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!!!

I totally agree with you. GO NEUTRAL. Add colour thru access. I used Hog Bristle. Honestly, book a Colour Consultant thru Dulux or who ever, who will come out and give u the best advise. Dulux Consultant charge about $150, but this is refunded off the paint you purchase. So ur getting expert advise for nothing, if u purchase the paint. Money well spent. I did this and was so glad I did. She will explain where to use what paint, being 1/4, 1/2 or full strength of the chosen colour. I was going to upload photos for you of my rooms, but for some reason this page won't let me. If you would like me to send you photos thru email, I would gladly do so. ir u send ur email address. Good luck.

I'd suggest framing it out and using it as a window seat. A carpenter could get that done in half a day. Anchor the frame to the wall, get a custom cushion made and fill it with some cushions and you have a beautiful space to read. Bonus is the minimal cost.

It is a location for a statue, a sculpture (example in HOUZZ on tall sculpture). Something inviting, something that does not arrest/block your step and movement but moves you on to the lounge room, however, it should arrest your eyes, give you a quick message, a note, while you are moving forward. (I am personally also inclined to place a tall mirror there to keep tabs on my walk and figure and shape while moving through life. Then you would come to this corner and look -at yourself!) That would require the bricks to go or leave them till you have the time and guts to get them removed. Until then they can act as a plinth, a platform for the artwork. (I would personally never sit in this corner. Indoor plants may attract and be home to all kinds of critters.) spmm says further up: "it would be good to have something that LIFTS the eye". That is a great point! (Houzz) image from the link above.