Help! Need Kitchen Table Advice!

12 years ago

Hello everyone. My wife and I recently purchased our first home. We are working on making it our own, but we can only take one step at a time.

My question is regarding our kitchen. Because we like to entertain, we are looking to purchase a new kitchen table.

Although my wife and I both like modern and contemporary design, as well as dark wood tones, as you can see the current design of the kitchen is standard oak and light hardwood flooring.

We are worried that our tastes will clash with what's in the room currently. And although we plan to address the cabinets some point in the future, it will not be any time soon.

So if you have any suggestions on a dining room table design or color, or any input on this space, please let me know!

PS - these pictures are from the showing and the final walkthrough, so the table and decorations are gone.

Featured Answer

Darzy

12 years ago

If you'd like to introduce dark furniture, I'd suggest painting the island a black/brown color and change the hardware to black or dark brown knobs. Doing that will tie in your new table finish with the kitchen. There is little contrast so I'd even suggest painting the walls a silver/gray. And, I'd remove the chair rail and paint the walls all one color since you'd like a more contemporary look. The chair rail gives it a very traditional look.

If you don't want to paint the island, I'd suggest at least getting a new dark counter top for the island (or all if an option) to add some depth and provide contrast. New hardware will do that too. Here are examples of different island color and how contrast adds interest.

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Comments (12)

User
12 years ago
I think Darz has great ideas. All can be done in a short period of time. If you are a DIYer you can do the painting and hardware updates yourself. :)
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Darzy
12 years ago
Thanks happyasaclam! I was also thinking that since your cabinets are very traditional, I would suggest more of a transitional dining table/chairs that has a touch of traditional with a modern flair. Or, like a rustic wood table, with modern/contemporary chairs surrounding.
emmmariee
12 years ago
If you can...adding a backsplash will really really help. :)
arnebergj
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you for the ideas! It's hard to incorporate a modern feel with everything being so traditional.

If we were to just embrace the current style, is there an alternative to just getting grandma's old oval oak table?
Darzy
12 years ago
I think a table and chairs like this would be just right for your space. The table is traditional yet a modern look with the chairs. Plus, the white chairs will relate to your white appliances. But, then I wouldn't paint the island black/brown, more of a "walnut" brown.
new design · More Info
arnebergj
Original Author
12 years ago
Darzy, I like the idea of fusing the styles. Do you have any examples you could show?
arnebergj
Original Author
12 years ago
I guess I'm too slow in posting responses. ;)

I also like the backsplash idea. We've been tossing that idea around as we'll. Deciding on a design has been tough.
ginale
12 years ago
Do not shy away from a dark dining table! Even before you make any changes to the cabinets or backsplash, a dark table would be a welcoming contrast. :)
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
-- Your kitchen is about the cleanest and the "oakest" I have ever seen! You will welcome a dark wood table no end! Change the door knobs to a contemporary style that is either brushed nickel [a soft, subtle look], or a dark metal, which will yield a busier look. These can be transferred to your new cabinet doors - whether refurbished or new.

Since you will be working on this space over a span of time, a good way to coordinate the working and entertaining ends of this space is to find a rug that has the darks of your table and the honey color of your current cabinets. This rug should be big enough to be at least 12" beyond the legs of the chairs when they are pushed in. Not the place to skimp!
PRO
Sandy G. ltd.
12 years ago
-- Here is a thought that might be "out there" but . . . . Since the drawer fronts look like they are plain/flat, it might be possible to flip the doors - putting the outside facing in, getting a flat, contempory style door. Oh sure, there would be lots of holes to fill but that is still less expensive than spending thousands of dollars on new cabinets. Then it is just a matter of a good staining or painting.
Darzy
12 years ago
Here are more examples of mixing styles. I would be sure to NOT get high back chairs. Low back chairs will help make the space feel larger, particularly with 8' ceilings.
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