Regarding the wood table, I had a piece of glass cut for the tabletop.

@sofikbr you can put a “traditional” table with white shaker cabinets because they are “timeless” not “modern”.

I’ve only ever had a wood table with kids (now teens). We use placemats for spills and yes it definitely has some dings - cue a niece that literally poked holes with a pencil, but that’s just a part of living in my book.

Not too much white. If you want color, you can always bring it in with the chairs or upholstery or art.

Thanks everyone so much for your advice! We are moving along in our renovations. The only area that needs to be painted is the dining area of the kitchen. I’m debating between grey owl (which is in the adjoining room and can pick up they grey in the countertops) or the same white as the cabinets. Any thoughts on if the grey would go with light wood if I choose wood chairs or a wood table? All accents are gold/brass and stainless steel. The light over the table will most likely be a grass Sputnik. Here are some pictures. They are painting tomorrow so I need to decide soon. TIA!!

H202- I know that it was a long time ago that you had that table. But do you remember where you got your knock off tulip table? The one I was looking at is no longer available but I think I would like to buy a knock off. I want to make sure it’s good quality.

Anyone else think the white tulip table was a bit trendy? I think you'd be able to find a modern table that will hold up to kids and look great with your new remodel. maybe a glass table of some sort.

I'm open to all ideas if you have any pictures of a modern table. Thanks!!

Here are 2 suggestions of kid friendly chairs that can work in your white kitchen.

I love the ones on the left. Thanks!

You have invested in your cabinets and Shaker is characterized by clean lines, tapered legs, and minimalist designs.

Staceynyc: West Elm has the real leather ones at about $800 each but Best Buy Canada has the faux leather ones below at $199 CAD but I'm sure Best Buy USA has them as well at a lesser cost in USD.

Not quite a tulip table, for $800: https://www.westelm.com/products/liv-round-lacquer-dining-table-h7875/?pkey=cdining-tables

I wouldn't worry about a tulip table being trendy. It's trendy in the sense that MCM is having a moment right now. But it's a classic design. And you are pairing it with a sputnik light fixture, for good style consistency.

Personally I just love tulip tables for the efficient pedestal design. Much easier to wedge in an extra seat with a pedestal base than it is with tables legs at the corners or table edges.

We have a wood table in our nook and it has held up well. I do use wooden placemats. The wood warms up my kitchen a bit.

No tippy tulip table or pedestal tables for me, especially if I had littles.

47 years ago we bought a small Tell City hard rock maple table and chairs. The saleslady said we would be serving our 50th anniversary cake on this table and it looks like she’s going to be correct. It’s in great shape for 47 years old and solid as a rock even though we raised 2 boys at this table. Just a few little dings on the edges caused when we moved.

We use placemats but almost never use a tablecloth.

rureadyinia- do you have pictures of your table in your kitchen?

Hi - I don't remember exactly where i got it, but it was just one of the hundreds of interchangeable furniture websites that mostly bring in low cost stuff from China. And in fact it was obvious they were all ordering it from the same chinese manufacturer, because literally every site said at the time it was backordered until the exact same day a couple months in the future. So they were clearly all just using a Just-In-Time ordering system, and the table was actually shipped directly from China. So long story short was that at the time, every knock off tulip table being sold by lesser known furniture sellers was the exact same table.

I got this one from overstock, love it.

How is it holding up?

A tulip table would look great with your Sputnik light fixture.

Here’s an interesting article about the Saarinen tulip table:

https://www.chairish.com/blog/tulip-table-and-chair-eero-saarinen/

Thanks everyone now im on the hunt for an oval tulip table that is good quality and won’t break the bank!

A little messy as my son was completing his homework just now.

Thanks for sharing. wood looks nice too!

Everyone has been so helpful! I’ve narrowed the table down to a plain white tulip and a faux marble tulip. I read lots of reviews that faux marble looks very real. My kitchen is mostly white with gold pulls. My counters have grey veining and the eating area has grey owl walls. Do you think the marble will compete with my counters since it’s not the same veining or will it complement? Not sure if I should go marble or white. Thanks everyone!!

I would do solid white. I don’t like the combination of the other table with your countertop, but that’s me, and you should get what you like! The solid white is classic, and your lovely wood floors and brass accents warm up the space. You can always do colorful chairs if you think the solid white is too plain. Wood or black chairs would be nice too.

That is very helpful. Thanks!

Here's a link to lovely knock off tulip tables.

https://www.google.com/search?q=knock+off+tulip+table&client=safari&channel=mac_bm&sxsrf=APq-WBvhy_lTqeUktC2LqUyDH8iZbdQWcw%3A1644944938463&source=hp&ei=Kt4LYoXDF-igptQP_PmNYA&iflsig=AHkkrS4AAAAAYgvsOqZhJsJ5Xhhn1yDhdliNzE5hmg8_&oq=Knock+off+tulip&gs_lcp=Cgdnd3Mtd2l6EAEYADIFCAAQgAQyBggAEBYQHjoECCMQJzoICC4QgAQQsQM6DgguEIAEELEDEMcBEKMCOgsILhCABBCxAxCDAToICC4QsQMQgwE6CAgAEIAEELEDOgsILhCABBCxAxDUAjoICAAQsQMQgwE6DgguEIAEEMcBEKMCENQCOg4ILhCABBCxAxDHARDRAzoLCAAQgAQQsQMQgwE6DgguELEDEMcBEKMCENQCOggILhCABBDUAjoFCC4QgAQ6CggAEIAEELEDEAo6DQguEIAEELEDENQCEAo6CwguEIAEEMcBEK8BUABYqSlg4TpoAHAAeACAAYUBiAHeCZIBBDEzLjKYAQCgAQE&sclient=gws-wiz

Thank you!

So, I found 2 solid white oval tulip tables that are ready to be picked up today. I have to decide between the 2 quickly. They are both 79” long but one is 40” wide with some flaws from wear and tear. The other is 47” wide and in pristine condition. My current rectangle table is 79x40 so I know that size fits. I’m hesitant to go for the larger table but it is brand new. I’m hearing that the size feels smaller than rectangular because it’s oval. Would I be making a mistake with the larger one?

Here’s a photo of our space for reference.

What is the total space from the right wall to the island? I think the big question is what kind of clearance you will have on each side of the 49" table. Going by your picture, it might be tight on the wall side. 24" is the bare minimum, 30" is ok, 36" comfy. (Numbers from personal experience, not actual design rules.)

Thanks so much. So the space from the wall to the island is 9'4". So 112" minus the 47" of table at the widest (it's an oval so not as wide all the way around) is 65" left to play with. So if I put the table at 24" from wall that gives me 41" to the island. Is that too tight? I'm not so good at this and so stressed for time...

I forgot to account for the island seating. 41" is pretty tight for chairs that back into each other. Some online guidelines say 42" between two tables (counting the island as a table), but that leaves only 6" between people seated back to back. You need closer to 60" if you want anyone to be able to walk through the space when people are seated at the island and the table.

TLDR: You should probably stay with a 40" wide table.

Thanks. Just wondering since the table is an oval, I'm wondering if I can angle the four chairs a little bit towards the sides of the oval where the table isn't as wide to allow for more room? Does that look ok?

Maybe? I've got a 45" round table in a small kitchen eating space. We've played with every kind of angle arrangement to make it more comfortable. Nothing works well, and people always end up slowly, unconsciously shoving everything back into the "normal" seating arrangement. It's not a fun game we're playing, and I would hate to set you up for something similar.

I've got a 45" round table, and I could easily fit 6 chairs around it if it had a pedestal base, not legs. I think a 79" x 40" oval would easily sit 6 people, and allow you to crowd in extra seats when needed.

Thanks. Great advice. If only I could shave a few inches off the larger table or grow my eating space!

Do you think a 60" x 36" is too small for space?

For 6? That seems fine. But I've got two very petite daughters, it's possible a family with teenage boys could want a lot more elbow room.

Hi, We are only 4. Just don't want the table to be too small for the space. I'm more concerned about aesthetics.

I think too large for the space is a bigger aesthetic problem. Always uncomfortable, visually and physically. For regular meals for 4, you have ample seating. The oval might make it a little harder to fit all the serving dishes on the table, but you've got the peninsula right at hand to solve that problem.

Hello, off topic but looking at your photos - how does your microwave vent? Looks great!

I never actually thought about how the microwave vents. It was in that position since we bought the house seven years ago and never had a problem. But I don’t know where it vents from.

I picked up a pre-owned tulip table yesterday and am having buyers remorse. Ignore the chairs and placements as they would be replaced. But I don’t love the oval shape and that it’s so much white. Should I have gone with a warm wood? I can try to resell it.

Here’s a picture.

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I really like it! I would pair it with a bent-plywood dining chair to get warm wood tones, or with something like a Ghost chair if you wanted a really modern sleek look. But ultimately, color balance is very personal. There are great wood dining tables that would pair well with the clean modern look you're creating.

Your pic is narrowly focused on the new table and old chairs which are indeed incongruous, but in the overall space of your new white kitchen and mid-mod lighting, the tulip table looks great. Once you get better chairs for that style of table, you'll be reassured that you've made the right choices.

It’s a matter of personal preference really. The warm look of the wood, versus the more modern white finish. I think the table could work just fine and balances out with the rest of your kitchen nicely. It just depends on what you want in the space.