The standard allowance is a minimum 36" from edge of table to wall or existing furniture. You should have enough space in your room for this size table. Eileen www.snydersfurniture.com

I have a DR that is almost 13' square so mine is close to your size. My DR table (without leaves) is almost exactly 56" square. It looks great when no one is eating at it, but even without putting in a leaf (it will seat 5 a bit crowded, 4 better), it is hard to get around. I have a small sideboard on one wall, a chest on another wall, and no furniture on the 3rd/4th walls and it's still crowded. Serving is a nightmare as I cannot get behind the chairs to go around the table. If I put in a leaf (my leaves are about 24" wide), I can seat 6 comfortably. One Christmas, I had to put in 2 leaves, and the people at the end, well, one had his chair practically in the entrance into the LR, and the other was up against the french doors that lead to outside - it was awful and this was to seat 9 people! I cannot imagine how you can possibly use your table in this room, or any other table and hope to seat 10 people. It's just not big enough. It takes a BIG DR to hold a table that can seat 10 comfortably. My DD has a DR that is 15' x 16 1/2'. Her table is 52" wide and if she uses small chairs, she can seat two at each end and with two leaves in her table (a triple pedestal table), she can seat 4 down each side, thus 12 in total. One time, she seated 14 - it was very cramped - no b&b plates, single wine glass in the table setting.

I would have gone and talked to the owner behind you before it showed up as listed -- both to reduce the competition and to possibly make it easier to negotiate, but I still wouldn't rule out making an offer now. Let them know the listed rent is more than your parents can swing and that you can add something to it to make this work for everyone, but not what they are asking. Tell them you were hoping that the $1600 they mentioned might make it possible to work something out. Make an offer that is either the max or close to the max you can do with you chipping in. If it is the max, let them know that. You know they have some flexibility because they talked about listing it for less. If they don't need max dollars out of the home, they may have the flexibility to take the $1600 or even less (asking $1600, they might have been looking to get at least $1450 or $1500 -- or they might have been firm at $1600). Some folks are only about dollars and some situations require anyone to focus on dollars, but sometimes other factors weigh in too. Doesn't hurt to let them know your DH passed and your situation is a bit more limited than it might be otherwise. Let them know you will be there to make sure everything is well cared, that your parents need help and you need them to be closer, but you having trouble finding the right solution. Tell them what a blessing it would be to have your parents hem so close at this time in their lives. It's okay to yank their chain a little. It may or may not work, but nothing ventured, nothing gained. Whether you talk to these folks or not, you are going to have to be proactive and stay on top of things. I looked at rental listings that are online and even a couple of senior apartment options last night. There ae not a ton of options that appear to be very close to you that are near your price range (only a couple of homes that showed active and in Kingwood - looks like there are more in Atascocita and Humble, and I don't know if those are close enough to meet your goals). But the ones that look best are aleady pending. Are you working with an agent to help you locate possiilities and to jump on new listings? You need to be getting some networking on your side to find things as they open up and to get a sense of where there may be flexibility. If you are working with an agent and they are just showing you what you see online and ask about, they aren't working for you. If that is the case, I'd find another agent. This time of year is likely to have fewer new options, so you want to jump on anything that looks good. There may also be fewer people looking to move this time of year, but it only takes one to snap up that perfect place before you do, so don't be too lax. Also, be assertive. You have every right to ask for anything. If it is reasonable or well presented, it will likely be considered. You may not get it, but you are guaranteeed to get nothing if you don't ask. Put yourself in the shoes of the landlord or seller and tell yourself all the reasons why you and your parents would be good tenants or buyers for them. Convince yourself so you can convince them. Get that agent to work with you -- they are used to seeing the needs and wants on both sides and should be able to help you make your best case. Are you the only family member? Are there others, even if out of town that can lend support and help you with all this? It's a lot harder to act and make decisions when you have the emotional involvement with your parents, they have issues that ake it more difficult and you are feeling the weight of the world on your shoulders. If you don't have family or friends to lean on, at least you have this forum. Use it -- and get a good agent working for you. And I talk too much. Sorry it's so long.

There is n ot much more uncomfortable than a chair that "hits you wrong"....but that depends on so many things....how long your legs are...how broad your seat is, etc. Choose chairs that fit the people who sit in them most often. I am short...and a widow for lots of years. And when I first bought a sofa and love seat without considering anyone but me...I sat in a lot of sofas. I chose one with a short seat...so my legs don't stick out in front like a little kid. I find some of my tall friends are sitting sideways or seeking out the ottoman, but I bought the furniture so I am comfortable.