Love the legs. I would definitely change the top to contrast with the legs since they will never match. Paint, stain, sand and go lighter, metal sheeting? I'd get rid of the chairs though.

Thank you for the information and feedback. I agree about the chairs! I am wondering if I could use a gel stain on this table without having to sand? I know shortcuts usually don't work but thought I would ask.

I have an antique table that has a top and bottom that appear to be different woods or stains. They are the same. In this case, sunshine coming through the window year after year caused this to happen. I have rotated the table so it is somewhat evenly "different". So far, all I've done is use Old English stain/oil/polish on it. It has helped. I think I am the only one who notices the difference. Re. the chairs, they really date the nice table. I would get different chairs.

Call a furniture maker in your area and have him make a top for you out of the same wood as the bottom.

It will likely be a lot of work for minimal results to match table top to base. It might be more realistic to go for the contrasting effect. After all, you are likely to be the only one who notices the table legs.

As for the chairs, they have potential. If you aren't intent on having a "picture perfect" traditional dining room, consider stripping the chairs, painting them a wild color or white hi-gloss, upholster in an equally unique fabric. And removing the doodads on top is a judgement call. If you did something quirky with them (red chairs, black doodads; yellow chairs, lime doodads), they would be seriously camp (!!!). Otherwise, I'd lose the doodads.

In the long run, given the amount of work involved, it might be more practical and cost effective to sell them on craig's list nad buy new. Good luck!

No top coating is going to work well to change the color, except for maybe toner. Toner over existing finishes may require a sealer to prevent any incompatibilities between the two finishes. It also requires spray application and on a large surface like this a professional spray gun is needed, not spray cans. To do anything without removing the existing finish is just like painting it, it will cover up the grain and beauty of the wood. Don't do it. It will make a mess and you will loose the depth of the wood.

If you really want to match the top and bottom both in color and type of wood, do what MS Colors said and get a new top made. A good furniture maker should be able to add walnut (if that's what the legs are) veneer over the oak veneer. But that requires someone knowledgeable and proficient in veneering.

The oak can be stripped down, grain filled, and the color matched by a competent finisher. It will never look like walnut as far as the grain goes, but the color can be matched. Again this is not a job for an amateur.

You've got a beautiful table. Do it right.

I agree with some of the other comments that you should have the top painted. Try a color to coordinate with you color scheme and keep the legs stained. Also, I would suggest that you buy new side chairs. Paint the arm chairs that you have the same color as the table top and reupholster the seats.

I'm against the painting; once you paint you've made a huge commitment on the change. I have a table very similar that my father made many moons ago. We have worn marks in the finish on the sides from where my parents rested their arms for many years. May refinish it one day, but not now. I realize those are just water marks, have you tried rubbing with mayonnaise? I think I read once that may work. On the chairs, I would sell those and get Windsor chairs! See if you like the look!

With respect to those who have heard that mayonnaise, tooth paste, or any other home remedies will repair water marks, scratches, etc on wooden furniture; DON'T DO IT! All they do is cover up the problem and will eventually make it worse. Food based products even have the potential to turn rancid and create other problems. There are products made to repair wood finishes, use them. But, don't use products like Pledge, Liquid Gold, etc. They have chemicals in them that will cause finishing problems down the road. Good old soap and water and paste waxes made especially for wood.

Chairs
http://houzz.com/photos/630787

Thank you for the information. I am not a fan of painting the table - too much maintenance down the road. She is a grand olde dame - I think I will clean her up a bit and live with her imperfections for a while. Great idea on the chairs - I may give that a try.

I have a smaller table in almost the same shape. It's been sat around, it's been scratched etc. The table shows a history of great conversation - the patina reflects the personality of the table. Personally, I would leave it alone and pick up something to clean it with from a furniture maker. Outside of this, I love the picture of the chairs from Driggs Designs above to add further personality and some contrast. My vote - leave the table alone. It's gorgeous as is and give it a light clean up. What a great pick up!

Al from one artisan to another glad to see you giving out sound advice!

HI -- The table is worth having a pro furniture refinisher work on it . With Finer Furniture it is very common for different woods to be used such as maple for a base - it's stronger .For the chairs -- yes ,you could recover them and paint them , but to me they look dated -60's -70's . I would fix the chairs then see if you like them with the table - if not then sell them and look for something more to your liking . Maybe a molded Eames chair with the chrome base or something contemporary and upholstered .

What a great table! Love the legs as well. Agree with having a pro take a look at re-doing the existing top....part of the beauty of older pieces is sometimes the story they tell. It doesn't feel to me that it needs to match exactly, or be flawless--that's part of its charm. The chairs are not wonderful enough for the table. Somehow they seem a little too fussy and spindly even without the doodads. I'd ditch the four armless chairs. Maybe there is something fun to be done as suggested above with the two armchairs, and you could use them as "art" side chairs in a living room, doodads and all. Or art them up, sell them on Craigslist and use the money towards table-worthy chairs! :)

Agree with Al the Furnituremaker that the top is oak (ir ash aka "oak on acid") and the base looks like walnut. In the first large pic, the appears to be a wood underlay with a narrow rope edge below the top. Is it possible someone added a new tip over the original?

Good eye! There is rope detailing on the apron of the table. I am not sure how the table came together. My understanding is that it is from the late 20's, early 30's. The gentleman that I bought it from said it was his grandmothers. Whether that is true or not I am not sure. I have read that years ago they mixed woods.