Q. We are in the process of renovating our kitchen, which included knocking down a wall between our kitchen and dining room and adding an island. Our island has a beautiful walnut top, but we're now struggling with what kind of dining table to purchase given it will be so close to the island. We want wood, but what kind of wood would work with the walnut island top without looking too coordinated? We love the look of the walnut dining tables at Lekker Home (Ethnicraft), but are worried it will look too coordinated. Also like their oak and teak but not sure about placing these types of woods near the walnut top. Have thought about a rustic barnwood table of some sort, but that may look too rustic next to our shiny new kitchen...
A. We don't think a coordinated walnut table would look bad at all. The first thing you need to do is get a large, bright area rug for the dining room to bring the light level up to the range of the kitchen — probably something in the creamy neutral family with a pattern. Then, once you have a nice, bright base for the room, I think any wood table that you really love would fit just fine.
We're not a stickler for matching or not-matching wood colors, our house is full of a variety and it all works out fine in the end. We'd encourage you to buy the table you love!
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Comments (15)
What about a Saarinen tulip table?
I agree. Matchy or not, it's not THAT close, I don't think, that's its going to cause any issues. I'd be more worried about the center counter and the side counters not matching -- perhaps it's just a pet peeve. Good luck!
Laura
http://www.grafxnerd.net
I don't mind the rustic table near that kitchen at all. Especially if you pair it with some sleeker chairs. The overall effect would be interesting. You can always repeat the dark walnut in the adjoining room in some accessories--frames on artwork (if possible, looks like a lot of windows) or chunky candlesticks or even the host/hostess chairs. You don't need to match exactly though, if you choose to, I think you're far enough away that it doesn't look to matchy. Just choose a different material for the chairs.
I have no advice on the wood question except to say that if you went around always trying to match woods you'd go crazy. However have you thought of making your dining set the opposite of your kitchen - that is, a white table with wooden chairs?
What I would suggest is that you get a round or oval table, which will be a visual contrast with your square island, regardless of the material. It will also echo the beautiful shape of your stunning bay window.
I don't think you need to limit yourself with something classic and neutral like that. Our house is full of medium toned wood including walnut, teak, bamboo, cherry etc. and I think it works really well.
That said, I think something like a rustic farm table would look great with that kitchen.
I agree about the rug. It's hard to think of a wooden table on top of the hardwood floor. A creamy rug would link with the colors in your kitchen and give you a separation from your wood floor.
I like idontdobeige's suggestion of a white table with wooden chairs underneath, but really, it is such a nice, clean, simple kitchen that almost anything will go well with it, whether it be more walnut, a different wood, or some kind of solid.
A white dining table would speak to the cabinets nicely. Otherwise, honestly any wood is great. A beat up farm table goes great with everything!
I also like the suggestion of the white table with the wooden chairs.
Wood doesn't clash... ever. I have at least 4 different wood tones in my living room. Have you never seen different woods in one room?
Now on a different note, you can have too much wood (like wood panel walls and wood floors at the same time). Too much of anything is bad, but I think you're OK in this instance.
So, if you don't want it to match, then just pick another wood tone and you're golden.
very nice walnut island top by the way. beautiful.
Agree w/ Megnez: Wood doesn't clash.
Whatever you choose - don't do rectangular since there are already so many squares and rectangles in the kitchen - A round pedestal table would suit that space far better.
I disagree w/ Wes & Kayla - I believe that rugs in dining rooms, particularly light colored rugs, are a bad idea. To brighten up the room, I'd choose new floor-to-ceiling draperies that have an element of white in them.
I think the idea of a rustic table would be great. Pair them with some light colored painted chairs in a (slightly) more formal shape, and you are going to LOVE the look. Rug, definitely. That space is large enough to require the definition a rug will give you--maybe something that mirrors the dark color in your kitchen floor. Best of luck, and please send after photos!
Actually, chairs that pull in the color of your countertops would be a nice choice, whether it be in the painted finish or in fabric seats or back cushions.
I also agree, rustic table would look great, especially out of reclaimed wood. Vermont Farm Table builds custom dining tables out of reclaimed solid wood-- something to look into if you end up going with that style.