Table dilemma

[langlandgirl]

Have renovated our ground floor & have lovely new wood flooring but I feel it's clashing with oak table & chairs. No money left for new furniture. Thinking of trying to find new oil cloth but want something edgy rather than my current spotty one (if you can use the word edgy when referring to oilcloth). Also need to get chair pads recovered.

Any ideas also no these lines or maybe something random like getting table top zinc covered?

[langlandgirl]

Or maybe I should just sand them to really light so not so orange?

[VodkaValiumLattePlease]

Could you stain it dark? That would like awesome

[Cathaka15]

Yes. Staining them would look really good or maybe just buy a black and white zigzag ish oil cloth for the table to give it the edge. Tk maxx ?

[langlandgirl]

wary about staining it but like the idea of the zigzag chevron theme - just can't find any oil cloth designs i like [hmn] Have you seen any in TK Maxx?

[Kidnapped]

I agree that the wood is lovely but too samey in the one area. A tablecloth would be lovely. I'd put an oilcloth over for everyday and then a posh one for special occasions.

I like Textile Express for such things.

A search gives 110 oil cloths. Some really nice designs.

I like the Sheep one. Others might be looking for a more sophisticated look though.

[Kidnapped]

Actually they are mostly country kitchen type things. Not edgy enough.

The Scandi Trees thing might be okay though.

[Ihearthickson]

Some nice oilcloth designs here
www.scandinaviandesigncenter.com/Products/gbp1/Scandinavian_Fabrics/Vaxdukar

[langlandgirl]

thanks all. I'll have a look through them. I also came across yhalcloth but i think that i'd grow tired of that quite quickly!

[badtasteflump]

It's a lovely table and lovely flooring - I wouldn't change either. I would maybe just 'break up' the expanse of wood with a bit of table decoration - a tablecloth (but not an oilcoth imo - I think they make it look like a cafe) and maybe some chair backs and/or cushion seats in brighter colours - like this

I would also put some kind of rug under the table to 'ground' it as it looks a bit undefined and floaty to me...

[SasherinSuite]

Dunelm do a nice range of oilcloth covers. Lovely kitchen btw

[SasherinSuite]

Would you be willing to paint them with chalk paint?

[Ifailed]

I think it's the bench that makes it all look a bit 'woody'; you effectively have three levels of flat wood. Could you find a way to cover the bench, or at least swap it for the 2 chairs?

[WitchWithAStitch]

It's the chair backs which don't fit the theme for me
But yes, I would second Dunelm, maybe buy a few samples to see them in situ. And I assume you've looked in John Lewis?

[langlandgirl]

thanks all - keep it coming. I'm not averse to chalk painting them - was thinking black or black chevron seat pad material?

i know what you mean Witch about the chair backs - they are 15 years old! What if i just changed the chairs?

I've got a trip to John lewis in mind - saw a grey one i kind of like but i'm not involve with it - whereas i'm in love with everything else in the kitchen!

[badtasteflump]

Ew don't chalk paint them - I honestly think in a few years people will look back at all this shabby shit style stuff and wonder wtf we were doing. It looks awful imo and is not remotely durable.

[myfriendnigel]

I would chalk paint it steel grey/black.Just flat colour, don't Colvin about distressing it etc.
It's a piece of piss to do, but remember to wax it well afterwards.

[myfriendnigel]

Yes or just change the chairs-get some more modern looking ones from IKEA-maybe mismatched (not for everyone but I like mismatched chairs).

[myfriendnigel]

Yes or just change the chairs-get some more modern looking ones from IKEA-maybe mismatched (not for everyone but I like mismatched chairs).

[MadameCholetsDirtySecret]

What about changing chairs for something like this?

m.maisonsdumonde.com/UK/en/produits/fiche/polypropylene-and-oak-chair-in-grey-ice-147061.htm?_fp1=PPC_Shopping&_fp2=UK_GS_All%20Products%20%28Low%20Prio%29&_fp3=182979911340&_fp4=%7Bproductid%7D&gclid=Cj0KEQjw4fy_BRCX7b6rq_WZgI0BEiQAl78nd5-PAzWCMgredLJFIwXF4W3jSyfo9JjhHL6UYQu9VzsaAkWI8P8HAQ

[Kidnapped]

I like the chairs as they are.

And no to the chalk paint or even staining. Okay to cover over a hideous, cheap bit of furniture but a crime to even think about it with lovely pieces (which yours are).

Just keep up the hunt for a nice tablecloth. Could you do something a bit edgy with the back of the kitchen units/peninsula that faces onto the table and chairs? That might lift a bit of the samey feel to that area*.

*Disclaimer. I have no design skills whatsoever. As noted with my recommendation of the sheep-themed oilcloth earlier.

[mermaidbutmytailfelloff]

I would paint the chair legs and table legs, probably different colours but I love mismatched.

or I would put the chairs in the loft and go to an auction and buy some old mismatched chairs, and put some comfy cushions on them.

[Pantsalive]

I agree it's all a bit woody. Are you planning to do anything with the back of the kitchen unit run? I feel that that unfinished board may be what is pushing it too far.

Other than that, I definitely think a more modern oil cloth would be good (and cheap) and I wonder if you could make a cushion for the bench.

[langlandgirl]

the back of the units was supposed to be temporary but it's growing on me so I'm thinking of keeping it for a while.

mermaid, I like the idea of mooching around auctions to find mismatched chairs. Kidnapped, thanks for your kind words about my furniture - i do love it especially as it was a wedding gift but i am tired of it iykwim

Madame cholet - will look at those chairs now - thanks

[langlandgirl]

ok i've pondered with the idea of the eames replica/style chair but i sort of feel as beautiful as they are, they've been over done. Our house is 1930's and has a range of modern and new furniture and "things" (think grandfather clock, barometer, old chairs etc) so I think i am leaning more towards old mismatched - maybe painted (but not chalk paint) chairs.

I am also still on the hunt for an oilcloth or table surface (had thought about zinc but not sure about the upkeep and the cost of covering) So if anyone comes across something funky, pleeeeease think of me!

[mouldycheesefan]

I would lose the chipboard on the back of the units it makes it look like the kitchen isn't finished and I think that is the big problem really. A rug under the table would help with the excess wood issue. Cushion on bench and brighter tablecloth also good ideas and an opportunity to bring some colour to the room