As you might expect from the pricing, room and board is higher quality. I have both stores nearby, and while I like West elm for accents and accessories, their furniture seems poorly made. I once impulsively bought a console table on clearance there, and regretted that I hadn't examined it more carefully, as the construction was poor.

The R&B table is solid wood. The WE table boasts solid wood legs. Get the wood one. Plus it's a bit more groovy.

I have a few R&B things. Their case goods are well built (I believe they have several suppliers though) and their customer service is really good.

(For what it's worth, you could get a real "surfboard table" from the 60s and put whatever finish you like on it for less than either of these. Vintage dining tables are usually inexpensive and well built compared to new ones. And refinishing a table top isn't too hard.)

It also looks like the west elm table is waxed, whereas the R&B Table is lacquered. Lacquer will stand up much better under use. The R&B one also stores it's own leaf, which is convenient.

I've enjoyed both companies, but R&B is definitely higher quality. I've always thought of R&B as the more established adult company, whereas West Elm is more young adult. That R&B table will last you forever and it has some gorgeous detailing along the edging. The West Elm one will certainly hold up and will look nice, but it's not something I'd keep forever. The price difference is substantial though, so consider how long you will want a mid-century dining table.

Thank you all for the input, I appreciate the first hand experience with both. I grew up with the mentality of “if it’s not broken, why replace it?” I’d like to have a table that will last at least 20 years, both with quality and style. It sounds like the R&B table would be the better option of these two.

I do like the idea of looking for a vintage table, we have a bunch of antique shops in our area, maybe I’ll go check out those today!!

Room & Board is higher quality. That being said I own the West Elm table in question. Had it for 3-4 years. It’s worn fairly well but there are a few dings in the veneer. If the budget allows for you to get solid wood top - do it! If not go with West Rlm it’s still nice.

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South Redwood - I love that room! Although I don’t have the guts to go that MCM with the chairs. I ordered a sample of the walnut from R&B, I have my fingers crossed it’s what I’m looking for!

West Elm has Ikea quality stuff at much higher prices. Wouldn't recommend. I had a West Elm bed that was total garbage - actually way worse than the Ikea bed I have. If you go into their showroom you'll see just how poorly their stuff holds up. R&B all the way.

I own the West Elm table. It's just okay...even when expanded, the medium one only seats four. The leaf is sturdy and the wood has held up well, but opt for Room and Board if you can afford it. I'm actually selling my West Elm table in the coming weeks.

I agree, Room and Board furniture, which is made in the US, is much higher quality. I have three R&B dining tables in two houses and love them all. They offer a flat $139 shipping fee, too, so I also got ten dining chairs, two sofas, two recliners, two swivel chairs and walnut coffee and entry tables shipped cross country to my winter home after picking them out in one of their stores.

Good luck to you; it is hard when you can't see and touch what you are buying.

I agree about possibly locating a dining room table used because if you can find a style you like, the quality can be better than what you might otherwise get new and the price will be good because there is so much used furniture flooding the market. I wouldn't say categorically that quality will be better because people bought furniture at all quality levels - just because it's used, doesn't mean it's Ethan Allen quality :-)

That said West Elm was DELIBERATELY put into the marketplace to fill a niche for young adults decorating their first or second homes or apartments who wanted something more stylish than IKEA. It tends to be trendier with an appeal to younger tastes. A lot of younger people I know furnished with West Elm instead of IKEA.

DO NOT purchase the mid-century table from West Elm. The one I bought in July '22 has developed a horrible defect on the top that is getting worse. There seems to be a seam on the top that has material that is creating a set of bubbles that continue to grow. West Elm Service says that they can do nothing since I have had the table over a year. I am so disappointed with the poor quality from them.