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corie_cheeseman

Black dining table blues

5 years ago

I had this custom pine table made and deeply regret choosing the black varnish.

Any suggestions of how lighten this dark piece with lighter paint, table runners, etc.? Or is the black color not that bad?

Comments (16)

  • 5 years ago

    I love the way it looks!

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you!

  • 5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    the table appears to be fine. What's not great is your lighting.

    1. it's way too high.

    2. It's way to yellow. Bring in some higher temperature bulbs. (3500-4000K)

    a dining table needs a chandelier.

    this is a really tall ceiling like you have. Notice the lights, the table, chairs, accent rug, etc. I also like the wainscot and the built in bench seating for the table. This would look perfect under your tapestry


    it wouldn't hurt to get a nice rug to layer on top of what's there

    try this:


    can't see the ceiling, but if it's that high, you could paint it a deep blue or black and get a cool light


    maybe a chandelier like this one to match the beige tones in the art and the rug




    the tapestry on the wall looks out of proportion to the table. (and it looks off-kilter)

    you could add 2 lighter chairs to the table, or put one in each corner

    you need some height. You could do a tall plant in the corner.

    to be honest, the table is too small against that wall tapestry. you could have used a table almost double what that one is.

    Or, find some smaller art on the wall

    remove the table runner and get a nice center piece. see this blue vase on this table?

    This type of table chairs, area rug and center piece are exactly what works w/that tapestry.



  • 5 years ago

    I love the table and the art. All the suggestions that Beth gave you too but I think the benches make it look a bit like a picnic table! Think about getting chairs for this nice room after you get the lighting and other things done.

  • 5 years ago

    I’m wondering why you had the table made so small; it appears you have room to go longer. I am not one for accent walls but if you keep the art a darker background color would enhance it.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for these great suggestions! I’m unclear whether I should swap out one of the benches for two chairs of some kind to make it less picnic-y. Thoughts?

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks Beth!

  • 5 years ago

    It reminds me of the restaurant appearance with low seating, casual, and bright fabrics, and the atmosphere. Is Beth's 2 end chairs idea a possibility?

  • 5 years ago

    Ya know what - I glanced, but didn't realize, have "a problem" with 2 benches... the tapestry caught my eye, and that's a good sign... how do you feel in person? like it?

  • 5 years ago

    No need to lighten the set, but let's see the rest of the area, for better responses! What is the light up there?

  • 5 years ago

    Following...

  • 5 years ago

    Recessed lighting on a 14” high ceiling. I can’t invest in further lighting right now.

    Perhaps I could remove on the benches and replace with two light colored upholstered chairs. Aren’t cloth chairs a bad idea re: potential stains from eating, etc?

  • 5 years ago

    Ps. I’ve ordered a small West Elm console table to go to the right of the table against the wall with a mirror above it. Wondering if this will work? Or perhaps stick with two large upholstered chairs and a large plant instead?

  • 5 years ago

    Beth H. Do you know where the 4th photo came from? I am in love with those chairs!

  • 5 years ago

    It's a console on the small side you said - your set doesn't need a wood 'giant' but could be that a fairly large abstract canvas art could go above it ..

  • 5 years ago

    slickydia,,, sorry, no. they look like vintage reproductions. I sure you could search the image.