First things first. We have a furniture name change to attend to. Our giant 70″ dining table arrived (you know, the one we blathered on and on about here), and he just can’t be called Woody. Because he’s obviously not a he, he’s a she. Given her elegant lines and curvy figure, I don’t know how we ever could have made that mistake. We finally landed on Stella as her new moniker because she’s definitely a stellar addition to the future dining room. Har har. And since we already have Ed (the bed) and Karl (the sectional), I felt like I needed a lady-friend to balance things out.
Update: Everyone’s asking about the paint swatches in the background – but they’re actually really old. Here’s that post for ya.
And here’s the varied carved top that I described more here. It’ll be great for hiding those dings and dents that happen when you live with kiddos. And when you yourself aren’t known to be the most coordinated person in the world. I may have had one or two incidents involving flying salad tongs in the past.
The great thing is that although the top has a nice rough texture – and it’s made of super durable (and sustainable) sheesham wood – that gorgeous hand-carved look isn’t so “dented” (for lack of a better word) that you can’t balance a glass on it or you worry that crumbs will get stuck in the crevices. We’d best describe ’em as nice mild waves.
We also love that the base isn’t as invasive as something with legs (or even a leggy-pedestal) could have been. So once we pull eight apple green upholstered chairs around it, no one will end up straddling a leg throughout the meal. Nice.
Yup, Stella is nothing if not balanced and poised. She instantly created that casual and inviting vibe that we were going for in the future dining room. We centered her right on the giant picture window, which still leaves some room on the other side of the room to create a nice defined entryway so it doesn’t feel like you’re walking right into the middle of a dining room. And once we add our 6′ opening between the kitchen and the future dining room (which we plan to line up with the picture window for some nice balance) and drop a chandelier or pendant over the table we think it’ll really be a huge improvement.
But back to Stella. Her welcoming round shape isn’t too stuffy, but it’s still classic and even luxe looking thanks to the rich-toned wood (we really really wanted a wood toned table over something painted so it could get weathered and loved over the years while wipeable chairs and colorful art and curtains could add some punch and interest around our big round table). And speaking of those chairs, I’m convinced that Stella will look endlessly more fab when we pair her with some fun apple green leather (or faux leather) parsons chairs down the line. I may have mentioned them, oh, seven or eight times. I’m thinking something like this after we build up the ol’ bank balance. I just love the idea of mixed and matched dining furniture so it feels casual and kind of library-esque (thanks to upholstery instead of lots of wooden chairs paired with a similarly toned wood table). Because let’s face it. This room will definitely multitask as a big surface where kids will do crafts and school projects and all that good stuff. At least if we’re lucky, because I painted that quaint little picture in my head and I want it to actually happen.
Anyway, enough soul baring and dream sharing for now. Until we get those green chairs, Stella will just be hanging out in the middle of our future dining room alone. That is once we figure out where those slipper chairs that used to be in the living room will end up. And after we finally craigslist the white slipcovered sofa (we’ll share the link over to our craigslist ad for any interested locals when that day comes). Yes, this is what the room actually looks like these days:
Feel free to have a little caption contest with this awkward setup. My entry would be: “Gary was such a couch potato that he preferred to eat his potatoes on the couch.” Um, yeah I suck at captions. Please come up with something better.
The point is that we’ll get our little furniture smorgasbord straightened up sooner or later. And then our girl Stella will be the true star of the room. Cause she’ll be the only thing in the room. Hah. But somehow I don’t think she’ll mind living it up in there alone. She’s all woman. And she can totally hold her own. Do you know how heavy that chunky wood tabletop is? Let’s just say it took two muscled men about 30 minutes to wrestle it into place. Gotta love a strong (& sexy) femme fatale. Go on with your bad self, Stella.
Psst- Our babyproofing adventures have begun over on BabyCenter. Let’s just say we’re taking baby steps, so you can check out some riveting outlet cover chatter here. Oh and feel free to share your babyproofing tips – we’re total novices to the point of hilarity.
i love it!!!
you’ve probably seen these, but just in case:http://www.bing.com/search?q=green+leather+parsons+chairs&src=IE-SearchBox
I actually think the set up you have going on right now is pretty snazzy! I’ve seen several home/design magazines with a loveseat or sofa in the dining room.
I love, Love, LOVE your new table. Great choice!
3 men and a little(big) lady…. she is beautiful!!
Congratulations on your new table! Honestly, you’d think I was getting this table because I have been checking about every 5 min since 2 pm (your usual afternoon post time)! I love it!
Phew! So glad to know I’m not the only one who watches the clock for posts! 10:00 and 2:00!
so glad I’m not the only one!
It’s 10pm & 2am for me. I wait for the evening one before bed and if I wake up during the night I have to convince myself not to check for the other! Pretty sad I know!
Wow that’s sweet Tanya!
xo,
s
Me too Tanya!!
Sweet table, I beginning to see your vision here, I was a bit worried in the beginning.
Well I admit I wasn’t picturing it initially, almost turned off by the bulky base. But I really appreciate not having the awkward leg or post to kick while eating–plus the ample seating. (This is assuming you’re inviting me over to cook for you, ha) Stella (a favorite name of mine) is really stunning in this room, and I am waaaaay on board with the apple green chairs.
I’m dreaming of my own kitchen table one day when we’re beyond the apartment… right now, we have a barely-seats-four [cracked] tile-topped wobbley table. I dream of a huuuuuge dining table piled with platters of delicious home-cookin’
: )
happy decorating!
Lins
She’s a beaut, and looks fabulous in that space!
She is BEAUTIFUL! I can’t wait to see her with the green chairs!
Gary! Ha! Are you reading “Catalog Living”? It’s so great!
(http://catalogliving.net)
Yes! That was a subtle tribute. Love that site!
xo,
s
Hurrah! Super subtle! Love the table! Hurray!
Stella rocks! Love the bands around the base. Did I mention that Stella is my daughter’s name? Double plus – it was my grandmother’s name too. Stella’s rock.
What a beautiful girl! Congratulations! I really love the rustic-ness and routed detail in the base!
Haha hilarious that you have a couch there for right now!
I’d love to see what it looks like extended (or did I make that part up? I can’t seem to find now where I thought I read that it expands to seat more people…)
The top is actually solid, so it doesn’t extend. We’ve heard that round 70″ tables can easily fit 10-14 people though (according to a few party planners) and we’ll also have a kitchen island for additional seating. Wahoo!
xo,
s
That makes sense, I guess maybe I was thinking of another blog post I read somewhere and got fooled by what looked like some sort of slide mechanism in picture number 5. Thanks!
It could have been GreenInOC’s comment on that original table post (she linked to an awesome round expandable table- soooo amazing!).
xo,
s
Yep, that totally could have been it!
wait a minute, i missed that comment and now i can’t find it! Can somebody link to this elusive extending round table, because it sounds like exactly what I’m looking for?!?!
Here ya go: https://www.younghouselove.com/table-talk/comment-page-3/#comment-409521
xo,
s
Love it….and love Catalog Living too!! ;)
Not exactly what you are looking for but these green parsons dining chairs from target are too cute http://tinyurl.com/6ldela3
Oh those are really cute!
yes, they are! i just day-dreamed for half an hour abouthow i could fit them into my house.
And that price is for 2 of them? Not bad.
Love the table! And I kind of like how the slipper chairs look with it.
I know I’m jumping the gun, but I’m seriously interested in the white couch when you’re ready. I’m here in RIC and can pick it up. Just gotta know the $$ to make sure it’s in the budget!
Can’t wait to see it with regular dining chairs – I’m sure the size will come across much clearer then. And I’m sure we’ll have a “How Stella Got Her Groove Back” post title SOMEDAY in the future. Good times.
And are those new paint swatches I spy on the walls? Loving that top shade!
Nope, they’re old! So funny that everyone is noticing them. Check out this post about ’em: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
s
Funny, I even checked the other pictures to see if they were “new” because I’d remembered when you tested them before!
Gorgeous!
Good thing your farther away from the street so people walking by don’t think you are too cheap for chairs and just pull up the couch to have dinner….
i see your new chairs in front of the desk. have you painted or fixed them up at all yet?
Nope, we have a few other priorities first, so we’re enjoying them as-is for now.
xo,
s
Have we already discussed the painted squares on the wall? Did I miss that?
Here’s the link to that old post for ya: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
d
Duh…totally forgot you tried out those colors on the wall in that room.
Love it!! Now I need to find myself something similar.
These are upholstered so they may not clean as easily… http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Cameron-Apple-Green-Dining-Chair-Set-of-2/3431293/product.html
I know you guys are going to be putting in a ceiling fixture, but do you have any tips on cheating a fixure that is off-centered over a table??
Maybe you can cheat it with a large ceiling medallion? You know, tape the covered wire to the ceiling and inch it over and cover that with a big medallion? Not sure if that would work. Good luck!
xo,
s
Leah, I’m having the same problem with an off-center lighting fixture and my plan is to get a pendant that is swag-able (i.e. the kind with a chain covering over the wire, not a solid metal or wood) and swag it over about a foot, onto a ceiling hook. Adding a medallion would probably give it a more finished appearance, too.
i was watching a show (get is sold?) a couple of weeks ago where the sellers had this same dilemma with an off-centered light fixture in their dining room.
they ended up swagging the light cord from its original location and attaching the fixture to a point centered over the table.
the finished effect looked pretty decent. i’ll try to find a link to it.
nice! i love that table surface, the grooves remind me of this copper table that was really beautiful but totally impractial for how we live. http://www.amazon.com/Wildon-Home-American-Cocktail-Table/dp/B0040U7428
plus i love the way you guys show everything in transition (like your couch in the dining room). i’m such a type a personality that i really have to resist the urge to get everything done and in place, like yesterday.
it helps to see that you guys take things step by step and how the house evolve as you add new pieces over time.
I want to chime in and say I really appreciate and love that about YHL, too. You don’t just show us the before and afters (which I also love!) but the durings and oopsies and all the other changes, as well.
Aw thanks guys. Anything for you!
xo,
s
she’s absolutely stunning!
how about “gary stuck out like a square peg at a round-table discussion.”
lousy at captions, too. so it goes.
Cool table I must say! BTW … I spy paint samples on the walls. Any idea yet for room color?
Yup, those are old! Check out this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
s
VERY cool table. I wasn’t quite convinced by the teaser post but I have learned not to doubt you anymore! Can’t wait to see it with some green chairs!
Although I wasn’t loving it at first (to each their own) but now I’m kinda liking it! Way to open my eyes! My family dining table growing up was a pain to whomever sat at the ‘head’ and couldn’t reach any of the food. I just might have to have a round table now! Way to go!
You named your table after my baby girl! How sweet of you. :)
I spy color swatches on the wall—is this room next to be painted?
Hey Meredith,
We’ll get to it someday! We actually did those a while back: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
s
Uh, um….I think it dominates the room…and with the furniture…well, I’m glad you like it. To each their own. I’m sure you’d hate my dining room!
I’m awful at captions too! There are some fun ones listed above though!! =)
Congrats on stella… she’s gooooorgeous! =) I love the barrel-esque base and textured top! perfect for salad tong incidents!
xoXOxo
Jenn @ Peas & Crayons
She’s a big/hefty girl for sure.
I like the table, but I disagree, it is definitely a he and not a she. The bottom is very he-like. And so is the rugged-looking top. But I do like it very much nonetheless.
It looks great! I found these chairs (scroll to the bottom) on House of Turquoise last week – they would look awesome!
http://www.housebella.com/2011/02/11/inspiration-files-house-of-turquoise/
THOSE ARE GORGEOUS! I would die for those. Especially those at around 99 a pop. Might be a pipe dream…
xo,
s
i’ve been picturing these crate and barrel chairs ever since you mentioned wanting green parsons chairs: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-chairs/folio-kiwi-leather-side-chair/f9236#reviews
Love those! They’re just a bit out of our price range. But we’ll find something!
xo,
s
On home decorators collection there are some awesome green chairs! I am actually thinking of getting them for my round kitchen table to add a pop. And the apple green/kiwi/olive ones are on sale- 79 per chair. Not to shabby!
lover her! i can’t hardly wait to see you dining room when it’s all finished!!
Elaine thinks Gary is putting on a bit of weight..think he will get the hint when he gets the couch to sit on instead of a chair?
LOVE THIS ONE.
Nice choice…LOVELY.
SHE IS WOMAN….HEAR HER ROAR!!!
Just keep on doing what you do……Brilliant, again!!!
Can’t wait to see the green chairs! I’m still so obsessed with your bookshelf decorating skills in every pic of that room you post. You guys rock.
AWESOME!!!
Wait a minute – I think Stella has been living with you for some time now, because there are gray paint swatches on the wall in all of the pics! :)
Either way, she’s a beaut!
Hey Janet,
Those were there for a while! See this post: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
s
I love it! I am excited to see the chairs around the table. It will look very nice when the dining room is done. What a perfect table for game nights!! :O)
xo
Kelly
Shes a beaut!!!!
But what about how the two “woods” in the room are different colors. Are you going to change the floor finish?
Someday we’d love to refinish all of our floors in a deep mocha color, but it still won’t be the same color as the table. We don’t mind layered tones that “go” but don’t match. In our last house all of the floors were a dark mocha color and all of our furniture was a much deeper espresso color and it all worked pretty well.
xo,
s
Looks like the chairs are interrogating the couch.
“Where were you on the night of April 25th”
Gotta say that with a Daffy Duck channeling Humphrey Bogart kinda voice.
http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Parsons_Rolled-Back_Leather_Chair/600/
Green leather chairs, and on sale!
Those are cute! We’ve seen them on overstock too. We just need to save up a bit before we can pull the trigger!
xo,
s
wow, yes. definately will need the Other chairs. the couch!??!? hahahaha so glad that is NOT permanent!
Beautiful table though!
Oh my goodness!! I am in love with that table. And I am a happily married woman! I want one. Someday, I will have one.
I see paint swatch squares in the dining room!!!!!
Hey Misty,
Yup those are old. Check that post out here: https://www.younghouselove.com/going-gray/
xo,
s
Oh, D’oh! I dunno why, but I completely forgot you had added them to that room as well. Sorry for being the 412th (wrong) person to spy the paint swatches.
Haha, no worries!
xo,
s
I cannot wait to see the chairs for that table – beautiful!
Caption:
How about something like:
John: Sherry, I told you that coffee table was too big for our furniture, but noooooo… You just HAD to have it.
I love this one. Made me LOL!!!
Good one, Jasmine!
I’m curious…do you plan to a round rug under the table or a square/rectangular one or no rug? I find that round, modern rugs are tough to find, and I would love see what you come up with.
We’re actually planning to bring a rug into the entryway to define that space (and will probably leave the area under the dining table rugless). That way there will be one in the office and one on the other side of the room near the entryway for some visual balance. And we’ll pop a chandelier or pendant light over the table to define that zone.
xo,
s
Plus, cleaning food out of a rug (which is bound to happen with a little kid) is no fun!