I'd be a lot more concerned with the size than the finish, I would not two tone, and the first thing I would do is a scaled drawing, olace your peninsula and living room furniture on it, include chairs for the dining table and 36 inches to back up. More than 36 if you plan stool at the peninsula. the wood and stain is the least of the issue.

You APPEAR to have not a lot more than 6/7 feet between peninsula.............and your rug, Take more photos, and yes, draw this out before any purchase

In such a small space matching wood tones would be better but I agree I do not think you have space for that table and IMO I would not do wood at all . Could you maybe post a floor plan to scale of the whole space including the LR

here's a photo of our dinning area and living space. I think the photos make it look smaller than it actually is.

for size of the table

• we were thinking 42 by 60 with a single 18 inch leaf.
• we have also thought of doing the non extended 42 x 72, but are afraid it will push into our living area too much or take up too much visual space. - 42 width is really nice for family style dinners and it fits, but maybe a narrower 36 will feel better visually?

what wood tone for the table would work for our space? we like wood for the feel and hopefully timelessness of the furniture. this is a piece we're hoping to purchase once and use for a lifetime.

thanks for the advice!

Can't read what you scribbled in orange. A 42 wide table inch table needs 105 inches in your space. That is five feet from the peninsula, ( allowing for chairs and possible stools at the peninsula..........and traffic past ) then the 42 inch table and another 36 for chairs to back up on the living room side.

Got 105 inches??