You may not be able to get a matching 42" dinette set w/buffet, but that's not an issue as the "matchy-matchy" is less popular now anyway. So look at the table and chairs and then get a buffet that either blends or contrasts with the table and chairs. I'd also look at vintage, esp for the table, as you can get some quality stuff at reasonable prices. The chairs also can be purchased separately.

Maybe look at something amish?

I was going to suggest looking for a vintage claw foot quarter-sawn oak table on Craigslist. They come up all the time and are beautiful and wonderful tables.

I know nothing about the quality, but you might try Canadel. It looks like they do have some 42" pedestal tables. Go to their website to find a dealer in your area. You can pick the finish, leg style, etc.. They also have chairs and buffets.

I would suggest looking at Amish tables. The dealers generally have a number of catalogs to chose from and you will see the same or similar workshops and options at different dealers, so if there is one near you, you may want to start there. If not, there are some online and I found them very helpful. I was looking at one but found a local wood worker who can custom make our table for us and give us a different option altogether. Haven't ordered yet, but we plan to go with that one.

Here's one example -- 42" ball pedestal with optional extensions

And another -- 42" footed pedestal table with optional extensions

Pedestal options may be limited because the base has to be sunstantail enough to hold the top and anything you put on it as well as people pushing on the edge, and some of the options get out o proportion with smaller tops. And then if you want extensions, you add more issues to the equation.

Here is a table I also liked -- not a pedestal, but a curved leg that looks nice both as a round table and when extended. 42" curved leg table

With a simple style like that, you should be able to find a buffet, server or such that will work with it and that should be easier to find resale/vintage. Hope that helps.

Yeah, as I said I've already priced Amish for what I want--a cherry set--and unfortunately it came to nearly 7000. with shipping, delivery, etc. Over my budget. I will look at Canadel but I think I may have to scale my expectations down. I really do want cherry or cherry finish. Craigslist is indeed full of oak antiques but I just left a 100 year old Craftsman home and sold most of my oak antiques to start over in a new place. Am really trying to update my style!

Are you even looking? That middle table plus extensions in cherry runs about $1200. Add 4 chairs at $200 or less per chair and you have used only half of your budget. Adjust if you pick a pricier chair. Shipping is $199 per order. Sideboards start in the $500 range or you can find something locally -- new or resale. You should be able to have money left over.

http://www.wayfair.com/Cherry-Grove-New-Generation-5-Piece-Dining-Set-091-701-WW2927.html

42" is really small for an extension table.

I don't know the current pricing, but Nichols & Stone has always had nice pieces.

I just saw you mention that you were looking at the Carlisle table (not a pedestal, but the third table I lined above) and it is similarly priced. What kind of buffet are you looking at? Are you wanting a hutch? With a smaller table and room, be careful not to overwhelm them.

Thanks lascatx. Yes, I AM looking and appreciate the feedback! Sorry to frustrate you! I do have some ideas in mind but find the several you posted not to my liking. I very much like the Carlisle table; however, after much back and forth was informed by several Amish companies that it is very uncomfortable for 4 people to sit at it due to the chunky and intrusive legs. I'm just so glad that several companies were quite honest about this as it was not a problem I even thought of! Next I discovered that Canal Dover Amish makes the same table only with a bit scaled down legs due to the problem; they call theirs the Richmond. The Richmond in cherry runs at least $1200. more than the Carlisle I was originally looking at. So I'm back looking for a table that really attracts me and still debating on paying the now-huge amount for the Amish set I want. With the Richmond table I am looking at the Kimberly chairs and the Carlisle sofa table (this is just a small buffet and serves that purpose). And yes, I am very much aware of the need not to overwhelm my tiny space. I really wish I could get a 48" because there are so many options in that size. But I cannot. So the search goes on!

I wondered about those legs when I saw them pictured on a smaller table. I was looking at that with a 54" top. Did they say the legs were an issue even on a lager top? I looked up the Richmond -- not sure I'm seeing a difference worth $1200. It's still a lot of legs.

What is the size of your room? Do you need the extensions? That limits choices too.

Like you, I wanted a round table with leaves, but we found a furniture maker we really like who does nice work. HE said he would do everything in his power to talk us out of a pedestal with extensions. He said the physics involved just make it impossible to give you the stability needed to be happy with table and leaves over the years. He didn't refuse to build one, but he gave full warning and said a solid table as large as you can use is generally a better option. He suggested a legged table if we had to have leaves. Just passing that along.

If you want to check out his work to see if you get any ideas, here is the link to his table photos. His site says he ships within the US. I liked that urn pedestal and possibly the turned base on the oval table, but we settled on one not pictured there. I tried but was not able to attach a photo of it. It's somewhat similar to this base but with three legs instead of four -- and prettier. ;)

One other place you might want to look is Custommade dot com. It's like Etsy on steroids. At least what I looked at there, but I saw tables for several hundred dollars and tables over $10,000. Most were more reasonable, but you can limit your search by price, location, etc. Hope something there helps.

Ethan Allen has one that you can customize with many finishes.

Here's an off-the-wall suggestion that worked for me until I could find exactly the furniture I wanted that fit into my budget. I used an inexpensive, but sturdy, restaurant-type pedestal table with a floor-length cloth. You could buy the chairs you like and the buffet and then save up for the table of your choice.

Cassandra - I know exactly what you are going through. I have a 42" expandable pedestal oval table that desperately needs replacing. I have been looking for 4 years for one. We can't go to 48" because we just don't have the room.

We have an added problem of our sons being 6'4" and long-legged so that we have to be cognizant of the height from the floor to the bottom of any apron-front that may be on the table. Tables that have hidden leaves in them don't work for us. Good Luck in your hunt.

Does it have to be new? Or have you considered a furniture consignment store? I see gorgeous round tables all the time in the ones where I live as well as some beautiful buffets at some amazing prices. It took me two years to find a buffet that fit my vision. Be patient, you'll know it when you see it.