I went to a couple of local stores today, just randomly chosen because they looked like they would carry formal dining furniture (Walter E. Smithe, Thomasville, and Drexel Heritage). As I expected no one had oak (except for mission which stylistically will not go with my china cabinet). So I looked for woods that were the right reddish brown color, which turned out to be, for the most part, mahogany. What I saw in all of these stores seemed to be really nice quality but I did experience sticker shock. (More from the price of the chairs than the tables: is $300 and up per chair normal? ArghÂ) I realize I havenÂt shopped for much furniture; when our kids were small utility ruled, and most of my good pieces are family antiques that I refinished myself. Subtracting the styles that wouldnÂt go and ones with distressing (I donÂt like distressing, at least not on a formal dining table), that left really only 2 tables found in 4 stores, one by Henredon and one by Thomasville. All of the stores said they had few styles on display but could order anything from the manufacturer. However ordering was what I didnÂt want to do, since I want to see the wood and workmanship close up. If I have to order anyway I might as well do it online. I have read about people on these forums ordering online but I have been concerned about getting something that is not the quality I am imagining. Are there any brands or vendors in particular I should look for, so I will not be disappointed? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Also got BergerPads in May of 2010, dont remember which of these we got but guessing for a $500 dining 4seat dining set, we went with just the good (especially since I'd only wanted black anyway). Its textured, really like it. We have a new table we'll still get 2nd quote on but will only consider if its significantly lower then the Berger ones for our current table. MAY 2010 For a square cornered table pad 54” x 54” Pricing are as follows: Best – Any Color / Any Bottom – Unconditional Lifetime Warranty $291.60 Better – Any Solid Color / Brown Cotton Bottom Only – 15 Year Warranty $233.28 Good – Black Solid Only / Brown Cotton Only – 5 Year Warranty $174.96 (Prices include $.01 per square inch for the magnets) We Guarantee to meet or beat any reasonable price offer!

its your dining table's fault. standard height is about 30", and yes you sink in some upholstered chairs depending how they are constructed. even though a 'normal' difference is 12" (which would mean a 19" chair for your table), if your bum (and therefore spine) are sinking below the wood frame you are getting less than the measured height. i'd rethink the felt sliders on the table, or else find straight chairs that can be custom made an inch taller. it doesnt matter what the ruler says... you know if you have that sinking feeling..... (we went through this.... fortunately we bought our chairs and table from the same store and werent able to try the sample chairs with our table. turned out the table was higher than all of their other tables. they remade the custom chairs an inch taller and i've been able to eat at the table without feeling like i'm 9.)

I agree with jinx. Also search for "drop leaf dining table" -- with this you can put against the sofa like in jinx's examples and then expand when needed. Above one is target: https://www.target.com/p/driness-drop-leaf-dining-table-dark-tobacco-holly-38-martin/-/A-53014524 here's one on houzz https://www.houzz.com/products/driness-drop-leaf-console-to-dining-table-oak-with-black-prvw-vr~120674405?m_refid=PLA_HZ_120674405_17540098681&device=c&nw=x&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhO-C7rzo_QIVpYJbCh1wSgXvEAQYBiABEgK2P_D_BwE