I am not poor, but I have been poor. I also always liked beautiful things. With the exception of sofas, I ALWAYS have accepted with great pleasure hand-me-downs of very good quality or Craigs list kinds of things--acquaint yourself with the best names in furniture in the last 50 years, and look for those names when you are on Ebay or CL. Think of Downtown Abbey: Do you think these aristocrats bought new furniture? No--they used their Oriental rugs until you could read through them--so if it is good enough for European aristocrats, it's good enough for me. Never buy junk. And when you buy a good sofa, it can last for decades with just re-upholstery every 20 years or so. Really. I'm sitting in my family room. The only thing bought new (many (about 30) years ago) are two upholstered chairs and a sofa, both Henredon, reupholstered several times. Big Baker chair re-upholstered, from Ebay. Clarence House Chintz for about $13 a yard, from an online discount company. Round Hepplewhite leather topped table thrown out by my mother-in-law because it had a cracked leg. My carpenter fixed it. French armless chair, thrown out by my sister-in-law, reupholstered. Black and gilt coffee table, bought on Craigs List. Oriental rug--big, beautiful--bought on Ebay, cheap. I don't mean my taste need be your taste, but you'll find beautiful things that others don't need. Pretend you are inheriting things from your rich family. Put things together little by little as you acquire them and it will create a very organic, interesting room. I second what Tibbrix said above: Let the children eat in the kitchen or dining room. Let them learn to respect your things.

What is your definition of "decent price"? Also faux leather or bi-cast leather is different than real leather. Overstock has quite a few bicast or leatherette chairs. They have good shipping and the reviews are helpful. These would be your discount price chairs since they're often in sets of two. http://www.overstock.com/parson-leather-chair,/k,/results.html?sort=Avg.%20Customer%20Review&searchtype=Header My daughter purchased from Arhaus before, I think she got the Capris side chair. The Aiden chair is another to look at. Arhaus doesn't have anything specifically called Parsons chair - just side chair. http://www.arhaus.com/furniture/dining-room-furniture/dining-room-chairs/ Another source that I've heard highly mentioned on multiple decorating sites is Carrington Court Direct. But these will be all leather and likely last a much longer time. http://www.carringtoncourtdirect.com/index.cfm

As hubby, tongue-in-cheek, likes to say about me, "there's nothing too good or too cheap for her". It really depends on the WHAT! Before we spend on a product, service or an experience, we like to consider what will we gain by making the spending decision. We like to be well-informed consumers (especially when something is a large amount of money) and will choose from both categories - old and new. I wonder if this is a right-brain / left-brain question ;?) I'm more of a logical thinker than emotional, so that accounts for many of my choices. I couldn't care less if someone sees me in a $2 (on sale) white T-shirt from Wal-Mart worn for working out (I even have some I bought for $1 at Wal-Mart). A $300 work-out outfit doesn't make me sweat any less or perform any better. While I'll spend a LOT for SmartWool athletic socks which feel better and out-wear cheap cotton socks any day, and I buy quality shoes for working out, and for everyday use. We had a lovely antique bedroom suite, but we got tired of the upkeep, drawers that stick, and the size of it, so we donated it to a Hospice auction. Replaced it with minimalist furniture we purchased from Aldi at a fraction of the price they were selling the same stuff for at the expensive furniture store down the street. -Grainlady

Thanks! I ended up ordering this one by Stanley from furnitureland south. Belfort had it for $1900 and it was under $800 at furnitureland. http://www.furniturelandsouth.com/shop-furniture/stanley-portfolio-barrel-queen-sleigh-bed-128-13-52 But I'm super appreciative of this website! I need quite a few more pieces--coffee table, sofa, chairs--and I will see what I can find on here. :)