Hi Sam, I know where you're coming from, I too wanted to buy such a beautiful ornate table for my new home still under construction but it just wasn't going to look like it matched the modern home I wanted to put it in. I also wanted to feel like it could be used as most kitchen tables in a home are used, especially for me living on a farm, for eating or repairing something on some newspaper etc...impossible to do on such a beautiful table, you would ruin it to see it scratched !!! Not to put a damper on your tastes but your home will look so much better and have more style if you continue to try to match what you already have and that's at least a stunning kitchen that you've shown us all on this forum. If you think of the style and colour of your kitchen everytime you want to buy something or decorate, it will hep ground you to keep it similar. I understand there are people who say it's nice to have countless pieces of furniture that are all different in some way, as it can look like you acquired them along your journey in life but I think that this mixture of designs and colours doesn't gel in a modrrn house very well at all, perhaps a quaint old cottage but not a modern home with a lovely kitchen like you already have!!!

If it has no varnish, light sand then oil. If varnished very good sand using a electric sander, medium first sand then finer the second sand, wipe down to get all dust off then oil. If you use a combo of linseed and turpentine make sure you use gum turpentine. Use more turpentine to start off as will penetrate the wood better. Good luck

Hi Kez, I agree with you, finding the right table, chairs and accessories for a space is very important as it can be a costly and time consuming exercise. You mentioned in one of your earlier responses that you feel like you need to have someone come out and help organise the furniture in your home for you. We have the privilege of seeing a lot of homes of different shapes, sizes and styles and have been able to help clients restyle their homes, as well as reshuffle, restyle and reorganise their furniture to better help with the flow of the house. We also work with a large number of suppliers and can help you by taking the stress out of sourcing a suitable dining table and chairs for your dining area. I'm positive we will be able to find something very nice that will suit that space. If this is something that is of interest to you, please feel free to send us an email: info@letsrevamp.com.au or give me a call on (02) 4312 5634, I would love to see if I can help you further. Regards, Nicolene

Unfortunately there is no simple answer for the best dining table for your home as so much depends on your household, lifestyle, and dimensions of the available space. You need to think about who uses it, and how you entertain. If you have messy toddlers get something that is easy to keep clean, and is fairly robust. If you like to host large number of people for dinner maybe a table that can be extended. What is the size of your household? Do you usually eat at the breakfast bar? For materials and colours I would be looking at what you already have in your kitchen and family room as a starting point. Don't introduce new colours or new materials to the dining area that aren't already in the kitchen or family room. Your bar stools look good and work well with your kitchen. If you are happy with your bar stools I would use them as a starting point to see if you can source complementary dining chairs. Once you have sourced your dining chairs find a table that works with the chairs. Make sure that the dining chairs that you select are the right height for the table, and if you get dining chairs with arms (called carver chairs) that the arms fit under the table. The tops of tables are a fairly consistant height, but the clearance under the table depends on the materials, structure and the position of the table legs. The number of chairs that you can fit around a table will depend on the position of the table legs and the width of the dining chairs. Measure your available space carefully before looking at tables to ensure that you have adequate circulation space around the dining setting to access the external door. Make sure that there is enough room to get past a chair when somebody is sitting at it. Without knowing your household, or lifestyle, or the dimensions of the room I think a six person or possibly an eight person circular table would work well in the space, but this may not meet your needs (or fit). Best of luck with finding the best dining table, Dr Retro