Canadel is a good line of furniture. My kitchen chairs are from that line and still look good after 17 years. That said, my furniture probably gets less use than if it was an entire family here.

Have you thought about putting a new countertop on your island and extending it to accommodate two counter height stools? That might look better than a table pushed up against the island.

I have a Canadel dining set ( I think birch top in a cherry finish?) and white trim. We used it in our kitchen and we are not very delicate or gentle. The set is a beauty, but honestly the finish was not so great. I think I even had someone early on come out because it was not wearing very well. The set is about 25 years old and I am toying with having it refinished but not really sure.

Anyway I love the look of it and it is very solid, but the finish not so much.

I agree with deadtired, extending the countertop for seating might be the better option.

I don’t think a round table pushed right up to the bar will look attractive, or might there be a smaller square of rectangular table that would work better?

Maire, I was thinking the same thing! We have one in the LR intended for board games but we've used it for many other things.

Drop leafe tables for small spaces

dedtired - Your suggestion of extending the island counter top has indeed come up. We are seriously considering replacing the counter tops, so that might be an option. One of the drawbacks is having our backs to the family room where the TV is and facing into the kitchen. However, I did just google t-shaped kitchen island and did find a number of images. Maybe something like this, only not as long. This way we'd still sit across from each other.

I like the curved apron, if that's what it's called on an island, on this seating area.

salonva - Your feedback on the finish is very helpful.

maddielee - We have also been considering a 42" square table. I really have been driving myself (and DH) a little crazy with trying to make this decision!

maire - We have considered a drop leaf. You are right. It might look better up against the island than round. I have a picture on my phone of a table we looked at a few weeks ago. I'll look for it and post it. Also, thanks for the info on another company we should look into.

The first picture I tried to include did not show up. Trying again.

t-shaped island idea. Ours would be a lot shorter.

oakley - thanks for the link. Seems like I'll find lots of good info there.

I don't have a Canadel table, but I do have Canadel chairs. I didn't like the grain on one of the chairs, so it was replaced with no question. We have had the chairs for 12 years and use them every day. The wood finish has held up perfectly.

This is the drop leaf table and chairs we looked at about 2 weeks ago that I probably should reconsider. It's also from a company that offers customizing.

The extended island would be nice if you ever feel the need for more work space (think Xmas cookies) or for a party you can move the chairs out of the way and have buffet space. Of course you can do each of those with a table - the extended island offers same level work space and a more seamless look. That said, make sure you like sitting on chairs for island height dining. I considered it but ultimately decided since DH and I usually eat in our kitchen that normal table height would be better.

We considered them briefly, as we really liked some of the designs. A search here on Houzz turned us off, though. Plus DH, as a woodworker, was not happy with their use of softer woods that are easily "distressed" by day-to-day use. You might want to do your own search and read some of the feedback.

dlm(deb) - I've gone back and forth so many times about table height and island height and honestly, for everyday use, table height is the way we should go.

michelle - Thanks for the insight from a woodworker's perspective. I did search Canadel here on the decorating board, but I probably should do a Google search for Canadel reviews.

Yikes, I just Googled Canadel reviews and found this. I am seriously considering finding something much less expensive and calling it a day. It's just DH and me and we don't need this table to last 27 years.

Try searching Houzz beyond just the decorating board (for example, there's discussion in the Furniture board) When you type in Canadel on the search board above, then click to search "in Advice". There are 200+ threads. Here's one of them

Do you recommend Canadel furniture?

We have had an octagonal Canadel kitchen table, it's alder wood, I think, for almost 20 years. It has weathered the years beautifully (two boys, 3 meals a day), and I would not hesitate to buy from that company again. We also have a Saloom dining room set in our Florida condo, same type of company, also from Canada, and that is holding up nicely, as well.

Dinec is another good manufacturer of kitchen tables.

Bac717...what brand are you looking at there that can be customized similarly to Canadel.

In my experience with Canadel..the build and weight is excellent but the top scratches very easily.

I just had a dining set custom built by an Amish co and it was very disappointing. I’m thinking about sending it to my husbands office and starting a new search.

i love Canadel. I just wish the top didn’t scratch so easily.

I think a round table could work in your space if you have enough room to have it away from the counter/island. It looks like you have room to have it free standing and since your light is swagged anyway, I would just move it over to center it over the table.

Even after reading many reviews on Canadel, I'm still not sure what to do. Perhaps it depends on the color/finish on the table. Some options offered are stains, while others look more like a painted finish.

The other brand we looked at is Gascho, Amish, made in America.

Altho it appears we have lots of space for a table, we have only about 7 feet between the island and where the carpeting starts in the family room. We need to have the table close to the island in order to have "good traffic flow".

You might research the finish on Canadel (catalyzed lacquer - but is is pre-cat or post-cat?) vs. others. A little reading of catalyzed lacquer vs. conversion varnish will add to the analysis paralysis ;-)

Since this table will be in the kitchen and potentially subjected to humidity swings, water, etc., conversion varnish might be a better way to go.

Michelle - I did read something about pre-cat and post-cat lacquer, but now cannot remember which is better, but that's also good info you passed along about catalyzed lacquer vs. conversion varnish.

And my husband doesn't understand why it takes me so long to make a decision.