Sweetbean I just went through this in our small 11'x11' DR that was largely over furnished with a lot of "this n that" - part of our entire home reno was out with it ALL! Yea DR set, 2 sideboards - one that matched the set, on that was a beast & did not - a PIANO , a beautiful built in I searched, searched , searched - DON"T give up - You will find a table/chairs I scoured all ads, and Craigslist - what I found were LOTS of DR Sets - I'm close to NYC and found people giving high quality sets away - I think people are moving away from formal DRs blowing kitchens into DRs So my advice is don't settle - live without and enjoy the hunt I did. I found a Duncan Phyfe Mahogany set which is really what I wanted - our house dutch col 1930 so it suited the home as well as the small scale of our DR - it was dirty, dirty dirty - I'm still working on cleaning waxing -It is really well made & found incredible fabrics on ebay that were really reasonable - so they will get a big face lift. The owners were asking $2,200 for the set - DR table, 4 side chairs, 2 arms - mirror ,sideboard, and tall china cab I didn't want the china cab (we have lovely built in) got them to $1300 Dh thought i was crazy - wait til he sees it in DR Here is a pic in the prior owners DR In my almost completed DR chair w/proposed fabric sitting on it Guess I wanted to inspire you - I know the furnishings aren't your choice but to illustrate they are out there - get on a mission Link to craigslist good luck eileen Here is a link that might be useful: Craigslist

Fabulous!! I found definite contenders at Ferguson Copeland, Nordicstyle and Real Gustavian! I've emailed for more details. Thank you kitchendetective and goutgrec!! And, simpletaste - I have exactly that issue of House Beautiful - that's how this whole quest got started! Thanks so much:)

You guys are killing me here..... So many times beautiful items are brought to my attention . I say to myself "I want one of those. Yes~ a dough bowl~ that's what I need" It's quit primitive for texanniew but does any one else like it ? 30x14.. Please help me with my shopping addiction ! If it's still there on Tuesday I don't know if I will be able to control myself.... Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.carrieannesgifts.com/store.php?crn=290&rn=785&action=show_detail

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.)