I have been having same problem with a table for my eat in kitchen, and I don't have a dining room, so the kitchen is it. After the cabinets and countertop, the remaining "floor space" is about 9.5' x 12'. I have a 42 x 60" table in there now, and it is a little wide, but there is enough room that in a dining room the same size, I could fit a shallow server without too much problem as long I didn't plan to add the 2 leaves to it. One leaf would be very tight but might be doable. However, because it is a kitchen, not a dining room, and I want more room to walk around while I work in the kitchen than I would need in a dining room, I want to go even smaller. In my case, there is a door from the garage leading into the kitchen and I also don't want the table to obstruct traffic flow. This is what I found in researching my options, which are even more restrictive than yours: Some manufacturers (like Nichols and Stone) make a 38 X 60" table that might be more comfortable in that room. You might even consider an oval, which is what I am considering for a kitchen table, to help that bumping into the corners thing, also. If I could find a 38" round with a couple of 18" leaves, I could have the best of both worlds. It would give me the narrower width, I could keep one leaf in it to make to a small oval, have no corners to bump into, and another leaf to extend the table only when I need it. With the price of nice sets like N&S and Canadel, I am wondering if I could have one custom made by a local creaftsman. Anyway, I would not try to put a server in it, too. If hubby is handy or you could hire someone, you could get a built in hutch or something. That might make a serving area more comfortably "doable". If you really are set on getting a server, I would go with the smallest round you can find and a shallow server at the long end of the room, or a rectangular table like you describe but know you will not comfortably be able to use the leaves. JMHO Sue

Thanks for all the responses, he has me reassured a bit now, which is nothing new, we've gone back and forth so much lately. We went out of town with my family for several days to see my son on leave from the Marine Corps. Oorah! I was nervous about having some incident in front of my parents/son, but we had a really nice time and drove 6 hours home just he and I, talking about "us" all the way. We talked about the possibility that his unhappiness might be more due to his thinking, than me. I asked him about the possibility he could be having sugar/health (he drinks way too much Dr. Peppers) issues or even a mid-life crises of sorts. He said it was possible, he said again he really does love me. We talked about pressure at work. He's torn to either move on for more money or stay with his boss of 26 years who helped get him here. I let him know it was okay with me if he wanted to stay where he's at (which I think he wants) I also told him I trust him, and if he wants to move on, I understand it's risky and things could go bad fast at a younger newer company. We we're able to discuss these subjects and more fairly calmly, very unusual for us. I would say he was alot less defensive. Maybe I was extra careful of the way I put things. I noticed often he interupts me with a reply that isn't really applicable to what I was trying to say. I think lots of times he gets so defensive because he thinks I'm attacking him, he reads things in to what I'm saying. This time I didn't respond to what he said and then repeated what I said. It seemed to help, and we stayed on subject better. He said one thing he's never said before, he said maybe he's just immature, and when he gets mad he can't stop himself from saying the very thing I asked him not to say anymore. I wasn't a total wimp with him either, I made it clear something had to give, because he was convincing me he didn't love me. It can't be drugs because his job requires regular testing, when I said mostly on wknds I might have thrown yall off. I meant it seems like when he's confronted with the idea of spending the day with me ie: mostly wknds. Although I don't see him in the morning during the week. And throwing around the D word, I would say is not new, but gradually became more and more often until now every disagreement turns into something huge and ends with it. Being so emotional is new, reacting over the top is not new either but him seeming to be out of control is new. I do agree it's emotional abuse and have been doing some reading. Part of the long drive we talked about what emotional abuse was, he almost got mad but then seemed to understand and acted ashamed. I told him he was forcing me to prepare for my future if we divorce. He adamantly claimed he didn't really mean it, doesn't want that. I really think maybe he's just hurting too. Here's some background I know is pertinent. He's 48, I'm 49. Both of his parents were alcoholics, his mother drank a fifth a day. His father drank everyday but worked as a welder, changed jobs often, he was a little guy, infamous for being hard to get along with. He was very domineering over his wife too, she could be extremely violent when she drank, she died when she was 54. His father moved in with us when he got cancer of the larnx, we cared for him 8 mos until he died 7 yrs ago. It's all so sad.... and obviously left scars on my husband. He doesn't drink at all, never has. There's more that's probably pertinent. He was previously married for 14 years, had a son, and says thought they were happy. They had a nice home. He says he kissed her good-bye one morning to go on a wknd fishing trip and when he returned he called the police to report he had been robbed by the "moving-company burglers" he'd been seeing on the news. The cop told him to check his closet. His clothes was all she left.... She moved in with her boyfriend who she's married to now. We married 5 years later, it's been 12 now. Lol I read what I've wrote and wonder "What the #@% was I thinking!" I'm kidding sorta...... I have my share of baggage and issues too, I'm just tired of typing now.... how convenient right? Although I think these things should'nt be and don't have to be, a part of him/us, they are.

Considering that your table is extra heavy and not likely to be moved, I would offer this to think about: Depending upon the type of leg on your table, keep in mind if you do not move the table off the rug occasionally, you run the risk of moth infestation under the legs. The worst damage I see from my customer's rugs are in areas just like you are describing, where heavy furniture is rarely moved. conanc: you might find the link below helpful. I put together a diagram on how to choose a DR rug. I think you have chosen the most popular size. amy: I'd love to hear more about your Flor tiles...especially in use under a DR table with chairs scooting back and forth. I am wondering with the number of 'seams' where the tiles butt up to another if those are showing signs of wear? Here is a link that might be useful: how to choose a DR rug

I have a PB 'Franklin' rug that I bought several years ago in a bedroom. I have had no issues with it at all. I suspect that the Eva is the same, a tufted wool rug. You can read about them on the PB web site, where the Eva is $999 for an 8 x 10. The eBay seller takes returns, but you'd have to pay for return shipping. They have 100% positive feedback, with 408 commenters. From PB on their Eva rug - "We are proud to offer our artisan-made rugs – each is hand tufted and washed for heft, beautiful luster and subtle color. Blooms of an ancient Mughal motif are surrounded by a wide palmette border and slim guard bands. Our rug is hand tufted in the ancient tradition of durable Heriz carpets. Rendered in jewel tones on a warm ivory ground. Handcrafted of pure, yarn-dyed wool by artisan rug makers. Luster washed for rich, mellow color and a silky feel. Sheared pile is velvety to the touch. Self bound for quality that endures. Use with our Rug Pad (sold separately). Rug swatches, below, are available for $25 each. We will provide a merchandise refund for rug swatches if they're returned within 30 days. Watch a video about the entire process of crafting our handmade rugs. Imported."