How about using wood like tiles or small planks of wood layed in herringbone patterns? Kind of like this but in a color that works with your tables tone.

Your imagining the pieces to fit in the place where the tiles would of been correct? Its a beautiful look!

Welcome aboard Scotty. You will find this a most helpful place with some terrific folks offering good advice.

Google "repurposing tile top farmhouse table"...quite a few cool ideas. Also, would be ok replacing the whole table top or are you trying to figure out how to refill the area where the tile was?

Thank you, I just did and will now spend some time on that search!

I will also question my partner more on what he is comfortable with me doing but, we are also very very green on DIY restorations and do not have many tools at home.

I'm trying to find a solution that is under $100 ideally. My original thought was to just lay down a new wood top painted white on top of the existing top.

Here's an easy idea. You can look into vinyl floor tiles. There are some pretty realistic wood-look tiles! They would wipe up easily and be easy to cut and stick. If they are not the exact correct thickness, you would have to think of a solution for an underlayment, but a flooring store or big box store might help you. You could also get a glass top cut to fit. That is pretty inexpensive, and would provide an easily cleanable, flat surface.

Mrs. S, this is a wonderful idea. Where does one purchase glass that can be cut to that size? Would Plexiglass work as well? Could I also glue a piece of plexiglass to the top of it and then lay down tile or vinyl tile on that?

You don't want plexiglass on top - it's very easy to scratch when cleaning and also can get cloudy from certain things used on it. And you can find a more affordable underlayment than plexiglass. It's not cheap. Any mirror/window store can cut glass to fit your table. But you'll probably exceed your budget with glass.

Maybe not modern enough, but I was thinking copper tiles would look good, esp with glass over them so they are easy to clean and won't discolor. Or maybe a piece of sheet copper, tho' not sure the cost. It would develop patina (if not under glass) but that could be cool.

Also, formica makes some fabulous patterns; it would be beautiful and carefree. Not sure of cost, though, but maybe even a remnant would work.

Here are the Formica metal-look options: http://www.formica.com/en/us/products/decometal#range-image-panel

Armstrong makes linoleum flooring that you could use, but you can also buy vinyl tiles at Home Depot and cut them to fit. They come in 12" squares. If it were my table, I would finish the cavities left by the tiles and have glass cut to fit the cavities, but once those are in, they are difficult to remove, unless you make finger holes in the top. You could put grasscloth under the glass, and that could cover the finger holes, if necessary.

This could be an option.......

reclaimed-wood-walls

I would do broken tiles of your choice and make a mosaic top

Since you say you like the Herringbone, here are some DIY instructions using a very similar table Herringbon Table DIY, the bottom is white but you could always strip and restain the bottom.

Wrap the top in stainless steel. There are several DIY websites where it's been done and doesn't appear to be too difficult. Sheets of SS can be purchased at HD or Lowe's.

You can buy sheets of what looks like antique tin ceiling tiles, they are not metal. Lowe's has them, lots of them online. Fit them in the insets then cover with glass. It's not that expensive to have glass cut to fit. Or put down luan to bring the level up and put sheet formica in it.

How about these wood tiles, they are fantastic. wood tiles

There are also very believable contact paper types of wall paper that you could just apply and then cover it with glass. Go to amazon or Wayfair and check them out.

Wow guys, you are all incredible!

I hope this thread can help others out but I have sooo many good ideas to go off of now! I talked to my other half last night about what he is okay with me doing and apparently he is down for whatever, including painting the bottom half white if I want. Cant wait to go through all the ideas everyone has given!!

We hope you come back and show us the result.

So update on the table. My wonderful step dad who also happens to be a carpenter by trade, offered to build us a new tabletop however we want it! He plans on shipping it in two parts since he lives half way across the country but I'm ecstatic! He's currently finishing recreating this beautiful West Elm shelf for us:

West Elm Round Wooden Shelf

I believe, I will go ahead and paint the bottom white and allow the new wood top to take over the rest. I just wanted to extend my appreciation again to everyone whom replied. I hope that it is able to help others too!