My dining room table seats 10 and can fit 12 in a pinch. When not in use, there are 8 chairs around it. Knowing I'd squeeze 12 people in there on occasion, I got 12 matching chairs (windsor chairs with wide backs). I'd be much happier if I had gotten a bench or something with a much smaller back for the extra chairs. The backs of the chairs are practically locked together when I have a full house. Really, I wish I had just gotten a couple of saddle chairs (no back at all). This would work especially well for me, since at least a few of my guests are usually children. Anyway, this is a long winded way of seconding the parsons chair idea or bench idea!

Wow, ask and you shall receive! We have both an IKEA and a terrific World Market, and of course Target all nearby. The price points are excellent. Looks like I'll be making a field trip this week. In answer to questions: 1. Yes the sofa is going, LOL -today as a matter of fact. 2. I loved the old table too, and did not want to get rid of it, but for awhile it's been too small. Even six people around it was a bit uncomfortable. That table was an English drawer leaf table, and so I now have it in it's square size, at the end of my sofa in the family room, and I love it! Holds a lamp I needed at that end of the sofa, and even gives us a place to play a game or do a puzzle. 3. The ultra modern 'ghost' chairs and others are probably comfortable but they just look so darn uncomfortable to me that I can never wrap my head around them. 4. The chairs with the covers that I made for them will be in reserve. I only plan to keep six chair around this table, but will be able to pull up to four of these out when we have more than six guests. It's funny I didn't mention tufted because when I was out and about and saw them a few days ago, I instantly thought, "Ooooh!" So now I'm thinking what might be kind of nice would be either 4 of the tufted World Market or Target chairs or 4 of the IKEA chairs, with two armed/upholstered chairs at the ends. Since I can sew/upholster/slipcover, I've been watching CL, but haven't found the right ones yet.... Thank you all so much. This post was edited by bestyears on Sun, Feb 8, 15 at 18:17

@carlyabbey - thank you for your kind words Carly & also for giving some thought to my suggestions (and to my requests for displaying pieces I like 😉). Yours was a fun thread to follow & engage with. It’s especially fun when a communication connection is made between the OA & one or more of the responders. I did read from the first reply to you and I’m right there with you. I also was quite taken aback at a response to my first post for kitchen changes help - I know one needs a thick skin at times but it still stung! On the flip side, I’ve decided all of the Houzzers mean well even when they comment on points not relevant to the OA’s request, and I’ve read some wonderful ideas & gotten some really helpful info from answers to other people’s home challenges. Again, thanks for your note - made my day! Kathy

Think transitional That’s part of your past and can be easily integrated with your present and future Find something contemporary to use for visual appeal on the table top and consider how well it’s going to function with family and friends gathering around a casual, hospitable accessible spot i have my mother’s 1967 dining room Henkle Harris oval Colonial maple table in my tiny kitchen bay window eating area with my 1974 Ethan Allen dining room cane back birch chairs The host chairs are in the dining room with my mother’s six dining room chairs and a wall long Ethan Allen library unit that functions as a china cabinet i’ve had nothing but positive comments in the seven years I’ve used these combos it’s my life, my style. Why waste good stuff that has value and emotional appeal to all who experience it?