Here is mine. It's a classic Queen Anne style table and chairs in solid cherry.

What's nice about a classic style is that you can easily add pieces later, as budget allows. We initially bought the table and 4 chairs. A few years later, we bought 4 more chairs. Then the sideboard (which is neither Queen Anne nor cherry). Then the corner china (not Queen Anne). But as long as the styles are sympathetic, and the colors complementary, it all seems to go together.

beautiful!

We aquired this set during a whole house reno completed 12/06
-1930's Duncan Phyfe Mahogany 6 chairs (2 armed)- has 1 leaf so we could seat 8
-purchased through Craigslist - was also offered w/china hutch but we have built in so didn't need that

- I rehabbed it & this site helped me choose the fabric for chair seats

I like DR sets that "fit" their location
- style/era of home/room/decor
- right size for the room - doesn't under or overwhelm
-comfortable seating

Good luck - I was in the same place and am very pleased

Jejvtr, is that two dining rooms back to back? At first I thought it was a mirror image then I realized the light fixtures were different.

Our dining table is Theodore Alexander and the chairs are Hickory Chair. We didn't want the set to match perfectly, thus the black chairs. We really like the look at the quality of this set; and, it sees daily use. This is my first photo posting, so I'm crossing my fingers that it works.

We bought the table and chairs in 1972 and added the china hutch and buffet later. Those later pieces don't match each other nor are they a match with the tables and chairs. I like that they "go" together but aren't matchy matchy.

Photos of ours are linked from "My Page". Ours is mahogany and with leaves inserted will open to seat 12.

natal that is the breakfast area in kitchen

My dining room set began when I saw a great set of ca1920 shield back chairs at my friends' antique shop hanging from the ceiling in the back room. I figured I would bring it home and see how it looked with my old table, part of a suite I bought when I got married but never really loved (it was a really good deal - such a good deal that I sold it for 90% of what I paid for it 9 years earlier). It looked terrible, but I loved the chairs. Here's a pic of it next to the china cabinet, you can see how awful the match is.

I decided to ditch the table and find something more appropriate and fell in love with banded inlaid tables. I was looking at antiques but eventually found a guy in NJ that had a lot of newish ones, "seconds" that he took and repaired basically (mars in the top, things like that) and got a great deal on a new table. He also does work on old chairs and he gave my old chair frames a good cleaning and polish with a tinted shellac to help them match the table better and sent them out for reupholstering. They came out really really amazing.

And here is a picture with the table I bought from the guy:

Here's a better shot of the table:

The best find, though, was the ca1910 curio that goes great with both (also has inlays). This piece cost more than the table or chairs but was so worth it. I still want to get glass shelves made, install lights and line the back with a lighter fabric but here it is:

It took me a few years to assemble everything but it was so worth it waiting to get the exact pieces I wanted. The room is still not anywhere close to done though.

I am amazed at the beautiful sets I see on our local craigslist. There are many formal tables sold with 6-8 chairs and one or two additional pieces in the $1500-2800 range. If you are open to purchasing used furniture, this is a great time to be looking for a formal DR set!

Here is my dining room-we purchased new recently. The table and chairs are a set, but we purchased the buffet from a different manufacturer.

Oh my, everyone's dining rooms are so lovely. The kitchen forum should read this the next time there is a thread of getting rid of the formal dining room for a larger kitchen....

kgwlisa: Your inlay table and chairs are just beautiful and match your home perfectly.

jejvtr: I've admired your dining room (and kitchen) before. I just adore the little angled built-in china cabinet.

knightster: What an attractive space and unusual chandalier. The designer I was talking to over at Ethan Allan was saying that mix-matched pieces is a very popular look right now; though I do have a white built-in already otherwise I'd be leaning towards the black/wood look myself.

shelfish: I like yours as well and the shape of the chair is a bit unusual--which is nice not to have it look like everyone elses.

monablare: I envy you that big space--you've managed to achieve that balance of not having it too crowded nor too empty.

callaloo: How do you like the cream upholstery? Doesn't it show the stains?

One thing I noticed is that everyone's chairs are all upholstered seat and wood back which is what I also prefer. It seems a trendy look right now to have the backs upholstered as well, but I'm a bit leary of so much fabric with three kids.

Such pretty rooms. Who uses their DR more than just holidays?

My DR is composed of antique walnut pieces. The sideboard was purchased first, table and chairs were purchased at the same time as the vitrine but they are not a set.

The chairs are still wearing the original material and the rug is about 20yrs old. I will be reupholstering/replacing both after the holidays.

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Even if I had a bigger furniture budget, I would not buy a brand new set of dining furniture. There are so many wonderful things out there through the paper and Craigslist, that you wouldn't have to even spend a thousand if you keep looking. My chairs cost me $100 for the set and $125 on the table, a couple of years apart. And I just bought a nice older set with 6 matching chairs off Ebay for $200. Look around, see what's out there that Won't break your budget. You can always trade up later.

Red

Good old Duncan Phyfe provided my table as well, it's 1940's and came with a buffet and china cabinet of the same period, all mahogany. The chairs are 1840 hairy claw chippendale style mahogany. I purchased both sets (the table set and six chairs...four without arms and two with) at a garage sale for $2500 total. The chairs are currently valued over $5000 so I guess I got a deal. Two of the chairs have the original horse hair seats and leather (though they're toast, but they have great value so I have to figure out how to save them).

The chairs are in being restored as is the table top. The nice thing with antiques is that they only appreciate, not depreciate as a new set will, and if you choose a classic style, you'll be able to fill in easily (as you see from some of the above posts). It's not hard to restore them (you can do it or a professional) and they are always beautiful.

I don't have a nice picture of them set up and will probably never have one since our remodel is a disaster. We will be replacing the table, but will stay with the same style (the old one is going in our rental). You can't go wrong with DP tables. In our real home we'll pair the DP with the chippendales again (just a higher quality DP) and in the rental we'll pair it with modern leather side chairs. Both look fabulous.

Bottom view (taken by my two year old)
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There's an arm chair sitting in the middle of the remodel prep mess:
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and the "Top" from the "top view"
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What great taste all of you have. everyone here has beautiful furniture and homes wow!!..I love it all!

allison0704
your china cabinet and buffet table are to die for
Ree

I also have black chairs - with a mahogany finish on the table and buffet. I haven't really done much decorating in this room yet but it's on my list!

This is a great thread! Lots of beautiful dinign rooms!!

My dining room here in AZ:

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At the old house before I received the chair:

I still need a buffet.

shellfish, Would you mind sharing the manufacturer of your table and chairs? I'm swooning. :)

We eat in our dining room....well we did when we lived at our house....almost every night. We don't always set the table as you see above, but we do eat in there, baby and all. (Hence the toys on the floor).

There are some beautiful pieces in these pictures. We're upgrading and fortunately have another place to put our things, so it's nice to see some good ideas. I suppose if I could find a larger china cabinet (but not deeper because my room isn't huge) I'd probably upgrade that. I did make the floor darker and we'll be purchasing a rug. I really think a formal rug is a must for a dining room!

valinsv,

I'm not a huge fan of the cream upholstery, and every time one of my guests seems a little unsteady with the roasted red pepper soup or cranberry sauce, I get nervous. It has stained some, but nothing we haven't been able to deal with thus far.

However, I am about to re-cover the chairs with a kiwi green fabric which I hope will be a little more forgiving; it's got a bit more texture and, well, it's not cream.

This is ours, very simple and clean lined. We don't have a buffet or hutch for it as we couldn't agree on one we liked at the time of purchasing the table:
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It has two leafs but only one is in the table in this pic and we have 8 chairs for it - 6 armless, 2 with arms.
tess

If you want to go thru styles quickly look at Lexington furnitures website or Stanley furniture website,,you can google them. They'll let you see all the different diverse collections then you can pair them down from there.

Here is mine but you can't see the table top is wooden stained because I have a antique oak sideboard that I wanted to blend it with. Sorry, you can see the pedestals either.

Love... all of these dining tables (and dining rooms).

I was checking on craigslist and did see a few possibilities. ALso, checked out some antique furniture listings; however, I know nothing about antiques, other than what I like.

I found this item listed at a local antique showroom--only downside is it has only 4 chairs; however, it is in the style that I am looking for--maghony, classic lines and a pedestal style table. It says it is: "American mahogany Duncan Phyfe style table & 4 shield back chairs" If I were to go this route, what would be the possibility of getting more chairs? Since it doesn't look like it has arm chairs, perhaps I could get them in a different style (or would that be mixing a modern trend with an antique style? Has anyone seen a similar style from new furniture stores they could recommend to me?

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Val
Great find!!! I would say you could fairly readily find more chairs for that lovely set (depending on your location). Looks like the table extends? I would extend the table make sure the leaf is in good condition and put 4 more chairs around to make sure its the fit you are looking for.

In general check out all joints in chairs and table - check for stability, squeaks, gluing

GL

What beautiful furnishings depicted here! Wow!!!

Here's my "keeping it for life" Stickley mission oak dining set.
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jejvtr: The one I posted above lists for $1,400. Then there is this one I found on Craigslist for $2,200 (I could probably make an offer):

It has all 8 chairs plus buffet which I don't need (I put in a white built-in), but I could find a spot for it in my living room or maybe even my foyer. Seller says its from the 1940's.

Here is a link that might be useful: Dining Set on Craigs list

Red - I so agree with you on the old stuff. Other than my upholstered stuff (sofa, etc.) and our bed, I'd rather have old pieces.

We DO use our dining room as we love having family and friends over.

tina

Sarah-
Our dining furniture is FFD&M-I know Boyles carries that brand although we didn't purchase it through Boyles. The buffet/console is Drexel. Thank you for the compliments.

Yes, we use our DR as well-I cook a lot and we will eat in there just so I can get away from the mess of the kitchen and enjoy my meal. Besides, I hate to see it sit empty. We love it.

After perusing this site, and especially this thread, ITA about holding out for a used older dining set from Craigslist or a local resale shop. I would love to browse the antique and resale stores but bringing toddlers with me prohibits shopping around as much as I would like! They are prettty good (esp. with my arsenal of snacks and small toys) but I REALLy like to look around quite a bit before making a commitment. You can get some great things at auction, too, if there are any auction companies operating nearby. I used to work for a small auction gallery in NYC and something I noticed was that the larger dining sets w/ large tables and 8+ chairs would go for a song since nobody in the city had the room for them. I'm talking a set of 8+ gorgeous, near mint condition Chinese Chippendale, freshly upholstered chairs for about $1500. I ended up purchasing them for my in-laws and they were thrilled! French provincial dining sets and armoires were incredibly affordable.

HOWEVER, I, too LOVE shellfish's setup. What struck me the most was the octagonal rug, the round table and the beautiful mirror. A nice change from the traditional shapes and lines! Well done!

Thank you all for sharing.

Val,

I like the Hepplewhite shield back chairs and dining table (a little partial since I own the same era dining chairs with a double pedestal table). It's a nice classic design. I bought my set in the 1980's for $300 (chairs/drop leaf table/small china cabinet). It was 30 years old then and 20 years later it's still an appealing style and holding up great.

Rather than trying to match two additional shield back chairs, why not get two upholstered chairs to place at both ends of the table? I have the arm chairs that match the set, but don't actually find them as attractive as the side chairs. I will eventually replace them with upholstered chairs. Lots of folks on this board have recommended Carrington Court as a great place to order those upholstered chairs.

I would definitely go the antique/vintage route. As someone else mentioned, just be sure the chairs are tight. If they aren't it can be fixed, but does get a little expensive. There is no way you could match the quality to what's on the market now unless you were prepared to spend thousands.

The set you found on craigslist is really nice, especially because it has so many chairs and includes the armchairs, which are very often missing. The built-in leaf is also great, provided everything is sound and solid and operates smoothly. You could have a fantastic setup with plenty of time before Thanksgiving! The only downside that I see is that in your comments on other posters' DRs, you seemed to appreciate unusual angles and arrangements, and this is a pretty standard (tho classic and really lovely) dining set. Actually, now that I say that, I realize that it's only the buffet that looks *too* usual, and you wouldn't be using that in your DR anyway. So why not go for it and make an offer?

As to your question about Oriental rugs, my late grandmother, who had exquisite taste, taught us to think of good rugs as essentially neutral. So the upholstery isn't an issue, as long as it pleases you.

Here's mine. I went with different finishes and black leather for the seat cushions. Sorry, the lighting is not very good right now.

I have a bit more information on the two dining sets I'm considering. As far as style, I really prefer the one at the antique store as I just love the quality of the table and leg design, though I also like the double pedestal. That is my favorite style, only in the new furniture showrooms I don't care for the chairs they were pairing it with; but the sheild back design is just interesting enough without being too ornate for my style and the rest of the house.

It seems the one on Craigslist does not have a matched set of 8 chairs which was the big draw for that set. The owner said 2 chairs have more of a squared back and it sound like there is only one armchair. It's an hour drive to view it so I've not seen it yet.

I did stop by the antique store in San Jose and saw the one I pictured. It's still there and, in fact, is on sale for $1,050 through tomorrow (don't you just *hate* the sales that they say will go away the next day). It's just as lovely as the pic, has 3 leaves so the table can seat more, but alas no arm chairs. :( Ideally I was wanting 8 chairs--though for my dining room that'd be a tight fit. I don't see dining there for a group of under 6 so having 2 more chairs is essential. I would be interested to hear some ideas of types of chairs to pair with this. I'm not sure my DH will go for this--he's rather matchy-matchy and it took some convincing for him even to agree to a white built-in. I did see another table there with 6 chairs, but the quality was less and the veneer had come loose in one spot (and then glued down), plus another spot where it looked like something hot was put on it at one time and the wood was a little warped. Anh, the new world of antiques. I do still feel this is the right direction for me. My mom has promised to pass along a family "heirloom" (so to speak) which belonged to her mother--a mahogany secretary--and I now realize it would tie in beautifully.

So here are the pics of the table at the antique store:

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The one with 6 chairs and "warped" table:
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And here is one on eBay (probably not a good idea to buy without checking it out in person?)

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Anecdotially, there was another *beautiful* table there (way outside my budget) and it even had a little bell below the table--to ring for the servants.

Lastly, here's a few pics of my dining room (hopefully, one day I'll be able to post some pics half as lovely as the ones above, I'll be thrilled):

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I don't have a photo, but my table is a real antique Shaker table and my chairs are repros from the Shaker Workshop--we got the kits as wedding presents. Now, I'm looking for a Danish modern credenza, which should meld nicely with the lines of the Shaker pieces.

Here is a link that might be useful: Shaker Workshop

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Val
What are the dimensions of your DR?

I would do a mock up w/some brown paper and chairs to see where the tables you are looking at would land and what your clearances are w/pulling chairs out etc...where you would put the chairs 8 that will fill the room up quickly

I love your table at the antique place but i'm not seeing how that opens to extend?

Beautiful rooms - and Holly - that is delicious looking!

What a nice thread--so many beautiful tables and chairs, and dining rooms!

This is two years old, Henredon, French--can't remember the style name. The tabletop is comprised of several woods, mainly walnut and mahogany, from my recollection.

The upholstery is a rose pattern and the back of the chairs is a tone on tone caramel/beige velvet ticking.

Oh my goodness, what beautiful dining rooms! I'm wondering if anyone can tell me anything about my dining room furniture? I've thought about posting on the furniture forum before but have never gotten around to doing it. My mother bought it in the late 60s or early 70s. I inherited when she passed away last year. At the time we were building our house and I was shopping for something quite a bit different, but I'm too sentimental not to keep it. Just curious to know more about it. Hope this is not hijacking the thread but would love to know if this is a particular style. I'm clueless.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I'm bumping this thread so more can post if they wish, and also to help fussy chicken find out about her chair style.

These dining rooms are so beautiful. I love looking at everyone's great photos.

You know, I've long considered a DR an indulgence, something for show. For years, I had only a kitchen set in each house I was in. That seemed satisfactory. Even when I had company, we sat on the sofa or I brought in folding chairs and called it good. And it was good, since that's what I had to work with at the time. But in my last home, I turned the "Living Room" into a dining room and study, because we had what the builder called the Family room set up for living. It was so nice to have that area where the grownups could play cards while the kids played at the kitchen table when we had company. In this house, I tried putting my dining table at one end of the long LR and using the front room as a more formal room, but about 2 years ago, I moved the dining furniture in there and bought a sideboard for my dishes. Do we use it all the time??? Well, no. We usually eat on the sofa in front of the t.v. You can do that when your kid is 20. But nothing beats having a real dining room for company or a nice dinner. And I love the patina of the antique furniture, the oriental rug, and maybe a few candles burning just for ambiance. Some houses have no room for this. Some people's families can't spare the space that could be used for something else. But when you can take a little piece of your house, put in a pretty set of chairs, maybe add a vintage sideboard or chandelier..........wow. Just take a look at all the dining rooms pictured above for inspiration.

Red

I enjoy looking at all of the pretty dining rooms!
Mine is not formal at all- it's an inherited McCobb set from the 50's....not my style or taste, but it means the world to my husband. Good luck finding exactly what you want, some nice choices available. :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

What beautiful dining rooms!! I'm so glad someone started this thread, b/c DH and I are in the process of buying a new formal dining set as well. We don't have one and we really need one before Christmas. This helps!

All so beautiful. Demifloyd, I love the marquetry top on your table. If I could, I would sell mine and get one like that but my husband and children tell me that I won't get the quality I have now in new, so I am stuck with it but have ordered chairs to get away from the windsor back chairs which I will either give to one of the kids or sell.