I think you may want to try one on one of your chairs- it may be uncomfortable, as dining room chairs are usually designed for use without a pillow.

Thank you for your advice, Shannon, and that makes perfect sense. The fabric I'd like to incorporate is this one: http://search.kravet.com/Kravet-Print-Light-Blue/SOMERSET.516-400/CoverInformation.aspx. It's a cotton/linen mix with 3,000 double rub durability. With that, do you have a suggestion for the way I could use it in the room? Fabricate the back of the chairs (with kids, the seats will need to be more durable)? Use it for head chairs only? Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! :)

I love your back of the chairs idea, depending on your chair style, but I think it looks really polished and special.