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.

What shows you are going about this all wrong is you're honing in on the details (like where to put the dishwasher and fridge), yet you don't even have the big picture yet. I'm an artist. When I start to draw, I don't start with the eyes on the face. I first get the general placement of the figure, then rough in the lights and darks and the general overall feel. I then slowly start to refine everything and the more I refine, the more detailed I can get until finally I can start to detail the eyes, nose and mouth. A good architect will work the same way, only they'll consider the interior, the exterior and how the house sits on the land all at the same time. Not until they and their client have honed in on the overall look and feel, will they start to refine to first room sizes, then things like closets, then get into the details.

Yes... I was originally going to make the tabletop 36"W, but after reading those specs on Arhaus.com I decided to widen it to at least 38" to accommodate the bases. The mounting issue was another thing I tried to discuss with the online "designer" and didn't get any help with. In this picture it looks like there are holes on the top of them, but since my top is 2 cm quartz, I won't be using any screws into it to attach them. The stone fabricator will install the top similar to how they install countertops to cabinet bases, using a special epoxy glue. But I will definitely show these bases to them first to make sure it can be attached properly! As far as other coordinating colors in my home, I am planning on replacing most of the existing fixtures (except wood floors) so I'm basically starting from scratch with the 2 tables in question, the tan leather sofa and 3 kitchen chairs I already have. From there I will decide on barstools, light fixtures, rugs, banquet cushions and other accessories, incorporating an accent color or 2 in some of those. Interesting idea to do the bar table legs in an fun accent color, but I think choosing that now would be putting the cart before the horse! Maybe I'll skip that step for now and keep the existing black legs that are on it (knowing that they will eventually be changed) until I choose my kitchen table base and barstools. Does anyone else think the brass bases might look more (or too) formal than the black ones?

dining zone will be veering a little more modern it seems...the kitchen itself has a bit more traditional sense about it. I'd find some interesting things for the dining zone as its in visual view as well it looks like traffic passes around it so youll be aware of it all the time. get a great rug and I'd go moderate to somewhat ample scaled chairs I would prefer upholstered as I think its a good investment and you can pick the fabric you like. fabrics are hard wearing these days. the blue gray chairs are nice but not plump enough . the second ones in white are a little better..they have some curves and in a print or stripe or tweed could be nice. the last pic. w the high backed striped chairs is a fun pick and puts life into that space [red is an apetite stimulating color ].....red=warm=fire...... just depends on what you care to do. remember there will be art on the wall later and plants in that light filled corner so its going to feel nice . the table is fine. .