I agree with just starting with the table - the chairs will be more difficult to paint. Try a color on the table and see how that feels, then you will have a better idea whether you want to change the chairs too.
I personally don't think the table and chairs look bad as they are. However, I sense that what you are wanting is a little more contrast(?) The table, chairs and floor are all very close in color. If you are leaning towards a dark color, I think a somewhat glossy black or brown-black would look nice on the table. Then either leave the chairs as is or paint them off-white, dark red or black/brown-black to match the table. If you painted the chairs a neutral color or left them wood, you could buy chair cushions in a dark red if you wanted to add that color in. Cost Plus World Market always seems to have a lot of inexpensive chair cushions.
Have fun with your project. The table and chairs are a nice shape and look to be in good condition, so I think it's a great idea to try to use what you already have and save your money for other pieces.

A rug in a light neutral tone might help alleviate some of the wood overkill of the chairs and floor together. I like the table and chairs as-is, but maybe a rug could break up the visual monotony. Might be worth trying that before launching into the more involved business of painting.

Glossy white was my first thought as well. If you're worried about white overload, some patterned fabric cushions on the chairs would go a long way as well...

There's actually a tidbit in the last issue of real+life decorating (a BH&G spin off mag) that does a white paint face lift on a *very similar* table and chair set. It's delicious.

You've got some great bones to work with - best of luck.

I would paint them a red and then move that shelf with all the red on it against the far white wall where there would be more contrast.

Or I agree with Erin T. Just go with a black table for now, and get red cushions for the chairs...

I'd use fabric on the table first to see how you like the color. You might even find that introducing pattern in the form of a table cloth warms things up nicely for you. It is a lot less work than priming and painting, too ;-)

I say black. There's already a bunch of red right near the table & it would match the black in your side tables.

marm and Mama Chilanga both kind of read my mind. Try a table cloth on the table for a while to see about color, if any. And I agree that a rug might help.

I'd hesitate to paint wood that is in as good a shape as yours.

BUT... if you must, then I'd say white or black, because they're the easiest to find other things to match. White would definite bring more light, but it might be hard to keep clean, so that canvas color might really be a good idea.

Definitely black, starting with the table. You might decide to leave the chairs. I've heard every room needs some black to "ground" it, and so far, whenever I or someone I know does this, it seems to work - even in places you wouldn't think of doing so; for example, your lampshade on the red lamp.

Also, you could consider doing a faux antique process with red underneath and black over, then rubbing some of the black off so the red shoe a little. I think white would make the table too obtrusive.

As far as the walls... consider using fabric with starch to cover them. It will come off when you leave. Here's a link to a site with instructions: http://www.rentaldecorating.com/quick_fix_fabric_on_walls.htm

Good luck!

boy, i'd be inclined to leave the chairs and table alone--or upholster the chair seats in a brighter/lighter color for contrast.

the table is so nice, i wouldn't touch it.

At first I thought you should paint them the light blue of the cushion, but then I saw the second picture and you have many different shades of blue and gray already. So, red would not be bad if you used Sassy's suggestion of moving those boxes (if practical)

You can paint the table and chairs two different colors with the cushions or accessories tying them together: black table + red chairs or white table + red chairs.

You can pickle or whitewash the table and chairs so you can keep the wood grain or use one of the new colored stains from Minwax. (click my name)

http://www.bloomingdoor.com/homdecidpain.html

i agree with some of the above comments: i like the wood, but you need a light rug for contrast. and instead of painting the table, i'd go for the chairs in red or off-white, and move the red boxes to the living room low bookshelf.

it's been said already, but i'll reiterate it: a table cloth will work wonders, doesn't off gas fumes and maintains what appears to be a pretty nice table. reupholstering the chair seats would also be very effective.

why not just paint the table legs? the contrast between white table legs and a wood top can look very nice. that plus a tablecloth- and flowers (either fresh or a nice silk arrangement) would look great.

Don't paint. Get a rug. If that's not enough try a tablecloth, table runner, or placemats.

Please don't paint it.

Weird- the table seems to go beautifully with the floor....to me- looking at your dining space it's the lighter wood shelving unit in the background that doesn't seem to mesh.

I think the table is beautiful and I actually cringe at the idea of you painting it but if you must I think the idea of painting either the table OR the chairs is the best thing. A nice crisp or creamy white would be nice- but only if you plan on hanging some bold art or painting one or all of the walls. I think a white table in a white room looks a bit sad and amateur.

A nice super glossy chocolate could be nice too....

my say is black table and red chairs - or else just red cushions and leave the chairs as they are. Might be cool if you do the table black EXCEPT for the table top itself and do that in a very glossy deep red. in that case i'd paint the chairs black as well.

I'm feeling mixed about painting them, but I think if you do, then going for an off-white is going to be your best bet.

As a veteran painter of furniture, I would recommend that you spray instead of using brushes/rollers. I'm not saying buy some spray paint and go at it grafitti style, but get a paint sprayer that you can load paint into and spray it on. It's much easier, and gives you a much smoother, nicer finish. The only problem is you have to have a space to do it (garage, outside) and cover the whole area for 5 feet around what you're spraying, or it will get everywhere. Also - wear a really good mask.

You should be able to rent a paint sprayer, but if you're planning on painting a lot of furniture (which is a great way to buy on a budget) you might want to just buy one.

I second (or fifth or whatever) the comment about trying a table cloth. Check out Target or some ethnic bohemian type store for cheap options. Square table cloths also work on round tables pretty well.

Also agree with another poster about avoiding white. It looks like you could use some pattern in your place. Maybe a ikat or batik textile to complement the blue/grey/red scheme?

And/or an area rug in the dining area would help. And maybe some coordinating chair pads.

I have an *ugly* round kitchen table and I thought I wanted to replace it. But a tablecloth has done wonders and the *ugly* formica surface never sees the light of day. The chrome legs do show through - which I like.

The effort of painting (and the potential downside of a bad result) seems like too much of a pain...

The table and chairs are great as is. A patterned rug underneath would break up the wood on wood, maybe some seat cushions to match the rug. Slip covers for the chairs to change it up on special occasions is nice. The art on the wall needs to be a little bigger. Maybe a mirror there. The lamp is nice but too big for the space. Wall sconces would give off a nicer light and bring the eye up. A nice artsy bowl or some candles or a row of plants would look good on the shelf.

I loathe painted furniture because it always needs repainting. Now that it's spring I am about to re-attack stuff I did 3 years ago.

Consider stripping using Citristripper made by Flood which smells of oranges - put lots of thick paper or cardboard on the floor first. Start with the table. Once back to bare wood use a dark stain or go lighter with that New England whitewashed look.

Rugs under a table get filthy.

I think the table and chairs look nice, and I concur with all the others who have suggested a tablecloth and maybe some chair cushions (or chair slipcovers, for that matter). After Jennifer Grey of "Dirty Dancing" fame got her second nose job to undo the damage of the first botched one, she did a magazine interview where she made a comment about how a person should only get plastic surgery if the feature is so hated that he/she would prefer something *worse* rather than continuing with its current state. I think the same thing is true for your table and chairs--paint only if you hate them so much that you would be willing to survive with an end result that is worse than what you have right now (which is a nice dining set).

Thank you all for your feedback, we are digesting all of it. Many of you like them as they are. I can tell you they are no as handsome in person, and believe me I would not paint them if they were nice pieces of wood. But they aren't. Just very cheapy stuff we got at IKEA in "as is". The pine they use is super (super) knotty, and wide parts just putting together pieces of one inch, stain and acrylic finish. Just for the ones are suffering for we are painting them :-)
Thanks again

olar

Don't paint - paint that wall and get a rugh!

J

Olar, they really do look nice in the photo. They're well designed. If the wood is cheap and you don't love the way it looks, paint may be the way to go. But I caution you, if you have never painted furniture - it is painstaking. It's a LOT of work. If you're going to paint, I recommend Elizabeth's suggestion of renting or buying a power sprayer. If you don't have any outdoor space to take them to, you can build a spraying tent. Just make sure the area where you're spraying is well-ventilated. It will go much more quickly, and you will have a better result.

I would probably just buy a rug, and paint the wall in a coordinating color. Much less effort!