I don’t know if this helps with answering my question about cold/sterile, but here’s a mood board with my cabinet and counter colors:

And here is the kitchen and nook layout. Nook is to the left of the island.

@User

I was wondering if it would be a little better because it's a lightweight concrete veneer, rather than true concrete. It's treated, so was hoping it might be a little better than garage flooring. But I see what you're saying.

Here is what it says about the manufactured concrete: This concrete finish is a natural material, comprised of various types of limes, cements, silicates, additives and other ingredients. It is strong, flexible, has good adhesion, and comes in different colors and appearances. It is popular for indoor and outdoor use, for finishing fl oors, walls, furnishings, swimming pools, etc. It is mineral-based, and has a surface like natural stone.

Kinda sounds like it might be similar to quartz?

Hoping someone has purchased something similar and can share their experiences.

I have a cheap table right now, it's like engineered wood. If I get a wood table, don't you still have to worry about scratches and red kool aid?

This will be an every day table. I have two teenage boys, and they are definitely still as messy as toddlers, ha ha.

Here’s another table I was considering, but worried about the wood not matching with the chairs and new wood floor. Here’s the link: https://www.williams-sonoma.com/m/products/pedestal-round-dining-table/

The description does say that aggressive acids can leave marks and that the top functions like marble. Are you okay with that? I love the look you’re after, but I’d probably try to find another table. I like the Bastille round table top on Essentials for Living... would go well with the chairs I think.

I was hoping because it was engineered concrete that it would be more durable. Ugh. I saw that it said acids could stain in. Isn't this true with wood tables too? I've never had a true wood dining table, but when I was shopping I saw so many wood tables say not to get them wet or not for every day use (restoration hardware says this), so I started looking around for alternatives. Are wood tables possibly high maintenance as well?

@megs1030 This table is from Essentials for Living. Just to clarify...do you mean a good match would be this same bastille base but with their wood top instead of the concrete?

I just called the manufacturer to ask them a couple questions and they said this concrete is similar to marble and very susceptible to stains. They have a wood top as well, and also said that since this wood is pine and only treated with a wax coating that it would be susceptible to stains as well.

Why is it so hard to find a table that's actually meant to be used?! Am I just looking in the wrong places??!!! Ugh.

All my tables have a glass top. Still going strong after 20+ years.

There’s got to be a compromise between grandma’s old oak table and stylish! It doesn’t have to be indestructible, but I definitely don’t want to live in fear of a drip of salad dressing creating an unsightly stain!

I have a concrete table…yes, it stains, it even has a few hairline cracks and I love it. To me, it is a patina. There are ways to refinish concrete, and, of course, you can paint it…but why? It is what it is. It is paired with this Currey and Company oyster shell chandelier, perfect for my Cape Cod location.

NICKERSON HOUSE AFTER · More Info

I'd love to see a few pics of your table! And how the stains look if you can snap them! :) Is yours actual concrete or a manufactured

light weight mix? @JudyG Designs

Just found this one. But so hard to shop online! This one seems to be used a lot in people’s breakfast nook.

@celedon I read reviews that mentioned these chairs being roomy and comfortable. I saw many people using them as counter stools, so I was thinking they’d be okay for the kitchen. Maybe a little higher maintenance and “fancy” though I guess?!

I also had such a hard time with table and chairs! I live in an apartment, so our dining area is the only eating area we have and I wanted it to look nice. I also had 2 toddlers at the time I was shopping. Ended up with a wood table and got a glass top made for it. For chairs, we got faux leather. Everything looks amazing and clean up is so easy. Still looks brand new after 5 years. I was also worried about woods not matching exactly, but I’ve since come to embrace differences and like the variation as long as they all look like they’re in the same family.

Yes! It's so hard! Hard to match, hard to find things that seem durable and usable!

I found another table that seems like it'll stand up to wear and tear. I don't like it as much as the concrete top, but do like that it seems durable.

I really like the brown/gray toned wood better, but thinking that these chairs might not match now!!!

Though I don't like it as much, I do see that that table also comes in an oak wood tone instead, which does seem to match the chairs a little better. But then, I worry it's not going to look as coordinated with the rest of my kitchen and tones in my house. I don't really like it as much, though it seems to be a better match?

I am redoing my kitchen to get rid of the warm honey colors there currently, so I think that's what veering me away from this warm toned oak.

Here's with the gray tone.

Here's with the oak tone. Though in these photos the chair legs look more grayish than the close ups above.

One of the reasons I worry so much about having the wood on the table and the wood on the chair legs is that we are also redoing our red oak floor (color to be determined), so I feel like it's going to be so hard to make sure everything goes well together!

I like the last pictures you posted. I believe those chairs are rather pricey though. I've seen them somewhere. Em Henderson? or, I can't remember the other one.

anyway, the white ones are fine. you don't want matchy matchy

Be careful with the Restoration Hardware 1930’s bleached out Paris apartment vibe. Or chairs that are cat scratching posts.

Warm tones and natural looking wood are making a big comeback. Overly manipulated non natural wood looking wood is on a big decline. That’s espresso and bleached both. Boho, organic modern, and grandmilenial are the hot up and coming styles. All involve much warmer tones, more patterns, and not a lick of gray anywhere. Think cool 60’s-80’s stuff stored in the attic, and then all brought out to furnish the grandson’s first little craftsman cottage that still has the original dark oak woodwork.

@User I see all the boho looks, and love them! And I see the black kitchens or the warm rustic oak and it looks so pretty. But for some reason I keep veering towards monotone taupes/grays. I may regret it at some point, haha!

A solid surface concrete lookalike table won't stain or etch, is the most sanitary available, is repairable, and easily refinishable. Lighter weight for easy mobility too.

Get whatever table looks best to you and have a glass top made for it. Use the glass top until your teenagers leave the house. Easy.

@101newkitchen101 I have 2 teen/tween boys and have been going through the same kind of search for a big dining table - once we finish a reno it will be the only table seating in our house. I like the picture you posted but I'd beware of the word veneer in the description of the tabletop. Hopefully there's a floor model so you can see how it holds up.

I don't know how you feel about zinc topped tables or that look, but we've had a knockoff in our breakfast area for the past 6 years that has held up to everything. It does scratch but the scratches aren't noticeable (unlike my current dining table, which bears very visible scars of Legos past.)

I'm either going to find an antique hardwood table or else I'm considering an RH version with zinc on top: https://rh.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod3070226&categoryId=cat3250058

I know it's really hard right now, but if you can it would be great to try out tables in person. Tables with trestles or large bases look like they'd be difficult to find enough room for your legs, at least if you're tall. Personally I find any table wit little leg room to be uncomfortable, but your mileage may vary. (Maybe you can try mocking it up by placing a box under your existing table, or a card table, to see what it would be like to use a table with a large base.)

I did think about having a large base...someone in a review was complaining.

I had an idea about possibly sealing the concrete like people seal concrete counters. Would that possibly work???

Love that table @smallhouse_gw!!!! I wish they had a slightly lighter base. If they did, I’d be sold!

@joseph Corlett

I called the manufacturer and they said because it’s not nano sealed it would be susceptible to stains.

101, they have sealers for concrete. you could use them. I have polished/finished concrete floors. the sealer worked pretty well.

you can also apply a layer of wax on the concrete.

just remember w/any stains, it's the time that counts. use placemats and wipe up spills immediately. it will be fine.

@Beth H

I did plan on waxing it religiously!

I would wipe stains right away, but guess I can’t account for what teenagers could possibly do!

You know when you have a cold drink and it condensates...that might leave a ring, but then would dry...right? It’s only oils or acids that would likely be the worst?!

I’ve got myself so paranoid, haha! I’ve been searching for hours since last night and haven’t found much. A few possibilities, but they also have maintenance warnings!!!

Two more options in case anyone is following and is good with this kind of stuff. I’d like to decide in the next day or two to try to capitalize on Black Friday sales!

Oh, @Beth H, the chairs are on sale for $750 for a set of two. So a little pricey I suppose. Is that an insanely high price for this style of chair?

Do you guys think my first pick (the concrete) with the loom chairs is way too “fancy” for our everyday table?

I hate not being able to see these pieces in person and try them out!

for a pair, that's a good price. I've seen similar ones for 1100 each.

I think Houzz has those exact chairs at 600 each?

as for the drinks, use coasters. and a placemat. seriously. When you use wax for the finish, any water that hits it is going to leave those 'waxy water rings'. that's just the nature of the wax finish.

so, use coasters, or use the glasses that prevent condensation.

the kids are old enough to learn to use coasters or to be careful. and if they're not, then maybe you need a diff material for your table! (although, I have one too so I get it) Just keep the placements handy

Thanks @Beth H! Appreciate the help! I know you have a good eye...which combo do you think is best from the ones I've posted above? I'm pretty much open to any of them at this point...I just want to make sure they're a good match!

It's true..no matter which table I choose we're going to have to be really careful compared to the cheap table we have in there now! Going to have to change lazy habits! :)

One more. I kinda like this table as well, though worry about the finish, maybe more than the concrete. It looks powder coated.

they're all very similar. Pick whichever one you think works best. I like the wood legs a tad better, but the first combo is nice too

@101newkitchen101 Where did you end up getting the chairs?