apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Um, its wood, who cares if its doesn't match the other colors. Didn't AT just have a post about mix-matching woods - It rocked. paint a gorgeous, brand new table that looks as fabulous as the one in the pic - totally nuts. maybe a nice coat of Linseed Oil...

NO!
Let it develop its own patina and character over time.
You don't know what they've used to protect or seal the table, so it will probably be tough to get the effect you're looking for. And painting it would defeat the solid wood craftsmanship. IMO

Rather than adjust the table - have you considered adjusting your lighting?

The color that lightbulbs emit, the color of lampshades, walls and draperies - even the color of the house across the street or the color of the trees outside your windows - all these affect how colors of woods and other items in your room are perceived.

Wood is also not something that's meant to "match" - and many woods change color as it ages: Oak becomes more golden and Pine becomes more brown, Cherry darkens to a dark burgundy tone, Walnut and Mahogany fade...

So in my opinion, adjust the lighting and colors of the room around the table - or just live with it and enjoy the changes as they occur naturally.

If you don't mind spending the money, get it refinished/painted by a furniture professional (based on your one photo I'd vote for white). Unless you're really experienced with refinishing furniture, I wouldn't recommend DIY refinish on a brand new table. Look into a durable finish (not lacquer) to stand up to dining room use.

You say you just bought it. Maybe you just need time to adjust to the color difference. I think if after 6-8 months you still feel it doesn't fit then maybe stain it. But I'd give it some time to grow on you, it's a beautiful table!

Looks like an expensive table to me, painting or staining seems, well, to be honest, kind of nutty. I get the feeling from the photo that the table might be meant to be oiled. Ask C&B. If they say yes, then oil weekly to develop a cool patina. My 2 cents.

If you just bought it, return it or sell it and try again with something different. It will be much cheaper than a failed diy that requires completely replacing an unsellable dining set.

One tip that works for me: buy the smallest element first to see if the wood looks good in your home. In this case, buying one of the benches before buying the whole table would have given you a chance to see if there was a problem. One bench is quicker and easier to return than an entire set and if you live near a C&B store, it won't cost you a thing if you need to return it.

If you do decide to go with a diy, start with the smallest element first, finish it completely, and live with it for a while before moving on to the other pieces. If the whole thing goes haywire, you are only out the cost of one bench.

Kind of obvious advice and not really what you're looking for but why not return it and get something you like better? I think it is one thing to live with a cheap hand me down or thrift store find that isn't quite right, but to pay full retail price for and keep something you don't love seems kind of crazy. If I remember from my experience exchanging some wedding gifts, C&B has a pretty generous return policy.

I love this table and almost bought it before I found something less expensive at a flea market. I think mixing up wood tones looks really nice usually. but if it isn't working for you, move on.

need a photo...perhaps stain a shade or two different?

I'd hate to see you do anything to the wood... maybe a runner, adding color with flowers or vases?

Don't change the table! It looks great the way it is. If you absolutely have to change it, remember that the table has a wax finish. If you are going to paint or refinish it, you MUST remove the wax first.

You mean the table in the pic above? I'm not a wood person (I prefer glass/metal), but honestly, that table is very pretty... and substantial. I wouldn't touch it. Maybe change the accessories on it? Or put a different rug below? or change the wall color.... the wood looks gorgeous!

I think the problem you are having with the table are the chairs. They don't go with the simplicity of the wood table. Why on earth would you paint the table? Sounds like you need some very serious design help....hire a professional....

Varnish it. Make it like a Nakashima piece. The Beauty is in the wood.
Paint the chairs.

You can cover the chairs with white cover ups

The table is beautiful. The chairs are ghastly - in comparison to the table.

Flip over one of the benches and do a few tests to see what will work for you.

Is that a photo of your room, or a stock photo of the table? It looks like a stock photo to me (with how the wine is arranged on the bench) but I admit to not always being able to tell. :)