Not all all weird to mix -- it would look great! I've seen it done a number of times (and if I could remember WHERE, I'd post for you.)

I've got to get an updated pic. This is from when we first moved in.

It is not unusual at all to mix and match your chairs and what you are suggesting is far from radical.

Your first house, how exciting! I think that table would look great with Parsons chairs at either end. Perhaps you can get some in a plain cream, that you can buy slipcovers for, to change out as needed. If you can sew, you can make coordinating covers for the other chairs as well. You'll have to show us pics of your new place once you're moved in. Enjoy!
Lynn

I think if it were me, JMHO, having had Parson's chairs and the others, I would use the parson's chairs along the sides of the table and use "real" chairs at the heads of the table. The Parson's chairs are slimmer and give the people along the sides of the table more flexibility whereas the "Real" chairs can make it "tight" along the sides of the table if you have men who like "sort of sprawling" in their chairs or anyone overweight. I am just speaking from experience and I have no dog in this fight except that we play cards at a home where there are all parson's chairs and my husband hates sitting in them. He wishes there was a "real chair" (his words, not mine) at the heads of the table for him and the other male (host).

mjlb: Thanks for letting me know it wouldn't look weird!

lynninnewmexico: I was thinking of just getting the chairs and then slipcovering them. I do sew, though mostly just costumes and stuff, so I would probably have to work on with muslin or other cheap fabric before I attempted to make nice ones (there are quite a few I've found online that are decent that would do until I decided what to do.

patricia43: Thanks for the advice! I hadn't thought about that. I myself am a "big" girl and my husband's 6'2", so what you suggested isn't something I had thought about. I've been thinking about maybe getting 4 Parsons chairs to be able to change them out with other chairs for comfort -- or at least having extra on hand just in case (you can never have too much seating, right?). Thanks again!!

Eep! Sorry Parma, didn't mean to pass you up. Thanks for the pics of your room to give me ideas of mixing chairs! And I thought it would be okay, but I just wanted to get some other opinions. Thanks! ^_^

How exciting for you to be closing on your first home, and what a nice time of year too. Best Wishes to you and DH.. I agree w/the others, as you can see from my pic..that it's perfectly fine to mix chairs. I've always done it even with All wood chairs. Now as far as the Parson chairs...as you can see from my pic...I've got two types at the table. Two different ones, at the head, from the ones that are side chairs. Also, I've got the wood one, on the back wall. It all works fine. Funny you are looking to buy Parson chairs, as I'm selling my table & chairs!!

Here's an idea for you to toss around. Have you ever thought of a secondhand dining room set? I go on to Craig's List every night and I can't begin to tell you how many people around NW IN are getting rid of dining rm. furn. at very reasonable prices. Depending on where you live there seems to be CL all over the country, just Google Craig's List and then do your state, then city and you should have no problem finding one to your liking and you don't need it tomorrow. Any problems, just ask here.

Congratulations on your new home...I have 3 different types
of chairs in my dining room and two different kinds in my kitchen... I just want to say -- don't rush to get the chairs just because your having Thanksgiving...Take your time looking for the perfect chairs and table too...You're going to be living with them for a long time.
Good luck,
Joann

slinkey, I love your dining room and I just have to know what you are thinking of replacing your dining set with. How can it get any better?

I was going to say just what Joanne said.
You will have been in the house 2 months when it's time to cook the turkey...you can buy or rent an 8 foot folding table, and rent or borrow folding chairs.
Don't rush into buying a table before you live in the house at least a month. Your views and feelings change as you live in a house.
Linda C

Slinkey: You're the one I saw recently with the wood table and Parson's chairs! I love your set. But I think you're pretty far from TX, aren't you?? ^_^

Susan209: I got on Craigslist all the time! And I would totally consider getting a second-hand one. Biggest issue is having the cash for one (where at a store I could pay for it in installments). But, I keep my eyes peeled. Although, just yesterday I found someone selling 6 Parson's chairs (with decent slipcovers) for $50 each. So, things are out there.

Joann and Linda: Thank you for the wise advice. You're right about taking my time. My husband has already suggested getting one of those folding tables anyway, and with 9-10 adults and 7 kids (ranging from 1 yr to 18) slated for Thanksgiving, they wouldn't all fit at a formal table that would fit in that space anyway.

And, of course, another issue is money. I'd rather save for something nice than put something on credit (and then have something happen where we couldn't pay off, ya know?).

That's why I love coming here and reading everyone's points of view -- many, many years of experience.

Thanks again! You've given me much to think about (and I really do think that maybe the rented/folding table and chairs may be a better solution for Thanksgiving, and I won't feel so frazzled to get a house in order and new furniture in and can focus on what matters most -- family!).

*hugs to all* ^_^

nonchalant..yes, I guess CT is somewhat far from Tx..LOL
too bad, b/c I will be selling the table & chairs for less than the cost of the just the table!! But as others have said, take your time to make sure you get just the RIGHT set that works for you. You will feel less pressured w/time & money.

caminnc.. I will be replacing the table and chairs w/my mothers', which is in storage right now. It has great sentimental value to me.

I really like the idea of using two different chairs for the head of the table, and parsons chairs would work nicely with the set that you posted.

As one who has bought and sold some great quality furniture on Craigs List (and who also has spent too much money on brand new furniture) I also recommend buying second hand if you can find something you like and can save up the cash for it. I sold my reproduction antique farm table and 6 ladderback chairs (that I bought separately on CL) on CL for $500 just because our formal dining room is temporarily being used as an office/play room and I didn't have space to store it. It sold to the first person who called but I should have priced it higher because I had people offering to pay much more for it right after. Oh well!