Help! What Stain Should We Use on Our Dining Table?

Q: Hi! We acquired these Jens Risom C275 dining chairs while thrifting in L.A. several years ago (oh how I miss thrifting there!). They looked amazing with our white circular dining table, but now need a larger table. Also, our space is tight so our round table just doesn’t work for us anymore. My husband made us this dining table, and we are stuck on what stain to use. We briefly considered painting it white, but we felt that would take away from the handmade quality of it.

Because of the nature of the yellow pine, when we added a very light stain, the stripes stood out way too much. We then tried a dark walnut (Minwax) and it hid the stripes really well – but we aren’t sure thats the color to go with. It doesn’t have the warm undertones that the chairs do.

Our floor is a honey colored oak. Our kitchen cabinets will be painted white, so working with that finish isn’t an issue. I am open to putting a rug under the table to break up the woods.

I have seen many dark tables with light or colorful chairs, but I haven’t seen how people mix up dark wooden chairs and a table (that isn’t matched perfectly).

We would love any help/opinions on what direction to go with the table! Also, we plan to spray paint the hairpin legs a pop color – so suggestions for that is welcome! Thanks in advance Apartment Therapy friends! — Sent by Sam

Editor: Thanks, Sam. And totally jealous of your thrifting find! Ok folks, leave your suggestions for Sam in the comments – thanks!

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