trailrunner, my friend also said she likes it black (the table legs). If I could photoshop I could try it out in white before I paint it. I really want to get away from the black but it might be better. For the table it just had paint on the bare wood. sanded it with orbital sander (took 3 or 4 days) and then applied 4 thin coats of water based polyurethane (sanding in between coats) and waiting a day between each coat. No stain thanks for your encouragement! I see what you mean about the tile not being french country but it does have going for it .. it is neutral. I hadn't wanted to put a rug under the table because it is just such a PIA to clean the rug. Right now it is soo easy care but you aren't the first one to mention a rug so the space must need it LOL I like persian rugs in blue and yellow. there are a few I like Or a natural sisal or jute. But now that I think about it with the tile being natural.. a natural color rug on top of it won't be adding much! But then again, it could work. How about the table legs And the bench a butter yellow? Or the table legs and the bench white? If the table Legs And the bench were both in white .. Then I go do this large hutch piece for the other side of the fireplace in the painted yellow? I gotta have something painted the yellow LOL plus I am planning to get white painted counter stools for the breakfast bar this is so hard. I am not good with so many choices and decisions. thanks for your tips, Loretta

Tinker, could you share the manufacturer of your table? I'm really more concerned about what my eventual table looks like with a tablecloth off rather than on because we don't entertain much. I love intricate edging paired with more simply lined chairs. I guess I've always been more form before function (much to the consternation of DH, LOL). Because out entry is open to the living then dining rooms, I want to be careful with my selection of a table. Got stuck on this decision a few months ago and decided to shelve it and get started on painting the house. Now that the painting is completed I'm back to the dining room. Thanks everyone! It's been fun reading your input.

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind comments, and can't wait to hear about the table. That size would be perfect for my 'bowling alley' living room, which is 10 x 25 - front to back, and common in these old Capes. I've made an informal dining area in the back of the LR, since it needed to be broken up into more than one area. The kitchen is through the doorway to the left in the link below. Much of the furniture in my house is from CL, eBay, or like the desk above and the Irish pine corner cupboard you'll see in this pic, from a local consignment shop. I LOVE antiques and vintage, and you'll see I am NOT a minimalist, by any stretch of the imagination. (Lots of 'stuff', but to me, it's cozy.) Gail Here is a link that might be useful:

Here is QS in straw. They are stunning! Cant wait for it all to be put together. They also have a new white wash that is also just a touch lighter than straw, sample just came out. They are also doing a plain white oak in straw that just came out and it looks super close to the QS cut and is about 18% less in cost (at least at our distributer). I searched for photos of the straw before I purchased so wanted to pass along!