Since first stepping inside our East Texas lake house, I’ve continually noticed how we use the space much differently from our primary Austin home. The lake house is set away from it all— a huge reason why we love it—but good dine-in and takeout options are few and far between. Not only is our dining table where we congregate for all three meals, but it’s become a makeshift workspace and a natural gathering spot for games and conversation into the wee hours of the night.
I was initially drawn to Jenni Kayne’s 8-foot rustic white oak dining table and bench set for its handmade, timeless aesthetic, but its functionality is what really serves our family. It’s surreal to imagine the big moments this table will hold over the decades and, more importantly, all of the people we’ll be lucky enough to host around it.
Use code IDCO15 for 15% off your Jenni Kayne purchase
All Photography: Madeline Harper
Lake House Dining Room Reveal
As plans for our lake house dining area began to take shape, I knew a few table features would be non-negotiables. We needed a table that was (1) large enough to host a crowd, (2) designed that fit our ‘elevated camp’ aesthetic, and (3) made of natural, durable wood built to last the long haul. Ultimately, the Jenni Kayne 96” Oak Dining Table + the 84” Benches, all handmade in Los Angeles, was an easy choice to make. The design is super minimal, which works perfectly in our open-concept space. Plus, the table’s seamless straight lines allow the eye to head directly towards the lake. The 96” size also works really well for our extended family and can easily fit a group of ten with chairs on the ends. This table has proven to be the absolute center of our home, and the bench seating allows us to always fit one more.
Use code IDCO15 for 15% off your Jenni Kayne purchase
“This table has proven to be the absolute center of our home.”
Dining Table Care Tips
After sharing countless meals around this table, I’ve picked up a few helpful tips to keep it looking its absolute best. After dinner, I just give it a quick wipe down with a damp microfiber cloth. I like using microfiber because it’s super gentle on the natural white oak and doesn’t soak it with too much water at once. I also use our handheld Shark vacuum on a twice-weekly basis to grab any crumbs from the grooves of the table and benches.
Another key step I took to protect our table was to wipe it with some coconut oil on a microfiber cloth. This keeps any water stains from setting in, preserves the pretty tone of the oak, and generally makes it less fussy to maintain day-to-day.
The Finishing Touches
More to Read: Why We Chose Flooret LVP for the Lake House
Shop the Dining Room
Dining Table: Jenni Kayne 96″ Oak Dining Table (code IDCO15 to save 15%)
Bench Seating: Jenni Kayne 84″ Oak Dining Benches (code IDCO15 to save 15%)
Rug: Vintage via Revival Rugs (similar)
Artwork: Revival by Aileen Fitzgerald
Planter: Allen + Roth via Lowes
Wall Paint: “Greek Villa” by Sherwin-Williams
Door Hardware: Emtek Quincy in Flat Black Finish
HVAC Vent Covers: Stella Air
Floors: Palka Signature by Flooret (code IDCO33 for 33% off samples)
Thanks for coming along on our dining room reveal, and keep an eye out for more lake house content in the weeks ahead! In the meantime, have a look at these posts:
BY: ANASTASIA CASEY
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