I can count the amount of furniture we bought for this house on one hand, believe it or not. Our skirted bed, a new dresser for Greta's room, new desks for our home office, dining chairs and our dining room table. I've been anxiously waiting for our dining table to arrive and it actually got delivered while I was out last week. It was the greatest welcome home surprise I could have asked for.
IMO, the chairs aren't doing the table justice.
My Favorite Dining Table
I know it's bold to say, but this is hands-down my favorite dining room table we've ever had and Chris is in agreement with that. And the price is so reasonable! The long wait was definitely worth the years we're going to be loving it. The most shocking and pleasant realization is how closely it matches the color of our floors. It's nearly a perfect match and I love seeing the wood-on-wood tones in our little nook. The rounded corners and fluted apron details feel so special to me–almost like it's a one-of-a-kind heirloom piece.
The grain is there which helps disguise dings, but there are no deep cracks that food can get stuck in! The table seats 8 which is nice–big enough for our family with room to spare. This is where we'll eat as a family everyday and also where we'll entertain so we're definitely thinking about this dining room differently (much differently than our last dining room space). Not only do we want it to feel casual and classy, we want it to be durable for everyday use. The outside will of course have overflow seating, as well as the bar-top and stools in the kitchen (eventually we'll have a kitchen right??).
Our Stand-In Chairs
We bought these chairs because we were really desperate for a place to sit around the table. Agreeing on our dream chairs was feeling overwhelming, and also we weren't willing to wait 4-6 months to be able to sit and eat haha. Instead, we went with a safe option and that's what they are–very safe. They're actually pretty substantial, so much so that Polly can barely pull out her chair. I guess that's great because you know they're not likely to tip over.
Eventually I'd really love a bench in this space, and I'm envisioning upholstered dining chairs. Truthfully, we're just not in that phase of life yet and that's the reality I'm having to face. We've still got young kids, and our friends have young kids. Maybe a chair with a little lower profile would be nice as well, but we'll probably have these chairs for a while. When we're ready, we'll sell these chairs and be happy for the time we had with them.
At one point I even considered buying all vintage chairs but I was having trouble finding a set of 6-8. This is when I thought that maybe it would be nice to mix and match some collected vintage chairs. I still love this idea someday but for now these chairs are perfectly comfortable and durable. The table is by far the star of this show anyways.
As for the captain chairs, Chris likes the chairs, but not necessarily as dining chairs. They might end up in the casual seating area in the kitchen at some point. And to be honest, looking at this photo--we should just move them now and go down to 6 chairs so we can see the pretty table more.
Shop our dining room
What About The Other Tables?
I've been imagining a new home for the round table we used in the breakfast nook in our Modern Cottage Home. For now it's all wrapped up (still) from the move and located in the garage. At some point I would love to put it in the upstairs landing where the Juliet Balcony is located. Lay out some puzzles and board games and I'm ready for a family game night. Maybe this will be where I start my vintage chair collection as well?
The dining table we've been using is actually the one from the office. It seats 6 and I think was only 60" long. We're just planning on selling it, but right now it's actually serving as additional workspace and surface area in the "kitchen."
The dining room still has a long way to go. I'm thinking of wallpaper in here and a show-stopping chandelier. But for now, we're celebrating having a table that feels like it has perfect proportions for the space. That's a victory.
Dining Room Sources:
Dining Table
Spindle Dining Chairs
Captain Dining ChairsTapestry
Wood Stand
Faux Stems
Pepper Mill
Candle
Arched Cabinet
Candleholders
Candle
Glasses
Dinnerware
Bookends
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I would love to see the chairs from the Idaho house round table with the new table... the caning might be too much pattern... but that seems like an interesting combo to me.
This is a lovely table but I’m still madly in love with your last one! I tried to order it myself but it was discontinued ☹️
Love your table! Also love it paired with black chairs and black cabinet. I was considering that table for our place too, but wasn't sure if three side chairs would fit. Can you tell me the space between the legs on yours? The website says it's only 50 inches, but it seems like that might be inaccurate based on your three side chairs. Can't wait to see the rest of your updates. Appreciate seeing things slowly coming together instead of having to wait for one big "reveal" post.
Same question! I had ordered this table but canceled it when I realized how close together the legs were.
I've only ever lived in an apartment. I currently have a little cafe table with 2 chairs. I can't wait to one day rent/own a town home or bigger apartment with a full dining table!
Oh my goodness this is so gorgeous! I actually ordered the same table a couple months ago when you gave a tiny sneak peak and it was love at first sight! So glad I did! It arrives late November but I’ve been struggling with dining chairs for it and knowing what style to go with! I loved reading your blog and thought process. I’d love any other ideas for chairs if you have any- to allow the table to be the star!?! Also I just have to thank you for all the inspiration you have given me over the past year as we remodel our house. I can’t thank you enough for how you share your ideas and boards & projects etc. You are so talented, genuine, humble & kind. Thank you for being here! ❤️❤️
I would love a follow up review of the table as I’ve been considering that table however the reviews haven’t been favorable.
Also, loving seeing all the progress of how your new space is coming along. Those floors 😍
That table is beautiful! Thank you for showing the very real evolution of a space and the tension between an ideal design vision and the stage of life (upholstered dining chairs with young kids). 🖤I’m so excited to see your dining room evolve, and oh my goodness, I LOVE the round table as a game/puzzle table in the Juliet balcony! So perfect! I cannot wait to see that space evolve too.
I heard about a family that wrote the year and Thanksgiving guests that were there on the underside of the table as a keepsake. Enjoy your new table!
Looks lovely, however I am surprised that you did not get a table that can extend to fit more. Looks like that will seat 8 at the most - even with you, your kids and immediate family in the area (sisters and their families) that table won't seat all at holidays. I have a table that size for every day use, but have three leaves that can be added at Thanksgiving or other times when we have a big group. You definitely have enough room for a larger table for special times wondering why you did not choose to have this type of flexibility?
Actually the dining room isn't large enough for a table bigger anyway. We'll have countertop seating and get creative if we host more.
Hmmm, my point was that - of course it is not ideal to have a larger table for day to day- but for the occasional time that there will be more people, I am sure you could manage to extend the table and have more chairs. I find this to be a much more inclusive way to include family during a holiday meal. I assume you feel the same because you could have had normal size table in your last house- and had extras around the kitchen table, but you chose to have that beautiful table for 20 instead set up at all times. So sad that it was only used once or twice - hope the new owners get a lot of use out of it!
Monica your comment is unkind. Just sayin.”
Like most of us who live in high cost of living areas and small houses (San Francisco Bay Area), you use pretty tablecloths to hide the cheap folding banquet tables. Most people are happy to be invited and don't care whether they are sitting at the same table during the actual meal.
You know, many people would hold off on showing this room until the rug was down, the wallpaper was up, the light fixture hung, etc. etc. But I think I can speak for so many of us that love the before, the after and all the in betweens so much better than the final result. So thank you Julia…you’re just awesome!
I couldn’t agree more…I love seeing a room come together over time. Your ideas sound wonderful!
I'm going with the style of your new house is Roman Cottage.
I totally agree with removing the captains chairs. They are much too heavy for the space. And a table in the family room is a must-have!
Would the round table fit in the middle of your entry or is it too big? Its going to look great anywhere you put it!
It's too big, but I think it will look so great at the top of the stairs, though!
It's so pretty! I would love a new dining table, but that's where our young kids color and paint. I appreciate your reminder today to be conscious of my life stage. I still like the table we have, and it's not precious--always a good thing since I have boys!
Loveeeee the idea of repurposing the round table as a “puzzle station” with the vintage chair collection.
Chairs from your round table would look great here. Then put these Windsor’s with round table.
Funny, I was going to say the same thing. I think the spindles on the Windsor chairs are too busy with the fluting around the edge of the dining table. It ends up being a lot of visual "noise" that doesn't showcase the table. The chairs from the round table are a more simple design.
I think I read that they sold the chairs that were at the round table.
The table is gorgeous!! I'm also a fan of a table in the family room. It creates a place for action (crafting, puzzles, homework). Can't wait to see it all come together.
Currently renovating a red brick home from '72 and wanting to give it a good modern twist to it's traditional feel - getting soooo much inspo from you Julia! You are truly master the traditional modern!! Love following along and getting inspired 🖤 Hope you and your family are settling in well & enjoying NC!
The table is absolutely beautiful! I love the idea of setting it for 6 to visually open it up a bit and bringing 2 additional head chairs when you need them. We do that at our eight person table and our kids always get excited when they see the head chairs moved back bc they know visitors are coming.
It’s all starting to come together with the pigeon sitting room, the bonus room, your bedroom, the new dining table and your kitchen due by Thanksgiving. Still a way to go, but I hope the Raleigh weather is compensating a bit for all the upheaval. Hoping you manage to recover some of the money lost/extorted during the removals and that 2021 ends on a high for you all.
Thank you so much! The weather is so amazing right now, it's definitely helping. 🥰