Old thread, just wanted to add: There were radios built into tables, in particular the Atwater Kent 55 or 60 model built into a 6-sided table in about 1929 by Kiel furniture co. However the table had to have quite a bit of space (6") vertically inside to hold all the bulky electronics. I'm not sure how this one is put together but I doubt a radio of that era would fit under the average dining room table. If they did, the controls would have been on the side or top, not underneath. The Atwater Kent had a small hinged door on one side that flipped down to reveal the tuning dial and knobs. What you have there is called an escutcheon or dial plate, btw. I'm thinking they used it to repair or shim something. However if you find odd bolt holes that no longer hold anything, it's possible...

Just out of curiosity, what room/s are adjacent to your DR? Is there a possibility that an opening could be made and with a support beam, you could have an almost wide-open DR which would give you more room and if so could you put your sideboard in the adjacent room providing that is not your bedroom or bathroom. I once lived in a house that would not accommodate all my DR furniture and I put my china cabinet in the adjacent room and it looked fine. In fact, I have an additional sideboard in my great room which I use for a dessert bar. When the meal is completed, everyone adjourns to that room and beverages and dessert are in that room, and those partaking can sit in more comfortable chairs and converse.

twogirls, it's in magazine around here somewhere. I'll try to find it and scan it for you. From reading the design blogs, banquette seating in the dining room is very much in vogue. You know how people always ask for a booth in a restaurant? Comfy seating lends itself to lingering after dinner and enjoying each other's company. I think the best banquettes are the ones that aren't too deep, are at the right height, and have a back so you can lean back comfortably. My friend has a banquette that has pretty pillows arranged against her bay window ... beautiful, but not that comfy cuz the pillows are too low to lean back against and they kind of slip around. Susan Serra has some great tips for designing a banquette. Here is a link that might be useful: Banquettes at Susan Serra's blog

It seems that you prefer the cherry table, so that's what I'd go with. Especially since it's in better condition. You are concerned that it might get worn with everyday use (and it probably will), but at the worst it will then just be in the same condition as the oak table is already. I wouldn't use a table cloth on a daily basis either, but place mats will look nice and provide some level of protection for the table. In addition, the cherry table is the least expensive option since refinishing the oak table would be expensive--and you'd also have to get new chairs to go with it.