A HUGE thank you to everyone who said to refinish the top! After many hours, a few swear words, and a cocktail or two, the table is finished! Here is a closeup of what the finish looked like before: It was crazed, dirty, and in a few places had some sort of goo actually melted into it. I was hoping that I could just clean it, brush on some lacquer thinner, and smooth it out. Not so. I had to completely strip the top, which removed all of the color, so I stained and finished it. It's not perfect, but it's so much better than it was! I think the wood actually looks better with the stain color IN it, rather than ON it. And with all of the leaves in: I've started working on the chairs, and I don't want to go into all of the ugly details, but I may end up with painted chairs, after all. We'll see how it all works out this weekend.

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.

Hand-me-downs ... remainders from Uncle's time in the house. Formica top on squarish table, with chrome legs that can be pulled out when one or other of the drop-leaves are lifted. Three wooden stained chairs with spindles holding up the arced top bars, seats slightly shaped, separate maroon pads for comfort. Kitchen is small - table against living room wall, with just doorway between table and counter, including stainless double sink/cupboards: with a bit of a stretch, while seated at he table, I can reach a spoon sitting on the edge of the counter by the sink. On the other side, the stove sits next to the living room wall, facing the table, with barely enough room to open the oven to put things in and out: I can reach things on the front burners of the stove. The fridge sits beside the stove, with door opening away from the stove and I can reach some things in the fridge while seated at the table, with a bit of a stretch. The door leading to the back stair is in a boxed-in corner by the wall at my back, with the wall leading out to it about 6 inches from the fridge, and the box holding it sticks out about a foot into the kitchen almost a foot beyond the front of the fridge: I can reach it from the table, as well. Two doors, two windows. It wouldn't be a good idea to try to have a boxing match in my kitchen! ole joyful

I think you can. Bring some bling into your kitchen..lighting fixture for example that's bold, and ties between modern and Hollywood..like gilded sputnik or something. It can be also a light with crystals..either modern or not. Crystal chandeliers do surprisingly well in modern spaces sometimes( as modern chandeliers also can look great in traditional rooms.) If you have space for it of course. Flush mounts can also be very glamorous..look into Jonathan Adler lighting for examples. Silver colored crockery jug that looks glam, or a pitcher, tea towels in rich jewel tones.. You can even put a mirror in a silver or golden frame in the kitchen)) You can even make sure it's ornate. It can be nice contrast with sleek modern cabinets Modern brown leather couches can get something like these trendy yet still nice sheepskin throws..instant luxury. Or faux fur throws. Put lacquered tray on the coffee table. More shine, bold colors, very soft textures will tie in the looks together. If you don't have a rug/ready to look for one-a rug can also become a great opportunity to bring styles together. What color is your melamine cabinetry in the kitchen? Just make sure you absolutely love every single piece in this set. Sets are much easier to become bored with. If you go for it anyway-try to bring different things in the bedroom too. Say, go for a round pendant that looks half glam half modern. Colorful rug. Odd little chair. Make things flow-but try to avoid them being exactly the same. All is personal of course, but I started my bedroom as almost strictly blue and brown.. it's a classic combo. Everything was matching, and looked nice. Within couple of months, I was ready to climb up the walls, out of boredom. I added golden ocher. Then white, taupe. Then purple and green..)) You can go for all monochromatic look if you love it, but then you'll need a lot of different textures to compensate, and to make the room come more alive. Modern art will look great in your bedroom. And you can put something very traditional in/next to your kitchen. Ah. And plants, of course. Plants are people's friends)) If you have enough light in your kitchen-put an orchid there))