Do you have photos of your room charlikin? That would really help.
Other than that I know there are such things as ones that fold on both ends to allow for only two to sit, but when open you sit six. Also one that folds to look like a buffet, but has chairs stored inside could work.

Photos of my room wouldn't help a lot since I'm replacing pretty much everything... it's all my "starter" furniture from when I was in my 20's, and I've had it quite a lot longer than I ought to have. ;-)

Basically, it's an L-shaped room where the main part is 12x19 with a picture window at one end - that's the end that's getting the sofa, chair, and media console. Then the other end extends into an L, which is supposed to be a dinette, but I use it as an office. So I'm putting the dining table in the non-L part.

The style of the room seems to be heading toward sort of the contemporary end of transitional, if that makes any sense. I'm looking at a tight-back sofa with straight arms from Crate & Barrel, a simple club chair... Haven't chosen the coffee table or end tables yet.

I saw a table like what you're describing, justgotabme, at Laytners... I actually liked it, it had the more rustic type of top that appeals to me, and it opens up to seat, oh I don't know, 100. (I could have state dinners on it, if I only had enough chairs.) It was quite pricey though - about $1200 or $1300, I think, just for the table. Ouch.

Also, not really sure I want something that's normally folded down like that. I do have room for a "real" table - just on the small side. In an even smaller room, it would be perfect.

Check out Canadel. Their tables come in many sizes and shapes, many leg and pedestal styles, and many finishes.

Here is a link that might be useful: Canadel

Well this info certainly helps since now I'm placing you with your other thread about the sofa. I'm just popping on and off the computer today since I've lots to do and our grandson(nineteen months old) is also here. He's with hubby outside right now so I snuck online. I've got more of an idea of what might work for you. I'll see what I can find next time I pop online.

Will something like the following link work? It has a butterfly leaf which stores inside the table. It will sit four to six (with leaf).

Here is a link that might be useful: Jofran Boston Brown 5 Piece Round Butterfly Leaf Table Set

Possibly this style though it has a bit of a craftman look to it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Aaron Butterfly Leaf Table

I was going to suggest Canadel, too. Suero beat me to it! I will give you their size chart. This will not be a cheap table, but the quality is supposed to be good.

I know I said you didn't want Ikea for a sofa, but I have an Ikea dining table in my summer house that has two leaves and I have been able to squeeze in eleven people! It has really served us well. Not lovely, but sturdy and flexible.

Here is a link that might be useful: Table grid with sizing

Have you considered a Gate Leg table? They fold down to a foot or so wide when not in use.

I admit, I always think vintage, but they are coming back in modern styles and brand new for apartment dwellers because they are so practical. I've added a basic link below, but there are a whole lot of other options if you search.

Here is a link that might be useful: gatelegs

The Candel's are interesting - I looked for dealers on their web site, and it looks like there are two Raymour & Flannigan's in Manhattan that carry them, so I'm going to go take a look.

That Jofran looked terrific till I saw the size - that and the Aaron are both too big at 48". (I don't think I should go bigger than 42".) But the web sites they're on look intriguing - I'm going to do some more nosing around there.

That gateleg site looks like the table I saw in Laytner's - I may go back and take a second look at it.

Thanks, everyone!!!

They also sell Canadel at Stickley Audi in Manhattan.

I would start with Craigslist before buying new . . .SO many tables, and no one can usually get back what they paid for it new (unless it was vintage or antique) so you get some really good deals. You may have to wait/look for a few weeks or so, but the $ you save will probably be worth it.

I just sold my table that fit into an even smaller (12 X 11!) dining room. It was oval table that seated 6 with no leaves in it, but had 2 extra leaves. Because it was oval, it felt spacious while sitting yet didn't overwhelm the room. It was teak (from Dania-- don't know if you have that in NYC) and even with my children doing projects, was resistant to dings and scratches.

I needed a small table that could extend to a large one for my space. I hunted high and low and found exactly what I wanted from a Canadian company called Dinec. They have an excellent website, dinec.com

The quality is terrific, solid wood. On their website you can "make" your own table. They will build to your specs. You can mix and match legs, tops, apron styles, etc. You can then find a local dealer. I bought mine at Flemington Department Store in NJ. My table, which extends from 5 feet to 10 feet (yes, we have big dinner parties and I wanted to seat 12 comfortably) had the smoothest most easy to use mechanism and leaf system. It also has a 5th leg for extra support when fully extended. The tables in stores like Bassett, Thomasville, etc. didn't extend long enough for my needs, plus they didn't have the extra tough table top finishes that I needed...don't want to worry about water rings and what not. The Dinec table is very tough.

They have a wide variety of finishes. I was buying sight unseen, the store had little itty bitty wood samples and ONE of their tables, and not the style or color I was interested in. So I contacted the company in Canada and I have to say, they helped guide my choice very nicely.

When the table finally arrived, I was thrilled with the results. It is not a cheap product, but luckily the store was having an amazing President's Day sale. The table, which would ordinarily have been about $2300 (and was that, and even more at other dealers...I checked!) was on sale for about $1500. This is a table that will last several lifetimes and will probably only get better with age.

I didn't buy chairs from Dinec, just the table. I already had chairs I wanted to use plus I don't like matching stuff.

Oh, I have no financial or other interest in this company. Just a satisfied customer!

I had a Canadel for many years. Very sturdy and the finish wasn't harmed by wet glasses, etc. My sister has it now and it's still going strong.

In a small space, I'd recommend a pedestal table, if you can find one you like. Because there are no legs at the edge of the table, it is easier to seat people and to squish in one extra chair if necessary.

I have a Canadel in my small kitchen. The rectangle worked best for me in my space. Day to day it's just the three of us but it could easily accommodate two small side chairs to seat 6. I got the antique finish so I would not have to worry about dings. I love the finish. We use it daily with place mats and so far so good.

This is all great information! I've just spent some quality time on the Canadel web site and found a couple of stores in my area that carry them. I'm going to look at the other companies too.

Interesting point about the pedestal table... I usually like legs style-wise, but being able to squeeze in a fifth person sounds useful...

Dining table, here I come!!!