My Muuto 70/70 table – modern Scandinavian design dining table

When I revealed my kitchen makeover, I didn’t say much about my dining table, the focus was much more on the transformation of the space and the design of the kitchen units. But, the table is so beautiful and I’m so pleased with it, I thought it deserved a post of its own. Now many of you who have read this blog a while or even a little, may well know by now how much I like to stay in my familiar comfort zone of white walls and soft, light – mostly grey – colours. It’s an approach I’ve tried and tested and feel the happiest with – using neutral backdrops and adding interest and texture with furniture, rugs, artwork and plants.

But, with grey kitchen units, light grey walls and painted white floorboards in the kitchen, I wanted something a little different to my usual choice for my dining table. I didn’t want more grey, or something black and heavy, nor something white that would visually fade away into the space. So I went for green! It’s not woah-out-there green but it’s a beautiful, soft, eucalyptus-like green that’s one of my favourite shades (bar grey of course!). I have some little vintage coffee cups in that colour and somehow naturally gravitated towards it after first seeing the table at Stockholm Furniture Fair a few years ago. And here it is now…

The table’s by one of my favourite Scandinavian brands – Muuto, available online to the UK at Houseology. It’s called the 70/70 table and is designed by Stockholm-based design studio TAF Architects. With a plywood top and two thick, cast aluminium legs, it’s a minimal design that has weight and substance. I was immediately drawn by the smooth, tactile form of the square frame legs – the name of the table comes from their dimensions, being 70 x 70 centimetres.

TAF say about the design: ‘The 70/70 table is a study in geometric forms identifying the dimensions for a well-balanced table. It has an almost anonymous expression but with careful detailing. The simple Scandinavian aesthetics balanced with the warmth from the layered wood adds personality to the table.’

Here I’ve paired the table with light wood chairs by Danish brand HAY and a simple IKEA bench. The spindle-back J77 chairs, designed by Folke Pålsson, are timeless, design classics that are both lightweight and elegant. They pick up on the wood of the table and I think soften the whole look with their neutral shade. I’ve added a little String shelf above the table for coffee cups and books, and left the walls bare for now.

The linoleum/laminate top is practical and super easy to clean, while still being able to see the beautiful detail of the layered wood at the edges.

For me, the green really started to make sense once I added a few plants to the space. It really came alive with a few succulents on the table and big bunches of fragrant greenery in the same muted shades. I love how the colour compliments the grey of the kitchen and walls without clashing or fighting for attention. The colour palette is soft and neutral but not dull or boring – the green lifts and lightens the space, adding just a hint of colour.

Our table is the small size and fits perfectly into the nook in our kitchen – we can comfortably fit six people around it, perhaps eight at a squeeze. In our previous home we had a small, round table in the living room that was just right for two people. Now, we can have friends and family over, gather them all around the dining table and enjoy cooking and eating together.

The table could also work as a desk with plenty of workspace to spread out on in a bigger space. In fact, on Fridays when I work from home, I most often bring my laptop to the dining table instead of the desk in the spare bedroom upstairs, because it’s such a lovely space to spend time in. I’ve got the kettle at hand and can make a big pot of coffee, light pours in from the kitchen window and I can play music from the speaker in the connected living room next door.

I’m so pleased I stepped a little out of my comfort zone and went for a green table. I don’t think it’s a colour you can get tired of easily, it’s not like having something bright purple or yellow – it’s a very calming, natural shade. Most of all, it’s what a dining table symbolises and means to us – in our new, opened up kitchen/living space, it’s a multifunctional piece of furniture that sits at the heart of the home. It’s not just a functional design, but a place where we can connect and socialise. Somewhere which isn’t necessarily formally set out for dinner and only used for dining but a surface with our favourite cookbooks spread out on, to be used as an extra surface when we’re cooking, to work from, read from and enjoy everyday.

The table also comes in black, grey and white and is available in three different sizes. You can shop the table on Houseology here.

All images Cate St Hill. Disclosure: I received a press discount off the table from Houseology