Karyn, I'm not surprised that you're having a difficult time. My home is being decorated in British colonial, also. Although CL has great furniture buys, it can be difficult to find the right style, the right price, and the right size. I looked for months trying to find the right counter stools here in Houston and finally gave up. Frontgate's Raffles counter stools met all my criteria and were a great price for the style. Many of the nice tables pictured so far on your thread are meant for a formal diningroom. For example, it seems to me your CL find would need a glass top to protect that fine wood. This defeats the idea of practicality for daily use. A breakfast table takes a lot of abuse, even with adults only in the household. Many folks probably went with a glass top so the table could be more formal yet the glass could take the wear of daily living. Frontgate has the Milano (indoor) table in different sizes and shapes. It has an iron base and a recycled hammered copper top. Frontgate has paired Clermont chairs with it which could work for British colonial. To me, their prices seem reasonable for the quality. This table may not work for you. If interested, see ironaccents.com and humbleabode.com as both also feature that table. Ironworks shows other types of tops for that table base and humbleabode discusses the type of wax that should be used to protect the top. Regardless, take your time, and perhaps save your money as others have urged. This post was edited by Texasgal47 on Thu, Aug 29, 13 at 16:13

Wow, thanks for the replies everyone. To answer some of your questions, there is no bed on the other side of the fence, and I don't think the neighbors are interested in planting anything there (the fence is on the property line). Even though the space is small I'd rather keep things on my side anyways, although going over there to prune or maintain something wouldn't be an issue. I'm not sure about roses on ropes, or the use of tall trellis's as far as the town is concerned, but that is something I can look into. My statements on Hydrangea's being slow growers was form an article I read online, so I'm somewhat glad to hear you guys disagree. Perhaps these or other "standard" may be an option? Unfortunately the other side of the driveway extends right up to my house, so planting something under the kitchen windows is not an option. I'm curious your overall opinion on shrubs that can be pruned into trees, such at the Mock Orange (Pittosporum ‘Variegate’), Christmas Berry (Photinia fraseri ‘Birmingham’), or Carolina Laurel Cherry (Prunus caroliniana ‘Compact’). Would any of these work, and how hard would they be to maintain? Another article I found also recommended the Pyrus calleyrana ‘Chanticleer’, and stated the roots wouldn't interfere with the driveway, but I have also read mixed reviews on those too. Any comments? I do like the idea of using a combination of narrow evergreens and some deciduous plants, which leads me to the question of... which ones? Thanks Again...

Round tables from what I’ve gathered take up less space so I’m not sure why a 58” diameter would be too big, but a 72”x42” would fit properly. I think either would look fine and also laid out a 70x30 ruffly measured table, honestly I preferred the round and felt I had more space.

48" rouund can work in the kitchen and how many seats do you want in the DR? The best size is one that allows 36" all around the table for the chairs to move in and out. Do you plan a buffet in the DR? make sure the 36" is measured from the buffet not the wall I would however not do a tray ceiling unless you already have all the DR furniture chosen. IMO the ceiling often make furniture and lighting arrangement awkward.. Forget the desk area in the kitchen and also thta corner pantry just do some true oopullout pantries there you will get 2 x the storage and some much better too.If you have a buffet in the DR then a rect. A 42 x80 table will work with the buffet in the DR8 seats and I usually have a piano bench for the ends if you have kids so 10 in a pinch , depending on the cahirs you might be av\ble to squeexe one more on each side .I like a 42" wide table it allows amily style dining .