You are in the middle of a beautiful exciting time! I bet this same question on the GardenWeb Furniture forum would get you some source recommendations. I love finding a well loved used furniture bargain but I know how much time I have spent on that kind of hunt. I just checked Overstock.com .... I've seen in magazines recently furniture & accessories from there all really stylish and great prices. They ship internationally. Today there are not very many in your 96 inch length....I filtered for Rectangle shape. Most are about $200 but this one that is dark walnut finish (made of hardwoods and veneers, doesn't say what kind) is $720. I don't like the chairs with this one but on Overstock there are 100s of chairs. Good luck with your hunt. Living where you live maybe buying furniture online is for you. Years ago I bought my first couch & loveseat from a showroom in North Carolina over the phone. I talked to a design consultant on the phone and got the brand I wanted and chose the fabric from a local store that had it. The company I first used Furniturelandsouth is online and you could try shopping over the phone. They would send you links to 96 inch, espresso finish, rectangle tables, whatever parameters you say. That sure would save you time on driving all over the place. Good luck! Here is a link that might be useful: FurniturelandSouth search result for dining tables

Room and Board used to sell bases, not sure if they still do, but think it would be worth a look. In fact one of the pictures in the link looks like a table base they sell.

Thank you JudyG and Kirsten! So that's two votes for the white with nickel. I'm starting to feel a little better for sure. Yes, we're definitely wanting a large rug under the table. Any suggestions for color? Darks, neutrals, bold? We'll probably do a china cabinet as well, but not a piece that matches too closely with the table.

What are the furnishings in the rest of the space ?