How about joining it where the leaf would go- maybe a dowel rod/hole type assembly? You could glue them in so they do not pull apart, then fill the seam with a little wood filler and you will never know it was there

If there's not a real tight fit then use a Simson Tie plate to attach it from underneath. To conceal the seam use a wood crayon in the correct woodtone to fill the crack. Then buff it smooth. Once you have your decorative items on it you'll hard, if at all, notice the seam.
It's a gorgeous table and would make an awesome coffee table.

I would keep looking. If it were me, the seam would bother me no matter how well camouflaged it was.

Thanks everyone. I guess what I'm asking is is there any hope of finding a round antique table that is not built for leaves. Since I haven't seen any, I'm starting to doubt it.

Someone here, can't remember who, has a table like this...hoping she will advise. She posted a thread once about replacing it with an ottoman for more comfortable tv viewing.

Someone here recently posted a thread about such a table for $10 on CL. It had some water damage she wasn't sure she could fix. Does anyone remember who it was?

I found it. It was Dana1079 that posted.

http://bham.craigslist.org/fuo/1262301548.html

Here is a link that might be useful: table

Yes, thanks. It doesn't look like that one ever had a leaf, does it? I wish I could find one like it!

Does it have to be an antique table? I see round vintage or and nearly new tables for sale on craigslist and in used furniture shops.

Honestly? The seam wouldn't bother me a bit. It's part of the 'story' about the table's former life and your vision for it's new one. Rather than people thinking you just have a cool coffee table, they'll be thinking you have a good eye and imagination.

Graywings, yes, I think it does need to be antique to get the base and patina I'd like. I haven't really seen a substitute. The one in the link in my initial post would be perfect if it were a solid top and the veneer on the base were not chipped. I can live with the chips but I'm afraid the seam is going to bug me. (Not to mention that particular table seems overpriced.)

I have a round pedestal table in my breakfast room. It's not an antique but they are available. This one happened to just the right size for that small room. No leaves and seats four. I woud keep looking.

I'm with Dlm, wouldn't bother me at all. We had one of those, when I was growing up, and I would have it in our home in a heartbeat.

The seam makes it real instead of a PB copy.

I would keep looking too -when I was looking for one, all I could find was WITHOUT a seam LOL! You could always put a piece of glass on top.

bungalow, it doesn't have a pedestal base, but does this Mission style one in the link below do anything for you? You can stain it darker..

Here is a link that might be useful: on 'our' CL

This one may be too 'dressy', but it's already a coffee table, and the price is right at $50!

Here is a link that might be useful: It's in Kittery

Thanks my3dogs. I'm not a fan of new mission style stuff, and the other is definitely too fancy for my room.

Parma, that's a great point about not PB!

The seller says the top isn't removeable on this one, so I guess I'll keep looking!

Thanks again everyone for opinions!

Have you checked ebay yet?

Here is a link that might be useful: Antique Oak Pedistal 42

another....

Here is a link that might be useful: Solid Oak Antique Round Pedestal Table

Oh my gosh, I'm in love with this one. I want it, but I have no place for it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Victorian Walnut Parlor Center Table circa 1870's

On my local CL, I see many antique tables already cut down. I just looked on yours (I think? Used the link in the OP) and found one. I think it does have a seam, though . . .do you hate it?

{{!gwi}}

I am not sure you would be in love with that finish. I see them pretty frequently around here with a darker wood-- maybe true in your area as well. I'll start keeping an eye out if there is a seam or not.

Here is a link that might be useful: CL ad

Check out this link and scroll down for a gorgeous table in a gorgeous room.

Here is a link that might be useful: ZuZu's room

justgota, I like both of those tables, but they're both local pickup. I see that both are designed for leaves. I will keep an eye on eBay...if nothing else it will help me with price and a better grasp on the leaves thing.

anele, I saw that table. If you read the description, it has a painted faux wood finish. Can't imagine why someone did that, but that nixed it for me.

And wanttoretire, I love zuzu's table!

It's really the tables with the empire style base, like the one in my link, that I like. I'm starting to think I should consider the local table after all if I can get the right price. Perhaps my partner can get it cut down somehow.

I will post a pic if we get it and get it to work.

I really like that particular table in your CL listing. The grain and shape is perfect for what you're going for.

Maybe post on the Woodworking forum. I don't see why you couldn't cut off the bottom of the pedestal and fit the rest back in the base.

I think you're going to have to compromise. Back in the early 1900s, people didn't use coffee tables so you are right in that you're going to have to find a table with a different original purpose. But also back then, family sizes were usually bigger so dining tables had leafs to accomodate everyone.

I think you've got 3 options: 1)find an antique library table (not a desk) that can be cut down to size, but it'll most likely be rectangular; 2) find a dining table and live with the seam....it is part of the table's story. Or 3) find a woodworker who can craft a new table using old time finishes. Those folks are out there but you have to search them out. Good luck.

Have you looked outside of your immediate are?

I just wanted to let you know that my SIL did the exact same thing. She bought a table very similar to what you have and she had a friend cut down the base to make it shorter.
Her table was no where near as nice as yours (meaning....not in as good shape) and she uses it on her covered porch.
It looks fabulous.
I would go with what YOU love.

BH: Th finish isn't my favorite either. I bet it was done in the '60s. It looks like the color popular then.

I think your best bet is not a dining table, but a hall table (also called a center table), a round card table, or a tea table, which won't have leaves. If you are lucky (and you like the idea), you might find a rent table, which is round and has little drawers all the way around. Search also for a drum table.
All of these are round, and you might find something that works for you.

This link shows a lovely round center table, and below the featured picture, a thumbnail to click for a Regency rent table...both expensive, and too good to cut down, I imagine, but they give you an idea of styles.

Here is a link that might be useful: Center and rent tables

parma, I agree. Something about that style and finish is just what I'm looking for.

lido, you may be right, and I think I'd rather compromise having the leaf seam than the having a different base style or woodgrain or finish on the table.

bronwynsmom, thank you for that info. In addition to the leaf thing, I think that size would probably be more suited to the scale of my room, but by definition, wouldn't those tables be more formal? What I like about the one I'm considering is that it's oak, which seems less formal, yet the style is not country-ish (not that there's anything wrong with country, just doesn't go in this house).

I emailed the seller back asking for a picture of the underside of the table to see if we could possibly cut it down and she sent me some fuzzy photos saying the top does appear to come off after all, so I think we should be able to do it. She said the diameter of the top is 45". I'm going to have to try to mock something up to see if that will look right. This is a small room with small-scale seating, so it might be too big. But the biggest question is will she come down significantly on the price; I've been looking for this table for a while now, and of course it shows up 2 weeks after I quit my job!

The crudest of mockups. This is just a SWAG at the scale. If memory serves me correctly the loveseat is only 50-ish inches wide. The chairs might be able to cozy up to the table some. And of course the baby swing won't be there forever (sadly).

Hi, bungalow! I was wondering about the size, myself.

What the dimensions of the room? Do you have some newspaper or other large pare that you could tape together and then cut a 45" circle from to lay on the floor? I think that it may be the best way to see if the size is going to be OK. If your furniture is small in scale, the table may dwarf it, although it's a beauty.

bungalow, I just saw this under 'household'. I usually just look in 'furniture'....The price is right!

Here is a link that might be useful: but it's got 4 chairs with it!

Thanks my3dogs, but I really have my heart set on an antique table. The new ones just don't do it for me for some reason. (I know this for a fact because I have the same sort of table in my dining room now. I got it when my oldest son was born and I knew we'd need a table to beat upon. When the boys get older, I will be on the hunt for an antique table for the dining room too...square I suppose.)

I will try to find 45" worth of paper today!

Fooey. I just measured and I can tell 45" is way too big. 36" would be on the big side for my room.

Thank you all for your input. The search continues...

Good luck. There are such things as 36 inch round dining tables, but my guess is they will be harder to find.

Reiterating bronwynsmom's advice, search for a 'center table'.