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kelly_ewton

Color for dining table?

11 months ago

I just got a second hand dining set. I’m planning to paint the China cabinet navy with white interior. I can’t decide how the table and chairs should be finished. What color table/chairs? Fabric for chairs. Dining room is painted SW On the Rocks (a super light gray with bluish tint). Rug, side board, curtain ideas would also be appreciated.

Comments (11)

  • 11 months ago

    What other colors are in your house? Instead of navy I would choose a somewhat lighter blue or perhaps a sage green or a muted red. Black could wor, but it probably is too heavy.

  • 11 months ago

    Agree with @Yvonne Martin. Don't paint it navy. Paint it all white, inside and outside to show off your dishes.


    Get your table beautifully refinished in a lighter version of the current stain--golden direction to harmonize with the floors. For chairs: You could paint a couple of chairs white and leave the others traditional but refinished and/or reupholstered. Or get white modern chairs but keep one or two of the traditional ones.




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    Get a new light fixture, oblong for your oval table, something modern. This pendant echoes the oval table.

    Arteriors Beatty Chandelier, Light Beige · More Info

    Get some beautiful art work instead of a rug in grays, golds, and white--this palette but in a subject and style you like.

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  • 11 months ago

    I wanted it to coordinate with the office across the hall. It’s also navy.

  • 11 months ago

    This is why we ask posters to show us relevent areas up front instead of asking people to respond to limited visual information. Paint it navy then. The rest still applies.

  • PRO
    11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    I think you could be more creative than navy blue with a white interior. There are plenty of peel and press wallpaper that could be used inside the hutch to add some interest.






    However, I think I would paint the room navy and white and use the dining room set in the wood finish and simply reupholster the chairs. There's a Wood Salve that can be used on wood furniture that might bring that dining set back to live.





  • 11 months ago

    This is serendipity! I'm moving into my new-built home next week and the walls throughout the main living area, including dining, are SW On the Rocks but with slightly darker floors. I've been thinking for some time about what to do with my 1980s dining set. My thoughts were running in a very similar vein to those of housegal200, so it is great to know I'm not on a completely wrong path. Definitely will keep an eye on this for other ideas!

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Paint the china cabinet a darker shade than the walls. Change the hardware. Paint the table the same gray, but do it in a gloss finish. Then paint the chairs a dark navy and recover the chairs in gray.






  • 11 months ago

    what about the display cabinets the china cabinet is between? Will they remain wood toned?

    Wallpaper inside is a great idea but keep in mind how busy the blue and white pieces are --you don't want them to blend in with the background.

  • 11 months ago

    I didn’t get those display cabinets or the blue and white pieces. Only the china cabinet, table and chairs.

  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    Your office looks great so far, you seem to have good taste and good instincts so trust your gut. If you like navy, there's no reason why you shouldn't use it. It's your house. (I like navy too).

    If you pick navy, I would stain the table something with a similar visual weight so the table and hutch balance. Perhaps a light walnut that works with the floors as well.

    I have a friend who paints tired wood-stained furniture as a business, her things are gorgeous. It's not as easy as it looks on home shows but it can turn out very nice.


  • 11 months ago
    last modified: 11 months ago

    With being able to see both rooms as you enter your home (I assume), I think it‘s important they work style wise and repeat some similar shades.




    I don’t suggest starting with a cabinet decision as its end result will drive all other choices. The office is modern and stylish, so assume your home is as well. Suggest pouring over inspiration rooms and even if overall room is not perfect, note the components you like. Have a ”look” in mind that would visually connect both rooms - before you begin.


    I then searched for a cabinet combination that would mimic the inspiration room. If you like this look, combining Seaworthy and a similar stain per combo below would be lovely. Be sure to change hardware (bring home samples to test).


    Based on above, decide on how you want to finish the table, but suggest staining chairs (will wear better than paint). Surfaces will have to be stripped and sanded before staining and if painting (chalk paint and perhaps others) can be applied without the steps. Look into durability though, as it’s an important component.


    Now you can start leaning more contemporary with accessories, which will transform room. If using a rug, select before choosing chair reupholstery fabric (add extra padding as well). If not comfortable with a strong pattern, add a neutral rug, but try something classic/fun to add more character and you can always return.


    Bring home fabric samples and test with rug and don’t be afraid of mixing patterns.


    Suggest painting the chair rail the same color as walls and a new chandelier will have a lot of influence/impact. I’d use simple linen like drapes and opt for a second hand traditional sideboard refinished with the same stain and take your time finding the right art and accessories.