Thank you for your thoughts on the chairs so far. Here is an update: First off, I should confirm that I am from the UK... so I'm guessing that these chairs are too. Secondly, my best guess is that they come from a place in England called "High Wycombe" and were made by William Bartlett and his company. Why do I think this? On closer examination I noticed that every chair has similar marking on its underside, including the image of an archer and the name 'strongbow' (see image below). All four chairs also have the phrase "REGD" stamped on them (the 'D'is superscripted) and two chairs also have numbers stamped on them (519950) and stamped initials 'WJE'. Googling Strongbow and furniture I came across the name William Bartlett. Indeed a search to one site revealed a logo which seemed to be of a very similar shape and stance to the stamp on the chair Web link 1. Also, a search on google maps suggest that the old premises of the company on Grafton Street in High Wycombe also displayed a similar logo Web link 2. A little more searching turned up a document from the High Wycombe council website which suggested that the 'Strongbow range dates at least to 1965 Web link 3. Now, if this is the case then I assume the chairs are reproductions in an arts a craft style and are not original pieces. Anyway. What do you all think? Does this sound plausible to you? Thanks in advance for your thoughts, time and effort.

I've always liked the use of mismatched dining chairs and have collected lots of pics of rooms where they've done this, BUT, and this is a huge BUT, it depends on the rest of the decor whether it will work if the chairs are quite diverse. It only works IMO in a casual, cottage, eclectic, even funky room or if the chairs are reasonably similar in style. Trying to use mismatched chairs in a more formal traditional dining room will just look like you didn't have enough chairs and borrowed more. The only time it works, again IMO, in a traditional formal room is when the chairs at the ends of the table are (usually) upholstered and the other chairs are not, but of a similar style. Painting mismatched chairs all the same color is another possibility to create unity. If you find chairs with simple clean lines I think it can work. In my casual dining area, especially when there are more than 6 people, I use some black painted chairs. The 6 chairs are oak and part of my DR set and the black chairs are painted the same as a sideboard in the adjoining kitchen so it's almost as if there are 2 'sets'. Works for me in my casual home. Check out the link below to see most of the rooms are casual, cottage, and/or eclectic altho there are a few modern and European rooms as well. Here is a link that might be useful: mismatched dining room chairs

According to the bottom of the ottoman, Sam Moore Furniture in Bedford, VA. The fabric came from another source.

I really like the concrete counters I put in my remodaled kitchen 3 years ago. I was tired of granite and was looking for a different look. Concrete can be made in any shape or color. My counters have a big double sink that's all one piece, blending with my counters. I love that. I was lucky to have a company in town that does concrete - New Edge Design (Lynden, WA). These counters do require some consideration, however. You have to be careful with acids(citrus, wine, vinegar) as these stain the counters. But even if it stains, eventually it fades into a patina that's part of the look. I have a large butcher block island that I prepare most of my food on so this is not a big deal for me. Anyway, I like my counters and get a lot of compliments on them.