I think it looks fine there. Have it professionally stripped and painted cream or stained a medium brown.

What a charming set! I would like to see it carefully stripped to bare wood and finished in a mix of stained wood (for example, the chair seats and center back splat) and paint (could really be any color to go with your decor - If you want to give the set a more contemporary look, go with brighter trendier color. To keep it antique looking, stick with traditional colors. For a cottage-y/shabby chic look add foral printed ruffled chair pads and a lace table runner.

I think your set is fantastic. I wouldn't strip it, instead I would sand it and repaint it. You need to pick a colour you like and then perhaps paint part of the set a colour ( like the chairs and the tabletop ) and paint the rest (table legs) white or cream. For a less English cottage look paint it all a medium taupe colour and it will be more French.

Oh, the memories.....I had a set just like that. Would give almost anything to have it back. (Don't have any money right now though.) I am ashamed to say it was in the 'painting of furniture era' that I had my set & I painted it a Dutch boy blue. Try Annie Sloane paint I hear everyone talking about. Sounds like it might be a good choice. Clean & sand surface well though before doing anything to it. Oh, I can even see a red checkerboard cotton table cloth on it set diagonally. Of course with a cream pitcher full of wildflowers on top.

You're too funny Sandra, I think we probably were both painting everything back in the day... those were some of the nicest and most charming pieces of furniture I ever had.

I think it's charming too, especially the patina on the tabletop. I think just some paste wax rubbed into the table top would add richness and enhance the colour. Then touch up chairs and table legs with Annie Sloans old white.

Nice. :)

Yes, back in the day my new husband and I got this set out of a hay Loft and we're happy to have it. It was old but we Painted and used until we were given a chrome and Formica kitchen set....1958. The cat's meow......

Furniture that old could contain lead. So before getting paint stripped, check it for lead.

Once stripped, you could paint the chairs and the legs of the table black and use a neutral stain on the top. To complete the look, add a black chandelier (or spray paint the one you have) and some black and beige roman blinds.[houzz=];[houzz=];[houzz=]

Cream and light blue a la Carl Larsson http://www.clg.se/enstart.aspx