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.
Dana @ House*Tweaking says
I love Stella! She’s so elegant and casual at the same time. Great find, guys.
I was just thinking since you said you’ve been rearranging your furniture lately…Have you ever thought of putting your fold-out sofa {the one in the office} into one of your spare bedrooms? Maybe the playroom? I remember you saying that you didn’t want guests sleeping in your office. And then put your slipcovered sofa {now in your dining room} into your office, squared up with the doorway to the dining room and relocating your desk to the wall where your fold-out is now. I was thinking of a way to not have to buy so much more furniture.
I’m not saying that’s what you should do, just wanted to throw it out there. I love playing around with furniture arrangements in my head.
Whatever you do, I’ll love it!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re actually thinking we’ll love the foldout in the office someday (once we add french doors down the line) so it can be a backup guest room in a pinch. And since our favorite West Elm daybed is in the playroom (it’ll someday become Clara’s big girl bed, and probably remain in that room while baby #2 will end up in the nursery) that seems like the best placement for now. But I love the ideas Dana! Thanks for the suggestion!
xo,
s
Rachelle says
caption: Well Bob, we might as well play a game of cards since the table dropped in.
BTW, love the table. We have a small 4-person round drop leaf table and are contemplating replacement options. Just measured and 70″ is too large for our space. I’d love to DIY one from Anawhite.com we’ll see
Allison says
I saw this and thought of you — maybe not as comfy as the parsons but dang good looking!
http://pinterest.com/pin/5156190/
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh those are cute for sure. But I’m just married to the plush green leather (or faux) parsons idea…
xo,
s
Laura says
Wow, LOVE this table! And I think the apple green chairs will be a great addition. Very elegant, but not too stuffy.
Also, just want to say, I’ve been following your site for a while (am a renter in SF, chomping at the bit to own a house some day)… and maybe I’m imagining things, but you guys seem to to be letting the goofiness come through in your posts these days like never before. I love it! I didn’t realize just what a ridonkulous sense of humor was hiding in there. Keep it coming, please :)
MaryGene says
Stella is the name of my car!!!!
And she is a beaut. Y’all picked a great name. And a great table.
Bon appetit!
Cherie says
I’m glad I’m not the only one who gets overly excited when you get new furniture. Love her.
Also just wanted to let you know that I’ve recently become OBSESSED with your blog- you guys are great and have totally inspired me (and decreased my productivity at work immensely!)
It also doesn’t hurt that my husband and I are named Jon and Cherie :)
YoungHouseLove says
Aw that’s so cute. You’re our alter egos!
xo,
s
Genevieve says
There is something that screams nautical about that table – maybe the barrel-esque base or the uneven waxy surface. Not cruise liner, more ketch – think Pirates of the Carribean. You definitely need some of those metal cups with handles and John needs a hook for a hand…. funny mental picture.
Jennifer says
Wow, that’s pretty dramatic/stunning/eye-catching. Really good deal Sherry!
I really love seeing what is the outcome of it all – lets us really know what plans you labored over in thought! It’s so much fun to think creatively :D
I so wish I was in the right place at the right time for your couch! Hopefully a fellow blogger can pick it up or someone who can really appreciate the couch b/c it’s such an amazing find on Craigslist! I imagine there’ll be some competition…
Sherri says
Love the table! Can you please tell me where to find a similar vase that shape and size? I’ve been looking for one everywhere and can’t seem to find one.
YoungHouseLove says
We got that one from ZGallerie a while back, but I’ve seen similar versions at TJ Maxx, Marshall’s, and HomeGoods. Hope it helps!
xo,
s
Kathy says
Really a unique, beautiful table! The surface reminds me of those lovely handscraped wood floors.
Jocelyn Stott says
Beautiful! I love everything about that table!
melissa devine says
a beautiful table that shares a name with my little lady. i like :)
lisbet diemer says
I think all babys should arrive with a Gaffa tape subscription, don’t know what I would have done with out it.
– always keep gaffa tape and eight hour cream at hand – and now that you have a round dinner tabel you have got everything very importent for living life at the fullest.. or just about!
susan says
Stella….large and in charge. I wondered how you got the table in there. susan
Cristina says
This is the first time I don’t like something you bought (and I follow you since years!).
The base of the table is too.. too.. big? it reminds me of a wine barrel.. maybe too “country style” for your house.
Ok, nothing serious here, just my humble opinion ;-) anyway I’m sure once it will have the chairs around, it’ll look much better and “lighter” :-D
Peggy says
That’s a great table!
jja says
Really unique table! It will look even better when you remove one side wall, this table need more space ;-)
Anja says
I love the colour and the ridgy surface! It looks exactly as I pictured it from your description, too :) I’m not sure about the leg, though, it’s a bit too massive for my tastes. Can’t wait to see it with the chairs because up till now everything I was unsure about in your house(s) turned out great in the end :D
Paula/adhocmom says
Stella is super pretty. Serious, but not stodgy. It looks like she’ll fit in really well. Stella also has really good feng shui. . . and I bet she knows it too!
Denise says
Awesome new table…great texture on the table top. Can’t wait for the green chairs!
I was wondering if you have enough header space to add a glass transom when you knock out a 6′ opening into the kitchen? Gotta love a transom and the natural light that comes with it.
YoungHouseLove says
That would be absolutely amazing, but unfortunately the height of our home’s doorways plus the thick-ish crown molding (which we’re not complaining about, btw) doesn’t leave much room.
xo,
s
Kyle says
Oh.she’s.so.gorgeous.
I HAVE TABLE ENVY!
P.S. Stella is MUCH better than Woody. ;)
Denise says
I can easily see your slipper chairs finding a new home in your master bedroom. If you move your chest to the other corner (where the leather chair now resides) would there be enough room for the slipper chairs and a small table between them? Also, any plans to paint the chest?
YoungHouseLove says
That old dresser will probably find a home in the guest bedroom (where it used to live in our old house) and we’ll rescue some craigslist dresser for our master (and maybe even paint it a fun color like eggplant). As for the slipper chairs, we’re not sure where they’ll land but we’ll fill you guys in on all the details when they find a new spot!
xo,
s
blackwhitereadallover says
Wow! No words could have prepared us for Stella. She is a classic beauty.
Lynnski says
How many chairs will gather around Stella every day? Obviously, 10-14 is too many, right? I’m thinking maybe 7, for Stella and the Seven green Dwarves. Then you’ll pull other chairs from other areas when larger numbers of guests gather?
Looking forward to seeing your number solution, since it will involve math and all.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re thinking we’ll order 8 green parsons chairs and then bring in various other chairs from around the house in a pinch. We’ll also have the kitchen island seating once that’s done, so we should be in good shape! Someday…
xo,
s
KatyB says
I love it! I can see where you guys are changing up your style and flexing your decorating muscles. You definitely mastered the subtle beachy look, and I can’t wait to see what you do with this new edgier direction.
Suzie says
I absolutely adore the table and that you named her Stella!!!!!!
kim says
i know some one has probably already said this but I don’t have time to go through the 262 posts, man you guys are popular, anyways are those the new (old) bamboo chairs in the office area I see.
Jessica says
“Stella’s hard woods brought all the boys to the yard, and their like its better than yours”
This table is really neat…we have a round but with the legs and it’s so intrusive for chairs! Can’t wait to see it with the apple green chairs…maybe I can show my hubby and convince him to let me add some color to ours! Fingers crossed.
Christina K. says
Hi Youngsters,
I love your blog and have been following it faithfully since my friend introduced it to me about a year ago. I’ve learned so much. I have a question – we have this dining table from Crate and Barrel – http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-tables/basque-honey-82%22-dining-table/s180378 – and after we got it, we noticed that it wasn’t as durable as I thought it would be. Cups would leave water marks and take off some of the finish. What would you recommend to seal the table? I know that you’ve used SafeCoat Acrylaq in the past. Would you recommend that for a dining table? My husband isn’t a fan of it because he thinks it’s too runny and doesn’t apply evenly. Just wondering what you would do…. Thanks.
YoungHouseLove says
Hmm, we’d probably give it a try since we love SafeCoat Acrylaq and have had good results! Just do it thinly and evenly. Probably thee thin coats would be best. And let everything dry thoroughly between coats and before using the table again. Good luck!
xo,
s
Beth says
I love the new table, it’s very different than what you usually find these days! Our hardwood floors have that same texture and they told us it’s called “spoon scraped” texture.
Melanie says
Your caption contest about your furniture set-up cracked me up! If you haven’t already, you guys need to check out catalogliving.net. These people post pics from Pottery Barn catalogs, and other nice furniture places and add hysterical captions to them. Their “characters” they use all the time are actually Elaine and GARY. The fact that you used his name is awesome.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes, the use of Gary was a subtle tribute to Catalog Living. Love that site!
xo,
s
Kristin says
“John and Sherry found their design therapy sessions were significantly more productive when their patients ate first…”
Nikki T says
The table looks fabulous!
And I can’t wait to see it with those green chairs!
Serina Shook says
Not sure if anyone else has already shared the Sophia bonded leather chairs from World Market with you yet or not, but here they are just incase:
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3807664
I bought 2 of these when they went on sale for $99 each and also used a 25% off coupon on top of that, making them a fantastic $75 each!
Diana says
Love love love it!! …I mean, “her”… :)
Elena says
“Go on with your bad self Stella.” Sherry you crack me up! She’s awesome and soooooooooooo a girl table.
Jacci in Ohio says
Hey, youngsters!!!! Long time no comment! :) I’ve been lurking, though. Taking it all in. Congrats on the the new house!
Just wanted to pop in and say that when Clara is older & the grooves start to make her crazy while she’s trying to create her little artwork you can always clip her paper to a clipboard for her. Or another art board, for that matter. We have a tile top table in the kitchen (where the kids do most of their drawing/writing) and the clipboards help eliminate frustration from the grout lines making their crayons go wild.
So excited for you guys and all the changes your making to the new home!
XOXOXO,
Jacci & Sam
carolinaheartstrings says
Well that Stella sure has a big . . . .. sturdy base doesn’t she? Cannot wait to see green chairs grouped round here.
KellyJo says
Are you guys considering putting a rug underneath the dining table? I recently put one under my oversized wood table (oversized dining room with hardwood floors – sound familiar?) but I’m kind of concerned about food spills, etc., and getting the rug dirty or mildewy.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re actually thinking of adding a rug to the entryway area to define that space (so it’ll balance out the rug on the other side of the room in the office). At least for the next few years, the table will probably remain rugless.
xo,
s
Nicole says
Its so neat to see your style evolving from the first house. More color, more daring/out of the ordinary pieces. This table is absolutely fantastic and looks-one-of-a-kind, without the one-of-a-kind price tag. Great find!
Natalie says
LOVE the table! I was waiting anxiously to see it, after your great description. Well done, Petersik’s. Well done. :)
denise says
I’ve loved the saga of the round table. Stella is gorgeous. I have to say–I like the way it looks with the couch. I know that particular couch might be too low for proper dining, but I think you should go with the concept and run with it–I would get a banquette for the back wall to complement the table and future green parson’s chairs. I think it embraces the feel you’re going for–and creates an awesome vibe for this dining room that is actually the first room visitors walk into. It also works well for those future arts and crafts projects.
Dayna says
Okay. I love the table and must tell you that we have a rustic table. It is from about 14 years ago when we first moved into our home and the Rustic Mexican look was highly popular. Although I have wanted to change it many times, the great thing is that it is perfect for my kids with its rusticness (not word, I know. Any dents or dings only adds to the patina! It is round as well. The only reason I wanted to change it was because I had wanted to go contemporary with a sleek pedestal dark chocolate table (like your parsons table. However, my children are not old enough for me to have that yet! LOL. Regarding the chairs, I live in Los Angeles, but was in both TJ Max and Marshalls the other day and they had these cute apple green tufted leather or faux (note sure) chairs that I think would work. I thought of you all actually, but had not seen the table yet. I love the table and the base is so sturdy. Ours has the four legs even thought it is round and they do get in the way. I just love seeing what you all do next!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the chair suggestion! We’ll have to check them out!
xoxo,
s
Darla Bennett says
Beautiful table! We actually went to The Dump for the first time on Sat. and I saw your table. So pretty. That place is NOT cheap, though! I don’t understand what the hype is about..??
Jenna says
I think you should have named her Rhonda…
YoungHouseLove says
That was definitely a close second! Haha.
xo,
s
Tabitha says
Love the Table!!! and your site.. I’ve just spend the morning looking over all your before and afters!!
meryl rose says
Whenever I see that straight ahead angle into your office, I always think the two objects in the top/middle part of your built-in is the doorway’s mustache :) The curly-q shape is the perfect handle bar mustache to your open and airy office entry way :) It gives me a giggle each time
YoungHouseLove says
Haha that’s so funny because John calls it “The Mustache” too!
xo,
s
Lynn says
Heh Heh, my 14 month old red headed sassy daughter’s name is Stella. Nice choice!
Sumana says
I’ve been following your blog for a few months now, but this is the first time I’m writing in. I just have a word of caution for your lovely Sheesham dining table. Sheesham is a native Indian wood, so most likely your table was made in India. Having had some experience with such furniture, I know that some manufacturers use well weathered/seasoned wood to make their furniture, while some don’t. I have seen some lovely sheesham furniture, as well as some that look really great when you buy them and then start to give out a white powder as the insects inside the unseasoned wood start to bore their way out. I would suggest you use some kind of protective coating on the wood to prevent this problem – just in case. Hate to be a wet blanket but wanted to warn you nevertheless.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the warning! We’ll definitely look into it!
xo,
s
Sheila Zeller says
I love your table – you have struck gold!