Duncan Phyfe was a fine New York Cabinentmaker that made pieces in the early to mid 1800's. Many folks refer to furniture as 'Duncan Phyfe' but it should be called "Sheraton" or even "Directore" for the period. Have photos? I can probably identify the period style for you. I can pretty much guarantee its not an original Duncan Phyfe! The maker will be not so easy unless there are markings or brands under the top.

Wow - didn't expect it to be so unanimous! lobotome - yes, the high backs for these chairs have always bugged me. They are also very uncomfortable and, as I mentioned, kind of falling apart. I would definitely try to find replacement chairs at the very least. I'm not sure if the schoolhouse ones would match though - they seem to call for a more clean-lined table, no? Just to be absolutely sure, let me post some closeup pics of my current set, so you can see why I've been thinking of replacing it. Yes, the set was $3000 new, but it seems to be kind of crappily built. It was the first real piece of furniture that dh and I ever picked out at real furniture store (as opposed to the salvation army), and I guess I didn't know what to look for. Now I'd probably raise heck if they delivered something that looked like this to me, but back then, I just assumed that was the way it was supposed to be. As I said, this is a mexican distressed pine table. They seem to have used quite a bit of wood putty in the construction. All of the things you'll see in these pics have been there since new (except for the green stain - that was courtesy of one of my kiddos!) So here's the closeups: Wood putty holding leg together (ignore the half-naked doll on the chair - oops!): Wood putty holding other leg together (all those yellow splotches are putty): The distressed tabletop includes lot of cracks that have gotten worse over time. Makes it almost impossible to write at the table without using a notebook or clipboard as a writing surface. And oh, yeah, the green stain (watercolor paints from one of my kids): It's hard to think of getting rid of the table because it does hold a lot of memories and it is really cool looking. But the top has become such a pain in the butt with the kids' homework - I can't count how many times they've put a pencil through their paper because they hit a crack or dent under the place they were writing. And all those little dents catch every single crumb - it's really hard to get them out unless you vacuum it (yes, I've been known to vaccum my table, LOL!) I do think a round table would work very well for us - ideally I'd like to find one with a similar style to the new chairs (clean shaker-type lines). But all I can find are big oak pedestal tables with lion paw feet or ones with big swirly empire feet. I don't think either quite goes with my kitchen. Any suggestions for a round table that might work? I'm thinking at least 48", maybe as big as 60" in diameter.

I think of so many questions to possibly help you decide! Did you sit on the orange one in the shop, and is it as comfortable, or more so than your current one? I ask as the seat cushion looks a bit thin and not what I'd expect to see. Are you happy with your current one's comfort and size although it needs repair and re-upholstering? When you say, ' I wish the frame were not painted but the price is low so I can live with that. Not sure I can live with the color though.' How would you address the frame color, and how would you handle upholstery that you say you are not sure you could live with? Is it possible that the time and money you might possibly have to put in the low priced orange one would come close to the estimates that you have had for the current one? I couldn't live with the way the frame has been painted either. I don't care for the light color with the fabric, as it just doesn't relate. What color is the welting? I liked the suggestion of a deep navy color, and would use a gloss to bring out the carving I see on the front . I'd then find or make pillows that relate the frame with the upholstery color. Painting the frame would take a careful touch so as not to get paint on the welt or fabric. I'd carefully use masking tape on all of it. Would you be buying the fabric for the current one to be re-done? What is your ideal fabric? I ask that because I just got this email below from Barn Fabrics, with the majority of their fabrics on sale for $3.99 a yard. Some of their fabrics aren't exciting, but they have many that are recent or current, and you can get wonderful buys. I know how exciting it is to see a low priced item that you're drawn to. I like to find ones on CL, but I buy them with the intent of re-doing them. It almost seems as that is what you'd need to do with this one, as you don't care for the frame painting or the fabric. I wish we could see a better pic of your current one, as it looks beautiful. Have you looked at all local shops who would repair and re-upholster it? Good luck! "To all my web customers: We are glad to offer you this special by email: Upholstery (U), Drapery (D only, not DM), Microsuede (MS) and Outdoor (O) fabrics on our website, www.barnfabriccenter.com, will be offered at $3.99 per yard from now until midnight November 3, 2013 Please add "Halloween Sale" to the Special Instructions/Comment Section at check out to receive the discount. Discounts will not be applied without this code. Please remember discounts are not shown in the shopping cart but are taken manually upon receipt of the order at our store. Please call with any questions or to order by phone 1-800-820-4330. Thank you for your business, Gary"

That is an excellent price and the table and china cabinet is georgeous. I just bought a set myself in solid mahagony--8 chairs, sidboard, plus table - a steal at $900. Even for this era, most tables were in a veneer, though I found a lot of variation in the quality of the veneer. If it's intact, it should be fine. Finding a matched set of chairs (1940's) proves to be more a challenge, though. Most sets I looked at had either mismatched chairs, odd number of chairs, less chairs, or damaged chairs. In fact the set I bought one of the 8 chairs is damaged and I will have to have it repaired; but I consider myself lucky just to have found a set with 8 matching chairs. In my area, though, I still see the chairs sometimes listed alone--more on Craigslist than at antique stores where they seem to have a chair shortage--still it would not hurt to make phone calls. Chairs that go with this style tend to be either shieldback(Hepplewhite) or Chipendale and I would look for chairs in those styles if you want to match the table. If you are not pressed for time and can use your old chairs in the meantime, I don't think you can go wrong at this price. You could always resell and recoup your investment and even keep the china cabinet. Snap it up before it's gone. Here's a current Craigslist ad in my area to give you an idea what to look for (and expect to pay more than the $75)! That is a real steal. Here is a link that might be useful: Matching chairs