I went to a couple of local stores today, just randomly chosen because they looked like they would carry formal dining furniture (Walter E. Smithe, Thomasville, and Drexel Heritage). As I expected no one had oak (except for mission which stylistically will not go with my china cabinet). So I looked for woods that were the right reddish brown color, which turned out to be, for the most part, mahogany. What I saw in all of these stores seemed to be really nice quality but I did experience sticker shock. (More from the price of the chairs than the tables: is $300 and up per chair normal? ArghÂ) I realize I havenÂt shopped for much furniture; when our kids were small utility ruled, and most of my good pieces are family antiques that I refinished myself. Subtracting the styles that wouldnÂt go and ones with distressing (I donÂt like distressing, at least not on a formal dining table), that left really only 2 tables found in 4 stores, one by Henredon and one by Thomasville. All of the stores said they had few styles on display but could order anything from the manufacturer. However ordering was what I didnÂt want to do, since I want to see the wood and workmanship close up. If I have to order anyway I might as well do it online. I have read about people on these forums ordering online but I have been concerned about getting something that is not the quality I am imagining. Are there any brands or vendors in particular I should look for, so I will not be disappointed? Thanks for any advice you can offer.

Hi Wanda- Please, please do not buy chairs from the Internet. Chairs have to be comfortable and sturdy and made to last and support even big people. You are much better off going to charity stores craigslist and tag sales looking for sets of chairs made of solid wood and recovering the seat cushions and painting the wood. These stores have so many of these sets now! It is so easy to cover a chair seat and not difficult to learn how to paint the wood or you can leave the wood the way it is or just sand and varnish it.

That is patterned after - or may actually be - the Knoll Saarinen Executive Chair. Justifiably famous quintessential MCM chair. The wheels are on the desk chair version, but it also comes without wheels. You can upholster it any way you want, or choose one of the standard Knoll colors in leather, flat weave, boucle, or velvet. I saw them recently in a soft yellow the color of banana cream pie - to die for. These chairs will cost you a lot to purchase, and to upholster if you don’t want one of the Knoll fabrics, but you didn’t mention budget. The legs come in either metal or wood. For a kitchen dining table I prefer metal legs. For a dining room dining table I prefer wood legs. Here are links to them at Design Within Reach. There are likely cheaper knockoffs, but at least now you know the name to search for. https://www.dwr.com/workspace-chairs/saarinen-executive-side-chair-with-metal-legs/7214.html?lang=en_US#lang=en_US&q=Knoll+dining+chair&pn=2&start=2 https://www.dwr.com/dining-chairs-and-stools/saarinen-executive-side-chair-with-wood-legs/2260.html?lang=en_US#lang=en_US&q=Knoll+dining+chair&pn=2&start=3 In Knoll Swan Velvet: There’s also a version with arms:

Put your centerpiece on the chess table. Is the other ornate dining set for breakfast, gaming or could it be used here? Do you want to continue with the cow head/skin theme, leaning SW in your decor? They aren't really "cozy and elegant," IMO. Is a new chandy in the picture? That one misses the mark on elegance. You need a minimum of 36-42" from the table top to any baseboards or furniture surrounding the table to allow for chair sit/scoot space. I'd do that measurement first. I really wouldn't want the rug jammed up against the exterior wall. Maybe the smaller, round table would be a better choice for using a rug here.