Pal-- timeframe is sooner is better than later, but we don't have anything other than a Halloween party coming up, so a folding table with a fun tablecloth will have to do! Budget is $2000 (thanks, MIL!) BUT, I completely cringe at that number. TY for the link-- I didn't know you could mix/match the bases and legs. Very nice. Stinky-- thanks! I am so wary of CL now. I am still shaking my fist at Past Me for missing such a glaring problem. Maybe it was messed up in the transport? Dunno. Thank you for the Macy's link-- very pretty! BWmom-- yes, that is what I will need to do. I just want to be DONE, though. I like decorating but I hate, hate, hate shopping. I have bought too many things in haste, however, just to be done . . .only to regret. RNSusie, I somehow missed in the past that you could actually SEARCH on Furnishly(always see ads on CL). Thank you! Prickly-- that is a pretty table. Thank you! Funky, that is great to know that they do sales. Definitely worth a phone call! Jane, I never would have thought of the banging! I don't really like the table anyway, but that definitely makes me say no to that style. We are pretty short here, but why take a chance? New Bee, I like a round one, but DH thinks they look messy. I think square will seem too big. The dining room is in the center of the house-- you have to walk through it to get just about everywhere, so it's really tricky. We need a table small enough to get by easily but large enough to seat our family of 7 at least every night. (Figure the kitchen will work in the day.) Hilltop-- good to know! I love those chairs too. kswl, good point about covering the table. Will need to do something like that, I think, in the meantime. My husband just sent me a link to Amish Direct. Does anyone have experience with them? I like this table: We can get whatever finish and also leaves, choose diameter, etc. My "dream" table would be one that I don't have to babysit. I would LOVE to have a table that the kids can play games on, we could hang out there together, etc. without having to always have a pad and tablecloth on. I want to eat and drink there! Do I need formica??? Not such a fan of glass with kids. Here is a link that might be useful: Amish Furniture

Well, I'm a Kai Christensen fan, so the second one sort of resembles his iconic z chair, though thicker.. And, it might give you problems with the arm vs table height. Both are beautiful. Good luck in your choice. I don't think a padded back makes a big difference in dining chairs.

Are you going to paint the grandfather clock too? Don't be so quick to create a monotone room. I would darken the coffee table top with a gel stain so it works with the darker end tables and clock. HERE is how one person did it. I might also darken the dining chairs. I'm confused as to how the end tables have the perfect width, but you want them to look larger! Perhaps you are overthinking the design. It looks balanced to me. Live with it for a while.

I agree with the above to not paint them. And "brown" furniture is trending again. :) I like your seat covers. I think it feels heavy to you because every piece in the room is formal. Maybe mix in a more contemporary chandelier, a mirror or abstract art instead of the large painting over your buffet, and a different rug. You can find real turkish rugs on etsy for a very reasonable price. Or a seagrass would look nice too. (Seagrass can be cleaned with water/liquid products, stay away from jute and sisal in the dining groom.) Simplify the sconces and centerpiece, and have nothing on the table or else a simple something in the center--no dishes or tablecloth. This room is similar to yours. Real rug with contrasting orangey colors, living flowers, mirror. This one has antique but simplified lighting, one simple centerpiece, mirror.