The new kitchen table

September 18, 2014

Oh my! I am so excited about not only the new space in the family room (after taking down the wall), but the fact that we have so much more space in our kitchen as well. Because everything shifted down towards the old office our kitchen space has doubled. It is DREAMY.

A couple months back (I can’t believe it’s been that long!) I asked your thoughts on moving our table and we did end up moving it between the sectional and the kitchen island. I had the light moved over and we LOVE it this way.

Because we have way more space there compared to when it was over by the back door and pantry we were able to consider a new table for the space – I’ve always had to work with a much smaller area so this was pretty exciting for me.

I’ve spent the past two months trying to find the perfect table. I went back and forth between buying and building a table. I did a combo of both on the previous kitchen table (we are moving that one down to the basement) and this time I was considering building from scratch. I had a definite look in mind and it involved these legs:

1190

I am obsessed with the curved look of them. I wanted to go a little more “pretty” this time (compared to the more clean lines of our previous farmhouse table). Honestly though, I just couldn’t pull the trigger and start building – sometimes when you DIY a lot you like to just BUY something. :) So that’s what I started looking into next. I stalked Craigslist for solid month and almost drove three hours round trip to pick up an old table I was going to refinish. It was a basic turned leg table and I liked it…but not enough to drive that far, especially for a Craigslist table. What if it wasn’t in great shape or didn’t look like it did in the pictures?

So I started looking online but everything I liked was so expensive. It was when I was finally going back to plans of building it when I found THE ONE. I happened upon it one evening and fell in love with the shape and the legs and the size and everything…and the icing on the cake was when I noticed it came unfinished.

WHOOT! I couldn’t believe it! I never thought in a million years I’d find the table I wanted for a decent price and unfinished – I guess that’s why it cost less than others I was looking at. Most people probably want a table they don’t have to mess with. ;) But that’s great for me because it’s an empty canvas to work with:

rubberwood table

This table is a smidge wider than our old one and much longer – about 15 inches longer with the leaf in the middle:

unfinished kitchen table

We’ll keep the leaf in pretty much all the time – it gives us plenty of room. At the old table the chairs were closer together so this gives us space to spread out. I’m considering chairs for the ends of the table too but not sure about that just yet.

The best parts are the details along the apron and the gorgeous legs:

french country table

I adore it. So beautiful. I cannot believe I found exactly what I wanted, seriously. The legs are nice and thick – the whole table is incredibly heavy – 100 percent solid wood. It’s made of rubberwood which has a similar finish and hardness to maple. The difference is the top is made in more of a butcher block look, not full planks.

I love that it’s a harder wood so it won’t be an issue when doing homework and writing out bills. Our pine-top table was softer and sometimes the writing would transfer. I was fine with it but would prefer something a little stronger. AND there are no grooves – it’s nice and smooth. I looked at so many tables that had those blasted grooves in the top!:

french country kitchen table

So now I’m trying to figure out what to do with it! I’ve always been a dark top/white leg kind of girl but I have to tell you I’m kind of loving the lighter look. I love the lighter wood against the chair color – and I don’t want dark legs that will match the floor too much: curved leg table

At first I was considering a gray wash on the top and white legs, but we already have so much gray going on in the room. It would match the chairs and the light and the built ins and the fireplace… I did wipe on some dark stain underneath and it looks SO good, but again I think I want to go a different direction with this one.

So now I’m leaning toward just waxing it or brushing on some poly to seal it. I am loving the more natural wood look right now, but I’m not sure if I’d like this bare look long term. I think it needs something – a wash perhaps?:

french country dining table

As it is now you can really appreciate all the curves and pretty lines on it and I feel like those stand out more in this lighter state.

Any ideas for me? It’s a blank slate but I don’t want to do anything that’s going to be a pain to sand down and redo any time soon. I do want to do something soon though – it’s making me nervous to use it without any kind of protection on it.

I’m excited about the potential! I think it’s a beauty. :) Oh, by the way, I got it from Wayfair – my first purchase from there and I was really pleased with it and the delivery process. Plus free shipping!

Let me know if you’ve done a lighter or natural finish you love! I’d love tips!

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Comments

  1. Gorgeous table. It looks fabulous and such a great size.

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  2. very pretty! can you put a clear wax on it and just keep it that way? I love the look

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  3. Might sound a little too wild, but what if you did a color for the legs, and a natural top? Might look cool, and it'd be a fun way to add a little more color in your space.

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  4. what about a light white wash?

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    1. I like that idea -- I was looking at pics of that last night!

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    2. The distressed white wash on this table would be pretty! http://www.wayfair.com/Kosas-Home-Amelie-Dining-Table-51001572-GHM2068.html

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  5. I used the Rustoleum stain in Driftwood on a farm table I just built. I love it and was thinkinking if I had it to do over gain I would do 2 coats driftwood with a thinned out coat of a pearly white or pale gray and the poly. I painted the legs & apron Santorini Blue. I think your table would look wonderful all one color or stain. FWIW

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  6. I love the look of your table and the way the entire space has turned out! It's quite a transformation, and I'm completely jealous of all of the open space you now have! I agree with keeping the table a lighter color, I think it goes great with the chairs and has a good contrast with the floors. The setup looks very Restoration Hardware-esque!

    I did have a quick question regarding how you moved the light fixture over the dining table - I have an off-centered light fixture in my dining room and it is driving me crazy! I will likely hire out the electrical work, but just curious if that is what you did, and how did you address the hole where the fixture was before? Was it DIY, done by the electrician, or part of the work completed in the overall room?

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  7. Black distressed finish.

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  8. I love, love, love the natural color. I'd go with just sealing it for now! You could always sand the seal back off and paint or re-stain later. You can always go darker down the road if you want!

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  9. I'm a sucker for grey wash, but I agree it would look a little too matchy with your chairs. What about glossy black for the legs (it would relate to your back door) and a medium tone stain for the top? Kind of like this, but a little less glam and more casual: http://melissamercier.com/Blog/?p=10850

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  10. Also, the table and chandelier are off center from the wall behind them, but if you hung curtains high and wide, they could be centered on the curtain panel. Of course, then you'd need a smaller bookcase. Just a thought!

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    1. The table would be right next to our island if we tried to center it on that wall. :)

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  11. gah! you have too many woods and colors going on and they don't match or blend at all. white molding, black doors, dark cabinets, darker floors, gray mantle/cabinets, beige/gray walls and now this light wood table. nothing is cohesive here. nothing goes or flows. just lots of mish mash stuff.....keep the table light, it will look better with the gray fireplace area but then lose the black doors and brown cabinets..... too many looks for a small space. jmho.

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    1. Well thanks for your opinion! Glad this is my house and I like it. :)

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    2. Sarah, seriously ignore this anonymous comment. Your house is beautiful!

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    3. Sarah, you are awesome and obviously "Anonymous" has some personal issues!

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    4. Sarah, your house is beautiful and you are such an inspiration to so many. Your posts are the ones I always make sure I read. And, who wants their house to be matchy, matchy? I like the variety and I love your black doors...getting ready to paint mine a dark color. Keep up the good work!

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  12. your house is a beauty, sarah
    too much "cohesiveness" is boring! ;)

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  13. Congrats on the find! glad you got exactly what you need. We have a rubber wood table we finished 10+ years ago, and while our finish job has held up great, we do have lots of 'character' engraving marks from pens, homework, and such. Maybe a tougher protective finish was needed? Not sure. - Rae

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  14. Ok...I'll try this again. I am a fan of MMS. She has a lot of different paint/wax ideas. Here is a recent one that uses a white wax on a very light top. Could give you some inspiration or a treatment to use since you are thinking light top.
    http://missmustardseed.com/2014/09/hand-painted-empire-buffet-take-two/

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    1. And I think a paint color would highlight the curves of the table apron and legs!

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  15. Can you do a finish similar to your World Market console table? I have no idea how you would do that or if you could do that, but love the finish on it. The only DIY experience I have is spray painting an old chrome light fixture black. A monkey could do that.

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    1. It's funny you mention that because I thought the same -- I love it! But it's also the same as the chairs and I'm not sure I want them to match exactly or not. But I don't know how to get that finish -- it's lovely!

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  16. I couldn't help but notice the industrial style shelving unit. I've been looking to buy 2 for my living room. Trying to add some different elements to the mix. If you don't mind me asking where did you get yours?

    ~Thanks, Kylie

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    1. Yes I got it from Joss and Main -- I had a credit so it was crazy cheap! Here's a link: https://www.jossandmain.com/Reclaimed-Grace-Brookfield-Etagere~FV42231~E12085.html

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  17. Just wondering if I missed it but are we ever going to get to see wide view photos of the entirely redone space? I'm curious to see how you managed the long narrow room with your sectional and then the table repositioned. Thank you.

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    1. Yes once I finish the space I will share the whole thing!

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  18. Love the table, chairs, chandlier! I'd match the chandy color. Looking great!!

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  19. I love it! Gorgeous! Have you seen Jen from I heart organizing's desk? That finish with the liming wax would look pretty! I love the table as is, too, though!

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  20. I just have to say that I love mixing things- mixed woods colors etc. Do what makes you happy cuz you are the one who has to look at it every day :)

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  21. I think white legs would be a good way to break up all the wood, and then you could leave the top natural with a wax finish or a light stain.

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  22. Where did you get the industrail shelving unit pictured behind the table??

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    1. I got that from Joss and Main with some credit I had -- it's a great piece!
      https://www.jossandmain.com/Reclaimed-Grace-Brookfield-Etagere~FV42231~E12085.html

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  23. I love the table... and those legs... SWOON!!! If it were me, I might try pickling it. I personally love that look. I'm sure whatever you decide to do will look great!

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  24. What about a full on color? Not hot pink or anything but something you wouldnt expect.

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  25. Photoshop the crap out of the 3rd to last picture til you find the combo you like! :) I love seeing all my options next to each other before I make a decision.

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  26. What about a Danish oil? I wonder if that would have a colour tint to it though? Hmmm, I am really not sure on this one. Gorgeous table though. Good luck deciding! [well, that was helpful wasn't it?? :))]

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  27. I almost see a green on the lower part (maybe like this: http://www.anniesloan.com/acatalog/Chateau_Grey_profile.html ) and a stained to match the chair top!

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  28. Went through this when deciding on the color for our hardwood floors. Needed something that would blend with cherry cabinets and trim, but it couldn't be too dark. I ended up thinning out (a lot) the color that was used on the trim so that it just made the grain pop and blend in with everything else. I'm not familiar with the wood that this table is constructed of, but if it's as hard as maple, it's not going to readily take the stain. You'll have to play with it on the underside. Great looking table!

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  29. How about staining the table a shade lighter than the floor and painting the chairs black or a deep charcoal. That might help tie things together a bit. Are you planning on a rug beneath the table?

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    1. Not at this point -- it's just hard to keep clean. But maybe someday? Not sure.

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  30. Sarah- what about something like this but with a green (like your bench) ? And keep the top light or white washed http://anurseandanerd.blogspot.com/2014/06/refinishing-my-dining-room-table.html
    Oh and as for the "cohesive " comment - I disagree I love the look you got going on ;)

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  31. Sara that table is so beautiful and perfect I think I would clear wax it and call it done. The color of the wood is gorgeous.

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  32. Sarah, I love all your decor!! Could I please ask you where you got your "X" back chairs? These are the ones I want but I need 6 and can not afford the ones at places like Restor. Hardware, etc. Where does a "thrifty" person go to buy these chairs at a reasonable price? Any help appreciated!
    Love your blog!

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    1. I believe she got them at World Market!

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    2. Yes World Market! Love them! Wait for a dining sale and get them then -- I think they may have one going now?

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  33. Jen from I Heart Organizing just posted her work desk/table and how she finished it- industrial-esque. You should check it out and see if it strikes your fancy.

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  34. My cousin has a table very similar and she painted it turquoise! It is gorgeous! Love your table!

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  35. So I have a butcher block table from IKEA. Say what you well about IKEA, but this table is solid and very heavy. I should have put poly on it years ago, at least before the kids came. The way we put the table together too evidently was incorrect and there was always a slight gap in the middle where the leaf lies. It was okay because I used a table runner and it hid it. But when I went to actually fix the table it basically was used to that position and would not fit together any better. So I took some pieces out and although the gap is gone, it is certainly not "right". So my husband has suggested that since we are moving that we get a new table. I love my butcher block table and I have priced similar and they are expensive. I love the natural look of this table, similar color that I have now. I actually might get this!

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  36. OH the table is beautiful.Don't change the table,change the color of the chairs or put two fabric chairs on each end.
    mary
    renonfl@yahoo.com

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  37. Absolutely love your table especially the cabriole legs! As a French Furniture enthusiast and painter i would go with a natural finish but just a tad darker than what you already have. I agree with you that you dont want to match your floor. I just refinished my table I found ata flea market as well I would LOVE for you to check it out. Its actually darker than what I suggested for you. http://thepaintedtableboutique.blogspot.com

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  38. oops, here it is again...http://www.thepaintedtableboutique.blogspot.com

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  39. i would stain the top a deep rich mahogany that has a little red (not too much, only enough to balance the rich floors and SW has great stains!), then I would consider ceruse-ing the top (if that's word:-). I'm not sure if cerusing would work on the wood type. It comes out beautiful on oak. I would then paint the legs to make them pop, but something that would also blend with the decor in your home. Maybe a similar green on the bench?

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  40. I'm thinking white wash. And I would do pretty rattan type chairs on the ends. Different but would still go.

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  41. Have you thought og using Liming Wax on the top? I recently used the wax on a chest and I love the results. You can see this in my sidebar.
    Hugs,
    Sherry

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  42. Beautiful table... I like the idea of a distressed white wash look. I was also thinking of taking the color of those beautiful, green apples you have there and using that color, paint the legs that green in a distressed way. It would add more color to your kitchen.. Just a thought..Oh. And leace the top as is..

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  43. The table is simply gorgeous! I'm so glad you love it. That's important. But I am not seeing the 'thrift' in this $725 purchase. In fact, I didn't see the thrift in tearing down the wall and all that it entailed. It was not 'needed'. It was 'wanted'. I realize it's your home and you love it this way - but I'd like to see some 'thifty decor' things.

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    1. For a solid wood, six foot dining table that price is pretty good actually. Not every purchase I make is an inexpensive one, but when I'm buying something substantial that we'll use for years I'm willing to spend some money on it. Not much we do in our homes is "needed" -- we tend to do what we "want" to make it look and feel a certain way. That's the joy of it! Instead of doing an addition that was going to cost an insane amount of money we took down a wall for a fraction of the price and paid cash for it -- not that I need to excuse what we do in our own home or anything. :) If you'd like to see more of my thrifty projects you can look back at the six years worth of content, there's been plenty along the way.

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  44. The shape of your table was really speaking to me, and then I realized why. Was sitting in my living room with my feet up on my much loved coffee table and looked down. It's your table in pine stained a medium brown:).

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  45. I love the shape of the table's legs, not too delicate, not too 'sturdy'. And the apples in the long tray? Gorgeous! Have you thought of a white/cream milk paint? Very light? Just for the top?

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  46. Minwax Antique Oil Finish. I've used this on an old family table and buffet. I wiped the table with my dishrag and dust the buffet with regular furniture polish or a damp rag. Really lets the wood tones shine through. I used the table for about 15 years with no issues and no water marks. I did wipe on more finish one time during this period. No sanding, no fumes, no high gloss and flaking like urethane. You should really test this on a scrap if you truly want the true wood tone look.

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  47. I love Wayfair! I got so many things from them - even back when they called themselves CSN - great place to shop!

    Maybe a bit of a color wash on either the legs or the top? Maybe grey legs, so it's not too much? I mean, if you love the way it looks under there, why not just go for it?

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  48. I love the table! So much potential! Could you tell me where the shelf unit in the background is from? I LOVE it! Thank you!

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  49. It's GORGEOUS! You know, Miss Mustard Seed has a white wax that might work for you...it would keep the gorgeous grain, the lightness, AND seal the wood. Or maybe something lightly tinted? A little craft paint mixed with wax and you can have ANY color you want - trust me, I've used that tip I got from MMS herself!

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  50. Don't know if it's been suggested or not, but have you thought about an oiled finish? It's my favorite because it's SOOO low maintenance, food safe (if you get 100% pure oil-- my go to is Real Milk Paint Pure Tung Oil) and simply preserves the natural beauty of the wood! Love this table!!

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  51. I love it! I think a little darker stain than the chairs on the top and a gray/white chalk paint on the legs would rock. It would go great with the new gray fireplace. You already have several gray painted areas so it's easy to hold the chair next to them to get an idea of what it would look like together. I'm not the only one who does that, right? ;)

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  52. I think it would be fabulous with a bright color like royal blue on the legs and apron, and a nice darkish stain on top.

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  53. How lovely to get the table you want at last. We too have a large table ..... IKEA 12 years ago, and when we moved, we marked out with masking tape on the floor to see what size table would be good in the space...... of course we chose the biggest - and of course it was too big!! Eventually had 9 inches cut off the width and it was perfect then. Now, after 12 years wear and tear, we want to update, and as this is a small room we don't want it dark. In the UK we can't get Miss Mustard Seed but I like her stuff. The White Wax sounds good, and perhaps a pop of colour for your (table) legs. I think I am going for scarlet for the legs on our table...... PS That anonymous poster who does not like your decor? Doesn't have to read your blog either, eh?!!!

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  54. I adore that table, Sarah. In fact, we had a very similar one years ago, but it was from the 50's. Someone had tried to whitewash it and painted giant vines across it. I loved the style so much that I bought it and spent many hours stripping the darn thing. (And the matching chairs- what a pain!) Anyway, I was wondering if the leaf has the pretty apron as well. Ours didn't have the apron and always looked kinda' funky when I put it in the table.

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  55. We purchased a unfinished table years ago (and I'm talking 30 yrs), and I put about 6 coats of tung oil on the top. It darkened the top a smidge, but I swear it looks the same. My son and his family is using it now.

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  56. Me again of the 30 yr old table.. $725 or whatever the price was is a VERY reasonable price for a table. I know, I've been looking for one myself.

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  57. I agree with the person who thinks a clear wax for protection is a good choice. The raw wood is so beautiful! I love the room!

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  58. What a sleek finish!The simple design offers great potential to try different table place mats.
    - Patrick Tan

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  59. Hi Sarah, Love your table!!! I'm currently looking for one and dimensions are very important. Wayfair says your tables dimensions are 40"h x 78"long x 60" wide. That doesn't sound right! Your table doesn't look taller than counter height! It also says it weighs 38lbs. Unless it's made of balsa wood, that can't possibly be correct. Would you mind sharing the actual dimensions?

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