Well, I see that pretty piece of furniture in your DR as more Mediterranean or Spanish and I think of Depression era Early American when I see the press-back chairs. It is possible, if you would, if you could, paint the chairs. Yikes. Did I say that? Add some cushions to them in a European or Mid European sort of fabric, maybe an Ikat or something like that to give them a more international flare and use the chairs, but right now, I have a thumb down but having said that, I have a mediterranean table in storage and (my kids broke 2 of the chairs in their youth) and I have not been able to find (not only no matching chairs) but no decent chairs that I could use with it if I wanted to, so maybe if you get those chairs, paint them to some color that would speak Mediterranean and upholser some really nice seats for them (tie the fabric seats onto the chair), it could and would work.

Although pressed back chairs were all the rage in Victorian times, these chairs are not in the Victorian style. The angle of the legs is wrong. The way the backs are attached is not right for a Victorian pressed back.

The chairs in this set are a hybrid of two styles that was created, and very popular in the Eighties. It is for an open kitchen concept dining room. This set is not formal and it is singing the Eighties.

But that does not mean it is not a good deal for the price. It looks sturdy and in good condition. Is this large table going to fit in your small-ish dining room? It looks rather on the huge and bulky size. It does not look elegant like the one you have now and is certainly not unique in appearance. The table you have now is interesting looking.

I would not get this one. Do not rush into another table without seeing whats all out there. There will be many more like this on CL.

Thanks for the quick response, Patricia. :)

The Armoire was made in a carving school on the French-Italian border a little over 100 years ago. The busts on the front bear both French and Italian looking noses, which I find a bit amusing, and indicative that men of both countries most likely worked on it. The armoire is oak, and so are the dining table and chairs in the ad.

The sofa, chair, fainting couch, hall tree, and lawyer's cabinet are all early American. I've dated the FC at about 1915.

One nice thing about DR chairs if they're comfy, you can always slipcover them, yes?

My current table is gorgeous heavy grained oak and I love it, but it has no leaves. It seats four, and that's all. I would love a round table with leaves. I don't know what sizes the one pictured will go but I did write and ask. I'm wondering if it's a bit shiny-new looking compared to the rest of the things in my DR/LR, but I guess a tablecloth is always another answer.

I never even thought of looking for a Mediteranian table. What does one even look like?

Dilly -- thanks. I didn't think about that about the legs not being like the real antiques, but by golly I think you're right. Gosh you have a good eye!

The table I have now is antique. Thing is, the top and the bottom weren't made to go together; they were orphans and were paired by an antique dealer. So I don't feel tooooo bad about letting them go... but I do like them. I was looking for chairs. But most of the chairs come with tables.

"I never even thought of looking for a Mediteranian table. What does one even look like?"

Try looking for an *Egyptian Revival Victorian style*. There was a lot of Egyptian influence in Victorian decor due to the discovery of some of the pyramids during that time. I can't remember the name of them off hand and everything "Egyptian Pyramid" in Google I try keeps coming up with the recent discovery two months ago of the Queen Sesheshet pyramid.

The Egyptian influence gave Victorians this sort of thing for their living rooms:

{{!gwi}}

There were Egyptian influences in Victorian furniture and it later revived again during the 1920's with the the King Tut discovery.

You can find something rather Arabesque that blend with both your Victorian LR and the Mediterranean chest. The Victorians decorated in a hodge-podge eclectic fashion.

That is interesting about the table being cobbled together by a dealer from two pieces. That is a very Victorian approach to decorating.

Early American style chair legs:

Classic Victorian pressed back chair:

{{!gwi}}

'80s Hybrid of the two.

{{!gwi}}

Dilly, thanks for the pictures to illustrate your points.

The reasons I'm thinking about this set...

- My table has no leaves and only seats 4 (look at leg configuration). I would love to be able to extend a table for making my GG windows, or cutting out sewing projects or seating several guests.

- This set is oak, and so are my other pieces.

- Among all my other real antiques I don't know if this might not just blend in, to the uneducated eye. (I'd know more after seeing it, I think.)

- I know what beautiful antiques and quality furniture are and would *love* to have them. But on my tiny fixed retirement income ($730/month) I have to dip into savings to get anything and I need to be very careful about that.

But if y'all think this will drag my room down, I guess I need to keep looking?

Would I be better off with something like this?

Here is a link that might be useful: Dining table and chairs

Yessssss to the second one.

Hurry!

I dashed off that response quickly but should add that it's only a good buy if you have the space for it. I do think the style is classic and elegant and would blend in well with your other pieces. I also think you'd enjoy re doing the upholstrery to something you would like, as long as the chairs are solid.

Good Luck

I agree with jjam. I see that second set working much better in your home with antiques. With antiques and CL if you know what you are looking for and willing to do a little work, you can find a good deal. Tables are fairly easy to come by, it's finding enough chairs that can be a problem. Many antique dining sets do not come with arm chairs so one way to round out a set is to get two upholstered arm chairs in a different style.

Ok, thanks Jjam. I just wrote them to ask if it's still available. Covering the chairs is easy, and I saw a fabric yesterday that I want at 50% off.

That's one more thing about my current chairs -- I wouldn't call them "solid." "Slightly maybe scary" might be more like it.

Thanks, Val. I hate my armcharis because they go clank on the table when you try to scoot in. I hope this set isn't gone already, but it may be at that price. If it is, at least I know more what to look for, so that is helpful.

The second set is beautiful!

The second table is fabulous. The curved corners make it very unique. It does look like the chairs are not original to the table, but they fit the style, and it is a good price for the set. This would look great in your DR. I'm hopeing it comes through for you.

The second table is fabulous. The curved corners make it very unique. It does look like the chairs are not original to the table, but they fit the style, and it is a good price for the set. This would look great in your DR. I'm hopeing it comes through for you.