Help me style my dining table
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6 years ago
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housegal200
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoUser
6 years agoRelated Discussions
Need help finding the right style of dining room table and chairs
Comments (8)I went to a couple of local stores today, just randomly chosen because they looked like they would carry formal dining furniture (Walter E. Smithe, Thomasville, and Drexel Heritage). As I expected no one had oak (except for mission which stylistically will not go with my china cabinet). So I looked for woods that were the right reddish brown color, which turned out to be, for the most part, mahogany. What I saw in all of these stores seemed to be really nice quality but I did experience sticker shock. (More from the price of the chairs than the tables: is $300 and up per chair normal? ArghÂ) I realize I havenÂt shopped for much furniture; when our kids were small utility ruled, and most of my good pieces are family antiques that I refinished myself. Subtracting the styles that wouldnÂt go and ones with distressing (I donÂt like distressing, at least not on a formal dining table), that left really only 2 tables found in 4 stores, one by Henredon and one by Thomasville. All of the stores said they had few styles on display but could order anything from the manufacturer. However ordering was what I didnÂt want to do, since I want to see the wood and workmanship close up. If I have to order anyway I might as well do it online. I have read about people on these forums ordering online but I have been concerned about getting something that is not the quality I am imagining. Are there any brands or vendors in particular I should look for, so I will not be disappointed? Thanks for any advice you can offer....See MorePlease help me put *something* above my dining table
Comments (12)Ooh yay more responses!! :) There is a flush mount light, since the wiring is not centered over the table. Long story having to do with our not-stellar builder. To center something I would have to deal with about 3.5' of cord. Here's where my taste gets complex. And frustrating. And -- impossible. I love a lot of "Mexican" pieces - heavy pine furniture, rustic pottery, etc. but I do not love a true Mexican look - I don't care too much for the textile patterns, overall palette, etc. I actually used to have a flat weave rug that my MIL loomed hanging over the table, but it was too large for the space. One that's a more suitable size is on my perpetual shopping list. I've been looking for something I love for a very long time, and no luck yet. I would love to have something other than a print there, prints are just "safe" for me - easy. I'm competent at hanging a print. I have all sorts of hangy things but I'm not competent when it comes to piecing together things that don't obviously "go," and I'm not very skilled when it comes to arranging things in space (spatial is not one of my higher intelligences!) I just raided my storage room with a camera and got a VERY SMALL sampling of things to show my "taste." Do you see any of these things "going" together? Because I can't, and would need help here. A large lantern w/ glass inserts that I adore, but can't find the perfect place for: Wrought iron sun shape w/ mirror insert: Obligatory Pier 1 candleholder: A pair of candleholders: Two similar wall hangings that are sun outlines with amber inserts. And a grass-like metal thing (thought it would look good in my bathroom once upon a time) on top of them: Carved wood mirror: ...and lots more where those came from....See MoreCan you help me with my style? Does this table work?
Comments (7)Lyfia- That question is the problem question. I do not really have any furnishings that are staying. My living room is full of hand-me-downs so nothing in that room is staying. Unfortunately that makes for a blank slate. That is why I described my tastes as somewhere between a pottery barn and a west elm-- since nothing in the house is very reflective of my style....See MorePlease help me 'refinish' my dining room table
Comments (33)Update: After doing more research on spar varnish and finding the post I will refer to below, I went to my local paint store and had a long talk with the owner about my project. I decided to go with minwax semigloss clear polyurethane and I was advised to use a lambswool device to apply the poly. Then I came home and read your recent posts, Richard - and yes, product I was talking of (the spar varnish) is a quality product but after more reading I just didn't feel right about using it on this table. I also found this thread on "woodjocks" website and found the discussion leading me towards poly even more. http://lumberjocks.com/topics/2565 So, I have a applied one coat of poly with the wool device. I am not sure how I feel about this wool idea - it seems to leave lint behind? I am thinking of switching to a brush, or to disposable foam brushes for the next 3 coats. Any advice on how to proceed from here onto my last coats of poly (even just some encouragement) is appreciated. I'm not sure how I like the semigloss finish - its nice, but I hope it will be waterproof and repellant to dinner sauces, wine, etc. I am also feeling concerned about my work environment. I am working in a free standing garage and the temps are supposed to dip down into 40s this week at night. Will that be a problem in between dry coats of poly? Here is a link that might be useful: thread on spar varnish I found...See Morecyn427 (z. 7, N. VA)
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