all together. Only thing is, it's not stone, and I'm just not sure how I feel about doing that. But the thousands of dollars I can save might sway me, along with the ease of cleaning and the feeling that If I want to change it down the line it won't kill me! So the indecision continues...

Squigs -- do it! Sounds like a great solution, and very easy for upkeep. (Another nice thing about vinyl is that it's sound-absorbent, which is a big plus with any metal or glass furniture.)

My camera is broken, but I may take pics with my sister's tomorrow. I'll let you all weigh in :>

A couple things I didn't mention in my first post is the issue we have with our floor underlayment. To tile it the right way, we have to rip all our particle board out and replace it with plywood, and it is a messy and costly process. On top of that, DH's income is HALF of what it was a year ago because he is in sales and directly tied into the economy. Also, he suffered a head injury a few months ago which he is still having problems with which is adding stress to this whole process. So unfortunately, we are doing this at a bad time for us and really had bigger plans. So I'm trying to save money where I can, and I don't have a problem with that. Okay. I think I just talked myself into the vinyl! I'll start a new thread with pictures.

Thanks again everybody, and sorry for whining. I know these problems are miniscule compared to what many others have to deal with.

(everybody here is so sick of me and all my indecision. It's nice to be able to come to this forum for objective opinions and support :)

Hi squigs: I love your table and chairs. They're very cool. Just to chime in on the hardwood end of things, we have hardwood throughout the house, including the kitchen and attached family room. We lived with it for eight years and it only started really needing a sanding and refinishing in the last year or so. I think hardwood would look great with that set. To ease your mind about scratches just be sure to put floor protectors on every chair or other piece of furniture that you may move. The ones I buy (from Home Depot) you can either nail in or use adhesive, but they are a plastic bottom, not felt (which falls off) and they really help protect the floor. Good luck!