Well, after striking out in my last attempt to replace our breakfast table (see this thread for pics and sordid details), I've been eyeing up a round table at a local antiques place. It's maple, probably from the early 20th century, has turned legs and a nice patina, more farmhousey than my last attempt (the oak schoolhouse table in the pics) but would still go great with the schoolhouse chairs that I love. I've gone back 3 weeks in a row now trying to talk myself out of it but I can't. I really really like it. (Who was it that posted about obsessions? If I get this table, I'll have 3, count em, 3 breakfast room tables, LOL!)

It's a 54" round, which I think would fit the space very well. Unfortunately, it has 4 legs instead of a single pedestal, which probably limits me to 4 chairs comfortably (I'm sure we could squeeze in more if we had to - the kids could straddle the legs, right?)

The antiques lady has very kindly offered me the option to return the table if it doesn't work, but it will be a huge hassle to lug it here, set it up, and lug it back if I don't like it, so I don't want to even try it unless I'm pretty sure it's going to work.

So a couple questions before I pull the trigger.

1) How many chairs would a typical 54" pedestal table accomodate comfortably? 6? 8? Wondering if the legs are really going to be a hindrance and if I should hold out for a pedestal format (though I have yet to see a vintage pedestal table that fits with my style/vision, LOL! Most are big and victorian-ish, with claw feet etc.)

2) The table does not open up to take a leaf (which I like - I hate the bumpy line in the table where the leaf gets inserted and much prefer a one-piece top). But I'd like to be able to make it bigger if we need to seat more people. I'm wondering if I could get, say, a 6' or 8' circular tabletop to lay on top of this one. Does anyone make something like that, or would it be something I'd need to build (cough, cough, yeah right like that would ever happen)? Where could I get one (and the tablecloth to cover it?)

3) If I go with a round table, I'll probably replace the rug as well (with a round one). That would actually be a bonus, because the rug we're currently using doesn't quite fit - it's folded under at one corner because of the odd angle of the windows. Most round rugs seem to come 8' diameter - will that be big enough to give chair-pulling-out-room with a 54" table?

Thanks mucho!