My friend just bought a beautiful black and maple top dining table from Ethan Allen. She picked leather upholstery since her children are young and they use the table daily. It wasn't inexpensive though, but not made of particle board.

What price range are you considering? I ask because one personâÂÂs idea of expensive is very different from anotherâÂÂs.

For a custom set that you can design the way you want it, and will last a long time, try Canadel.

For something simple that will get you by for a while,consider IKEA.

Antique or any resale store. Serving large families or entertaining was more common way back when. If you don't like wood you can easily paint it out :).

I purchased a black table at Ikea. I didn't want to spend a lot on a table because it's not something that is used often. I wanted something inexpensive that I could mix with other pieces from other places.

The table has no leaves in it in the photo below and I have 6 chairs. The black chairs are very wide. If you had smaller chairs you might get away with 3 on each side with no leaves but eating might be tight.

When both leaves are open you can fit 10. I sat 12 adults for Christmas Eve using those chairs and then smaller black folding chairs (also from Ikea) and it was fine.

For the money I think it was a great buy.

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Overstock.com has several, $1.00 shipping on entire order right now..

The Paula Dean collection has great finishes...I have the upholstered end chairs and LOVE them...comfortable and great fabric. Better than the uncomfortable overpriced chairs at Arhuas, Pottery barn and Rest. Hardware.

http://theplacefurnituregalleries.com/paula-deen-home-furniture/dining-collection-furniture.html

Check out Crate and Barrel. If you have a local Wood You store, you might look there as well. They will paint or stain their furniture for you.

My advice is in order to do the widest search possible, stop searching for a black table and chairs and instead look for ANY table and chairs that meet your size criteria and then paint the set black.

Here is a link that might be useful: crate and barrel

You may want to check Criagslist as I have seen many oak tables and chairs going from $100 to $300. You could always paint it black.

I purchased a large, solid table with six chairs on Craigslist that is "like new."

I also intend to paint the set, and get host chairs for the ends of the table. I think I'm going to be very pleased when it's all finished.