Since it's an open floor plan, should the bar chairs match the dining chairs? If I get the white parsons chairs, should I get 7? four for the dining, and the 3 for the bar? I may first try reupholstering the dining chairs... not sure...

I think using all Parson chairs may be too much but in all honesty, I'm not a fan of the Parson's chairs. Mainly because they just seem sort of bland. If it were me, I'd probably use an updated version of the chairs you have and add some color with the fabric I reupholstered them in. Ignore the bright green in this pic and focus just on the table and chairs. To me, the fabric really brings the set to life.

Or you could mix and match, but instead of parson's chairs have you considered something like these? They're similar but different. Mixed and matched with an updated version of the chairs you have and I think it would look very nice. They could also work if you had parson's chairs for the counter. What's the height of the bar?

You described you house as "modern Craftsman" ... I'm not seeing that at all from the interior photos you posted. If you like the table and it is of good quality, then it makes a lot of sense to keep it ... stuff just isn't made with the same quality any more, even when you pay up for the premium brands. Your current chairs are of much higher quality than the Parsons chairs, so I would spend my money on having them reupholstered.

Ditto everything chispa said.

Yeah, I didn't notice the craftsman either...its got a traditional feel to it but more modern, it's nice though. I noticed the pillow on the sofa has a stripe with some aqua in it. I don't know if that's a color you want to incorporate but say you did. You could use the cream parsons for your counter and maybe reupholster the chairs using a fabric like this.

The height of the bar is counter, where I have sort of Parsons chairs... I need a new couch I know to fit better in this space (sofa and love seat), I like the colors, though which are rust, brown and blue... if I cover the chairs, and I like the blue striped swatch by the way, should I recover all of them (there are 8)? Or only the 4 at the table? I don't have much room to add the other larger ones you posted, as I have a piano in the corner behind the dining table, which I could move to a guest bedroom... but so far is in this corner... Thanks!

If you do not want the chairs I will take them! I think they are lovely. Maybe the table is what is not working? I do not think they need to match the barstools at all. I think the parson chairs go with many styles.

I understand about space, I would keep the piano where it is. I would also upholster all the chairs, even though you may not need all 8 now, who knows, you may later. Glad you like the swatch, it was just a good example of how you can marry the parsons chairs with the chairs you have. In other words, you don't HAVE to have parsons chairs at the table in order for the ones at the bar to work. Using a fabric that has the color of the chairs in it, will help bring it all together.

It seems like you have several areas in the room that you want to work on, what you should do at this point is put together a board with all your choices on it so you'll know everything will work well once it's done. Find the sofa you want, make a decision about the chairs (and the table for that matter) choose your fabrics and colors and so on. Then execute it. Otherwise you run a serious risk of remorse when things don't work out the way you expected them to.

I personally don't think the bar stools need to match the dining room chairs. That said, I had the white parson stools when my boys were little.....They were leather but so bad at catching crumbs and being touched by sticky hands. I now have wrought iron stools by my bar and wood chairs for the dining room....I did upholster the seats to match. Red leather for the stool seats and red upholstery material for the chair seats.

I love the chairs you have, and my guess is they are probably comfortable. That's so important. I also like your piano there. Barstools do not have to match. Have some fun with new fabric if you are looking for a way to change things up a bit.

A board sounds so professional.... do you use a regular bulletin type board? I've seen them now on computers too, not sure how to start.... but yes would probably be a good idea to keep all my thoughts together... here are pillows from Restoration hardware years ago, to give a rough idea of upholstering chairs. they're a bit bland, but I tent to like things subtle, ... and the kitchen granite is busy, so I'm always trying to down play everything else....

here's another angle.... I love the ideas I'm hearing .... I don't have
kids, but dogs, so no down-to-the floor slip covers for me... or a white
sofa, (though the beige leather couch in tv room seems to hold up) ...

If the table has value, I would keep it and recover the chairs to give them an update. I think parson chairs with that table would make the table look more out of place rather than tying it in. I'd look for a fabric with black in it to tie in the piano, counter stools and pendants. I would then lower the chandelier and decide whether it should stay, get a facelift (remove some of the crystals, change the candle sleeve color to black or gold, paint the frame) or be replaced.

I'd keep the dining set since it holds memories for you. It looks like you could use two fabrics on your chairs - one on the front and seat and another coordinating fabric on the back of the chairs. If you wanted to tie it in with your living space have pillows made for the sofa or chairs out of the fabric used for the backs. I agree that you should consider lowering your chandelier. It seems a little high. I'd also consider hanging drapery panels on each side of your windows in the dining room. It will make that space feel more finished and special. I know this might seem picky but you should consider cutting down your rods over the doors in your living space. The ends shouldn't extend that far. I agree with lukkiirish that you should consider putting together a board or a folder with samples/ideas for the rooms. Since you have an open floor plan the colors,prints, and textures need to compliment each other for a more cohesive look. I keep mine in folders according to rooms and when working on them I lay everything out on the table. That way I'm able to see how everything works together. It's really kind of fun!