Were you meaning to add this photo from your ideabook? If not, I'll can go back and delete this reply.

In my opinion too much around the walls near the table makes the area look too busy when it should be clean and simple to make the table and the above clock the feature, I would off set the table to the left and buy a nice tallish free standing vase OR preferably shabby chic a wooden plant stand and stand a plant on it, this would give a more balanced aesthetic to the whole look without it and the area to do that would not take up too much space so as not overdoing the area to make it have a more cluttered look, I like the idea of flipping the clock so that is then becomes a longer feature and would look more balanced, I think a handy hubby or friend could do it, for me a ladder is nice to put towels on in a bathroom but in an area like you have what is it's purpose? I don't find it particularly pleasing but please no one be offended this is just my opinion and as a (just) retired art restorer I am very interested in aesthetically pleasing spaces and interior decorating I realise everyone has their own opinions and they know what is right for them once they sort through the answers. If you lower the clock it too much it defeats the purpose of the clock being useful as they should be around eye level. Hope this helps.

Hmmm I do understand your indecision. So if it were me I would lean toward caution and choose a tabletop which blends with your existing colour scheme. It's always difficult to tell from a photo the hues in someone else's home. It does appear your kitchen tiles are a cream colour, and possibly your sofa is a warm white. Is that correct? If so, I would look for a marble with warm tones. If you like black as the main colour, is there one with beige or warm white or brown tones in it? Otherwise, you cannot go wrong with glass topped or timber.

Hi Kate , I love your tablemats so I might purchase them I also need to get outdoor cushions as seats are a little hard so would I get the plain fawn colour or go for a colour do not know thank you so much I was going for the natural colour which I like but yours are lovely