I think that YOU know best what style fits the house and what size fits your entertaining.

Go with what works!

Queen Ann doesn't really seem to be quite right for a cottage home. I would consider something with ladder back chairs, or something with the feel of mission style, but lighter.

Can you post a picture?

I have my Grandmother's ladder back chairs and am using them now. They are also plain and would seem to go better with a plainer table than with the table now in use, which I would call heavy, Jacobean. I'll try to post a picture.....can't , battery done.
salbwil

Your husband may be correct about missing the "big old table", especially if it will seat 15 when you need the room. Men tend to know about seating large parties if they are the ones moving things around. Have you considered keeping the table and just buying new chairs and a new sideboard? Would that work?

The table I'm looking at is from a local company ; this is their link: piercefurniture.com
salbwil

Hi salbwil,

You must be on the North Shore. I lived in Marblehead for a few years. (Still miss it sometimes, can't beat the sailing there.) I have a table made by Pierce & Co. (their name at the time) that I love, and it has held up for many years of almost daily use. Have you bought anything from them before? Their solid wood furniture is beautifully made and, like their web site says, "crafted to last a lifetime".

I was thinking last week of making a trip to the Ipswich area whenever the weather breaks in the spring, and want to make Pierce Furniture one of my stops (after the fried clams). I'm sure that you will be happy with anything you buy from them.

I haven't bought anything from them before, but they were recommended to me and I've been to their store. Yes, their furniture is beautiful and seems well made. I was looking at a very simple cherry table , with expansion leaves.Do you miss the North Shore ?
salbwil

I was just looking at the Pierce furniture web site, and they seem to have changed a little since I was there last. For example, they now offer furniture from other manufacturers, and if I remember correctly, they used to do only custom work. The hardwood tables, however, all seem to be custom and made by Pierce. There is a photo of a beautiful cherry custom table with breadboard leaf extenders. Is that anything like what you want to buy?

My table from Pierce is used for morning coffee, paper work and research at all hours, board games, and an occasional craft project among other things. It is much bigger than my desk and therefore I can spread out the papers, books, etc. while working. It stands up to all kinds of spills, drops and other insults. I had the top sanded and refinished once.

Yes, I have fond memories of the North Shore. It is so beautiful there. Lots of nautical touches on the exteriors as well as interiors of many homes. I often go back to visit friends and take a drive along the coast, usually in summer. I live in RI now in a scenic coastal area that reminds me of Marblehead and the North Shore. But then, I chose Marblehead originally because it reminded me of the RI coast.

I too love Rhode Island.....family came from Little Compton, way back when.....beautiful farmland going down towards the sea !
Thank you,
salbwil