Do you think some seat cushions would take away from the country look (there is straw on the chairs). Or would that do me in further?

No offense against those who like country--it just isn't my style.

I think your new table and chairs are cute, but not a great match for your particular kitchen. I agree that they look "country" and not sleek like the rest of your kitchen. I don't like the round shape of the table much either. How many people do you need to seat on a daily basis? Could you get a square or very narrow rectangle and push one side against the wall, pulling it away from the wall and bringing out an extra chair when company comes? Have you considered refinishing your old table or putting some extra counter top material on it? I would like to see black or wood chairs that match your cabinets and if you like red, you could upholster them red. You could get a type of chair that you could easily recover later, if you ever change your accent colors.

To be honest, I love your glass mosaic back splash but I don't love the red accent appliances with it. Being so bright, they have become your focal point. Do you really want a dish drainer, paper towel holder and blender to be the focal point of your kitchen? I think they distract you from the gorgeous counter top, cabinets, back splash, light fixtures, and fan, all of which look terrific. I would downplay those appliances in stainless or black.

Thanks for your honest opinions. I agree that the red is kind of flashy, but I'll have to wait til DH breaks the kitchenaid blender to really start changing things, lol. When we had the white wall, the red looked fine. In fact, it was all stainless until DH broke the stainless blender. I was secretly happy because this allowed me to go out and buy my red blender. We already have the kitchenaid toaster and dishholder. The dish holder would probably be the cheapest to change (at 40 bucks), but I'm afraid I can't justify changing the rest right now :( It is all pretty much brand new and I'm guessing the collective value is near 300 (toaster at 69, blender at 125, dish thing at 40, towel holder at 20, teapot at 50). I think I am going to return the teapot; it has never been used and is lecrueset, not kitchenaid. That might tone it down a bit!

luckily, my dh doesn't interfere much with the buying and trading of furniture I do, but he wasn't convinced on needing a whole new table. He's not much of a protester, so after some convincing, he was fine. I am thinking of just throwing the old table back in the kitchen til I find something really small. I just can't find anything! I've been to every website and brick and mortar. I, too, am pining for something sturdy and sleek looking that we don't have to scoot around everything we open the oven!

should I cancel the guy from Craig's list and throw my loft table back in there. Is it really that bad? Again, honest opinions wanted.

I appreciate it!

Another question: would you go for convenience or looks? The new table gives us a lot more space, even though it is only 3 inches smaller on all sides. I'm so tired of all of the spacing dilemmas here. Oh, to answer the question, we have 2 kids and a third on the way!!! Yikes--I know. But with the horrible housing market and the tons of empty condos through Chicago, we don't think our chances of selling are so great. We are doing "OK" on space (esp. when I remind myself that 80% of the world lives in dwellings this size), but negotiating the kitchen hasn't been very fun with my pregnant stomach! The new table does fold down into a square, btw.

I really like the style of your house and new kitchen, and dont think the new table goes with it at all! You are right, it looks "country". I do actually like your old table MUCH better and would keep it! I love the color!

There are round tables with a less country post...I'll post a photo of ours. Also, less country chairs alone might do it. If you're this unsure, I'm a fan of keeping the old until you can spend for something you're happy with. As far as convenience vs looks...Convenience/room to move can be quite beautiful, while the lovely looks of something that's an aggravation can quickly fade. I'd stick with a table that will give you a little elbow/navigating room.

The pedestal is a problem, right.

Alright, as for cleaning the spilled fragrance off of my table, does anyone have any suggestions? I tried the magic eraser, and it helped a bit.

Forgot sanding and staining. I am hopeless at any DIY. The round table was sort of growing on me, I'll admit. At noon today, I hated it, but now I'm sort of neutral. Luckily, world market said they'll take it back, even though we've assembled. I'm so confused. It felt good to actually feel like we had a kitchen! But you guys are right. It is too country.

First of all, I LOVE your backsplash! Great choice.

Now, the table and chairs. Chairs are too country with the rush seats. I think the problem with the table is that it too closely matches your floor color. Everything sort of blends together. How about a darker stain on the table? How about a stainless table to match your appliances? Black table? Stainless with black chairs?

I don't think the round is an issue as it helps with the space. Rectangular would stick out more and if you can fold up or down the sides, so much the better. Best of luck. Perhaps World Market has one that is a darker stain?

of aluminum or stainless steel table. I've googled, but all I can find is this page:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/sf/good-questions/good-questions-stainless-steel-kitchen-table-036706

I need something small and durable. Any suggestions?

What about a glass table? There are many options out there, and glass is modern and really easy to clean!

BTW, I noticed you have the new Keurig machine- is it as nice as the other? I'm thinking of purchasing that one when our reno is over. Love those k-cups!

Here is a link that might be useful: example of small glass table

Love you new backsplash! It really compliments your cabinets and is beautiful. Congratulations!

I agree with Astridh, the red accents really take away from your granite and backsplash. I know they are expensive, but could you put some of them away (gives you more counter space) and possibly buy new paper towel holder and soap dispenser in stainless or black?

I also agree about the table, it doesn't look right with the wonderful modern fan and appliances. I do think a round table is the right way to go, possibly find one with a glass top so it doesn't look so big in the tight space. Meanwhile keep your old one until you find the right one for your beautiful new kitchen. It took me a awhile of searching for the right table, but now I'm happy I waited. Also FYI, Pier 1 also sells just the glass tops (ours was 48" - $98) that I was able to put on our beautiful new base.

Good Luck!

Your new backsplash is just right -- goes well with the bricks without being too bricky, if that makes sense, and really says loft!

Is refinishing (preferably in red) an option for the old table?

Return the new one. It's not right at all for your kitchen. Keep the old until you find something better. Until then you can paint it or restain it. How about painting it black.
When you buy a new one, I would still buy round specially since you need to sit *5* people. A dark stain would look very nice.

I agree with mlraff53 on the table/chairs.

As for the backsplash, it's lovely. Unfortunately, the counter clutter looks like a bad KitchenAid commercial. Don't replace - just put some of that stuff in the cabinets!

the site below has a stainless table that comes with different color legs. I would google stainless steel kitchen table. I came up with lots of hits. There is one in the William Sonoma catelogue as well (but it is expensive!). Try the restaurant supply places. They would have either a stainless restaurant table or a kitchen prep table that might be able to be used.

Here is a link that might be useful: stainless stee table with colorful legs