How to Decorate a Dining Room with a River Table

5 years ago

Hi All,

It's been a few years and we're finally coming around to tackling our dining room which has sat empty since we moved in.

We want to commission a river table but I'm a bit at a loss for what the room could look like with that as the center piece.

A couple of considerations:

1. This will definitely be a formal dining room. It opens out to a lovely garden - which we'll want to open the doors to for summer hosting.

2. It also opens up on the other side into our living room. So they need to work well together.

3. Room is a square: 13ft x 13ft

4. Table dimensions will be about 96"L x 42"W. The table isn't made yet but will be made out of black walnut and we want blue resin flowing through it.

5. Only thing hubby is against is brass fixtures. So we'll have to go with black or chrome.

Questions:

1. need help picking color scheme, rug and chairs - has to be kid proof - so enough patter and enough (faux) leather to keep things wipe-able clean.

2. I think I want the chairs backs to be lower so that it doesn't hide the table. So thinking maybe 30" or less?

3. What about chandelier?

Definitely overwhelmed and would love some thoughts and would love to know where I should look to find some of these pieces without breaking the bank.

Thanks,

Veronica.

Featured Answer

Oliviag

5 years ago

The table is beautiful, and will definitely be the star of the show.
Many midcentury style chairs have lower backs, and enough substance to stand up to the table, but not steal the show. Wegner wishbone, erik buck 49, etc. Any upholstery could be done in pleather til the kids grow up, but a good wool is more comfortable, and still cleans up. You can find the hand wegner reproductions for a reasonable price. Haunt craigslist and resale shops for mid mod seating, and reupholster.
The lighting, I think, should be linear, like your photo, but down lit, and in a metal color to relate to the base you select.
Some people would be tempted to do benches, but I dislike them for dining. No back, swinging legs over and bumping dinner partners...
At 13 x 13, you may feel more comfortable with only chairs on the two sides, not head and foot, as a normal setup. two upholstered chairs could be brought in for head and foot for bigger parties.
Adventurous choice on the very dramatic table. I love it.
As a side note, you'll probably want to delete the little whit corner cabinet, and may want to look at simpler drapery after you have the table.

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Comments (15)

apple_pie_order
5 years ago
Do you have any price quotes for the tables you like? IME, much depends on where you are and if there's a local table maker with access to huge tree trunks.
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I want to echo what Samondragon said that I was surprised to see you mention your house is otherwise Transitional. Your dining room has only traditional elements to it. There is not a hint of anything other than traditional. I would not fight that, I'd embrace it, which you already have with the furnishings and rug. Don't change the chandelier, it fits with the room. Because you cannot fit the painting that is over the silver properly inside the molding on that wall due to the light switch, I'd switch that painting for the smaller one that is to the left of the mirror, which will fit with the light switch on that wall. Put the larger painting in the wall space on the left of the mirror that was vacated by the smaller painting. As others have said, remove the tablecloth and doily. Put just one showpiece item on the dining table - perhaps a dramatic large glass bowl to add lightness (needs to be empty, no tchotchkes in the bowl). Also, not only polish the silver, but remove the greenery on that tray that is with the silver. That greenery is not good. The silver pieces are beautiful.
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highdesertowl
5 years ago
If you can afford that table, you should consider adding a little more $$ for service from an interior designer. The first chair I thought of was the Tig Dining Chair from Crate and Barrel. It would be low, dark, and structural--to complement the river table without distracting from it. I had never heard of a river table before--so thanks for sharing your idea :)
tuckerdc
5 years ago
New to me as well, but I live the photo sample!
User
5 years ago
Following. We’re working on constructing one ourselves from a large maple that had to be cut down on our property. We are going a similar route to your second photo here’s what we’re going for... unsure if we want to do glass or epoxy yet. The wood is still drying so we have lots of time to decide.

Once we get everything stained and sealed we’re going to go with a low back mid century chair to match. We’re thinking one of the ones with the oval type backs.
drdeb1234
5 years ago
Just because you have not yet ordered/commissioned the table, I’m going to question whether a table like that (very dramatic certainly) will be one that you will love 10 or 20 years from now. Whether it will feel dated down the road.
Just something to think about.
But if you’re quite certain about it, then....never mind :-)
highdesertowl
5 years ago
Does anyone have pictures of a River Table actually "set" for dinner? I do think they are beautiful, but how do you put chargers, plates and utensils down without it looking odd? Like Lauren's 2nd picture--looks like someone set a fruit bowl in the middle of an art installation.
User
5 years ago
I think I’m our case (while we’re not finished with it and have no photos) we don’t care about having a “set” table. Our dining room is mostly used for game nights so the look while using it isn’t the largest concern. We also have a mix of all white and hand thrown white/cream dishes so I think if we were concerned they will match. Also a thought - it is a standard sized table and if you were concerned about the look of a place setting out a table cloth or a runner to cover the blue on.
drdeb1234
5 years ago
Good point chocolatesnap.
Veronica
Original Author
5 years ago
Appreciate all the comments. I too have had similar questions. In general I do think the table will be used maybe 10% of the time and the rest of the time it’ll be a beautiful piece to enjoy. The dilemma is definitely about form and function. Love the suggestions for how to not compete with the table which will be the central focal point.
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Betty Wasserman Art & Interiors
5 years ago
We think doing a linear chandelier would be a great way to start. Maybe start looking into them and see what you like?
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Patricia Colwell Consulting
5 years ago
Those drapes need to go before even thinking of a 5K table which BTW that will be the price if it is done properly. I do not think it works with your decor style, are you planning on replacing all your stuff? I also think those table look best when quite large and honestly you don’t have a very big space have you looked into a square one instead of rectangular.
Veronica
Original Author
5 years ago
Definitely the room will be updated. We haven’t updated the curtains and will likely replace the corner cabinets. I’m curious how big a table with dimensions you think could fit in the room .13.5x13.5. Open to a more square shape but do like the long rectangular formal table.
User
5 years ago
I feel like we need to find you some of these...
blfenton
5 years ago
Technically for sizing a table for a room you need 3' of clear space on all sides. That space is needed for walking behind someone who is seated.' So in your 13.5' room you have 7.5' of table space or 90" of length comfortably available for the table. Width wise at 42" you're fine and even have room for a buffet/hunch if desire..

My dining room is 42" and I find that a little narrow but my kitchen table is 46" and I find that 4" does make a difference. Just food for thought.

How to Decorate a Dining Room with a River Table

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