Light oak would't be my first choice. It does tend to look a bit country, but if you like it and think it'll work with what you have, you should do what you want. Since you're recovering the chairs, it might be just as cost effective to purchase new chairs in a wood tone that you prefer.

I think the table size depends on your space. When I was single, I had a small table (30 x 50-It's now DH's desk.) in a small apartment. Most of the time it was pushed up against the wall with chairs at the ends and two chairs along the long side. It could be pulled away from the wall to accomodate six, but it was a tight fit!

My current kitchen table is 34 x 55 but has leaves to make it longer. It's narrower than my last table (43.5 x 55 - a drop leaf that is now in the living room.) but suits us fine. I can fit dinner plates on the table without removing my large bowl centerpiece. I don't think I could fit everything if it was 32 inches. Maybe you could map out the dimensions of the new table onto the old table with painters tape to see if it works for the way you usually set the table.

Our kitchen table is 33" wide and it's fine for us. DH and I sit across from each other at dinner time, the kids are at the end, and everyone has enough space. It's not elaborately spacious, but it's fine. Our placemats do touch each other (across the 33" width) but they don't overlap!

I would, however, wonder if the 44" length is too short for 4 people. Our table is 60" long.

I don't know if you considered this or not, but granite is a very heavy stone and even a table that small is going to be difficult to move around.

sueb20 thanks so much for sharing. I'm not concerned about the length of the table since we are usally 2. For company we will use the dinning room, when my daughters are home together it will be fine. I also want to be able to use this table for canasta, so longer won't work. Porkandham I agree with you that light oak looks country, my old kitchen was country (old house and this house before I updated). I can't afford to purchase new chairs of similar quality and comfort, since we are in the kitchen so much I feel I should keep the chairs. I have been pricing bases in oak to match the chairs, and my fabricator will do the top.

The new size will be perfect for 2, but not 4. Since you have a DR table, then I wouldn't hesitate to have the table built.

We have a drop-leaf in the LR also, and with the leaves down, the table is 26 x 42, more than enough space for two, to eat comfortably.

As far as the wood goes, I'd get a wood that you want to end up with, not a color just to to go with the chairs. Because the table will last a lifetime, the chairs may not. Plus, having two different tones of wood for a DR set can look nice!

This is only my opinion but I don't like rectangular tables with rounded corners. Somehow they don't look right to me. What type of base are you using? Would it be possible to do a round top?

IMO the table base doesn't have to match the chairs and you could even use a painted base. What color are your cabinets?

Just some random thoughts.

Have you ever had a meal at a stone table or played canasta at one? I'm not familiar with the game but assume it involves holding cards or moving tiles and your forearms are in contact with the table. Stone is COLD - I have a kitchen desk in the same stone as my counters and hate using it for that reason. You may call me out on my manners, but I do rest my arms on the table when eating at home and a stone table would be very uncomfortable!

I agree that granite is not a comfortable surface, and you really won't be able to easily move the table for any reason. Granite is a cleanable surface and very beautiful, though, so I can see why you'd want to use it.

I'm with the camp that says that the base does not have to exactly match the chairs, especially if you don't really like the way they look.

As always you really have been helpful. I've decided to wait a little bit longer, and make sure what I get is something I will be happy with. Thanks for pointing out how heavy, and cold the table will be, these are thing I didn't think of.