Well, you found what some suspected, that it wasn't an extremely "good" set. Now, Costco/Sam's Club furniture can be just what the doctor ordered and many people are quite pleased with their purchases. I have a tv armoire in my bedroom that was an 'assemble it yourself' piece from Sauder I bought ten years ago for like $99 new. It has worked fine for us for many years. But right now, I would love to find a good solid wood piece that will stand the test of time and fit my style better. For that, I must do used, like CL or estate sale or garage sale. The great thing about going to check on something like that (overpriced!) bedroom suite, is, that it gives you a better feel for the next one you find. It helps you know what questions to ask and to price things out in your head better. I rarely feel a trip was not worthwhile, even when it's a No-Buy. Usually, if I spend the time to travel across town for craigslist stuff, I only feel cheated if the seller badly misrepresented or if I didn't ask enough questions first. And sometimes, I do ask, "So do you remember where you bought the armoire?" or "how long have you had this piece?" If someone tells me Costco or JCPenney, I know it's probably not just what I thought from the photo. If they just bought it, then, why are they selling it? I hope your next set is the real deal. And while you do NOT want to haggle down the price on the phone, it's still ok to just ask, "Before I come see, is your price real firm?" or "I do want to see it, are you negotiable at all on the price?" Don't make an offer, just feel them out. Red

Congratulations on your beautiful new table. Well done. My dining room is 12 x 13.5. I have a Baker double pedestal table similar to yours that is 46" x 88" with both leaves in. It has another one somewhere around here. Anyway in addition to the table there are 6 chairs around it and on one wall a 26" deep at the deepest point bowfront sideboard with one chair on each side of it. It's a little tight but works fine. I think it will fit in your room just fine especially since you don't plan to have a sideboard with it in the same space. If you are concerned about the chairs you could do the taller upholstered chairs at each end and then smaller wood chairs on the sides. I think it looks best with six chairs and storing the other two for larger dinner parties somewhere else. Have fun!

Thank you for all the thoughts and opinions. I don't know if this additional info/pic will help clarify anything for anyone, but here goes anyway. This picture gives you a better idea of the true colors in the current rug. It's not quite that bright IRL, but I am never able to capture IRL photos with my camera. For example, the table you see just a bit of in the pic is much more red, not orange at all. And here is a link to the same CL rug from the Macy's site. If you look at it there, you can scroll over it to take a closer look. I will also add that I have considered going in a completely different direction, as bestyears suggested. I have even thought about simply having a piece of broadloom bound and getting exactly the dimensions I need in that room. I still do have a concern about the larger size of the CL rug compared to the current rug. No one has commented on whether or not they feel the CL rug at 8'8" X 12' would be too large. I think the direction I'm going with this whole make-over, is to find a rug that works with the sofa because that is DEFINITELY staying. Then, after I have a rug, I'll figure out the chairs. Does that seem like a logical way to approach the "make-over"? Here is a link that might be useful: Karastan rug at Macy's

Glad you are going. My dropleaf DP table is the one that fell apart-- this time we got one similar to yours and it is very sturdy. Ours has some scratches and places where people put down hot things w/o a pad (from the previous owners), but it makes me feel better because it is not so precious. My cats always get some scratch marks on furniture, so this way I don't feel bad about it when I use just a runner and they put more on . . . You can EASILY change the upholstery on the chairs yourself, which will give it a beautiful, fresh look. The wood on your set is really pretty.