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ruthpets

Suggestions for dining set

10 years ago

This was my grandparents' breakfront that my grandmother saved up for over many years. It was given to me and although not in perfect condition, I just can't part with it. My heart won't let me! My problem is finding a dining table to go along with it, not really matchy matchy but something that would play well with it. Need chairs, too. Need something that can set 8 and can extend to 10-12. I would greatly appreciate any ideas :)

Comments (17)

  • 10 years ago

    I cannot offer a suggestion but that is a beautiful cabinet and the fact that it came from your GM is awesome. Is that your current DR?That is some awesome wallpaper! Can you tell me where it is from?


    ruthpets thanked Anne
  • 10 years ago

    It's pretty. I love doing the house in things that hold memories for us. Look for something that goes with either the shapes in the muntins...maybe something with a portrait back on the chairs and look for wood tones that are similar or would coordinate with the dark tones in the wood.

    ruthpets thanked Annie Deighnaugh
  • 10 years ago

    That's beautiful! What does the rest of your furniture look like? Would you like an eclectic effect or would you prefer all the dining room furniture to be the same general style?

  • 10 years ago

    The table there now seems to work as far as wood tone.

  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    nice piece!

    the oval table that is there is fine, but i think i would try to find a rectangular table to go with it in a color just a bit darker than the table in the picture... trestle tables are nice if you sometimes have crowds around the table because then you don't need to worry about chairs/people's knees hitting the table legs when squeezing in people at the ends.

    lots of chairs could look nice with it- there are so many different styles!

  • 10 years ago

    I just love that breakfront.

    Since I was just looking at Ballard yesterday, this comes to mind.

    Paired with upholstered chairs - (at least the end chairs if you can't do all)


    Not sure how you feel about doing something fun with the breakfront, but I like this look -- NOTE: NOT PAINTING IT -- JUST DOING SOMETHING WITH THE INSIDE:


    You can use wallpaper, fabric etc. I've always wanted to do this with a hutch I have. I still might, as I love the look. But for yours, I would do something subtle - without too much contrast.

    However - it's beautiful as is.


    ruthpets thanked jpmom
  • 10 years ago

    What's wrong with the dining room table in the photo? As for the shape, I like oval tables because in tight situations you are less likely to bump up against a hard corner. However, if your dining room is big enough, not an issue. Mine have always been small. I am inheriting a dark, albeit beautiful wood dining room table. However, I almost always like a tablecloth on a dining room table because it adds color. So I'd be less concerned about the style of the table as I would be by the design of the table with regards to extending it. But that's me. How often will you use all the seating and be extending the table? Does it need to go from small to large or do you have enough room for just a large table?

    ruthpets thanked l pinkmountain
  • 10 years ago
    last modified: 10 years ago

    Gorgeous cabinet! I immediately thought of a Duncan Phyfe/Sheraton/Federal style table:

    The chair backs in the set above echo the pattern on the breakfront glass doors.
    I found this image on Google. Wish I could find an overhead view of the table. I bet the wood grain pattern is spectacular.

    ruthpets thanked zmith
  • 10 years ago

    Thanks everyone for your help & suggestions - much appreciated!

    Anne - the wallpaper is "Spiro" by Burke Decor. I fell in love with it - my husband was...uneasy about it, thought it kinda wafted of Brady Bunch. But it looks amaaaazing and I have gotten tons of compliments :)


    smith -- Wow! You know your stuff because that (first pic) was THE EXACT DR set my grandmother had with the breakfront!!! Sadly, it was abused and and literally fell apart...


    As for what I have already: I have nothing against my good ole PB set that is there but the picture doesn't accurately convey how out of scale it is in the room. It literally looks like a bar of soap floating in a bathtub. It came with only one leaf and maybe it's possible to just buy another...? Never really looked into that upon reflection!

    And although I don't entertain *overly* often, I really want something for 8 people, with ability to expand. My husband has a large Greek family soI'd like to accommodate without always having to drag out the collapsible picnic table...

    busy bee -- I def have thought about a trestle table - that's has been my thought for awhile. Just not sure where to look, what color to go with, as I'd like to concentrate on the browner color of the breakfront not the red tone.


    JP mom - TY for pointing out the Ballard suggestion, I really love that table, not sure why it hasn't come to my attention, considering how many times I look thru the Ballard catalogs. And I have thought of possibly mirroring the backs of the shelves of the hutch. Like a mercury glass kind look. As I write this, I think it might sound like a tacky idea but IRL...? I might experiment with a random mirror tile to see the look. TY for the pictures of the hutches!


    Again, thanks everyone!

  • 10 years ago

    Oops - cry - yes, I'm more on the eclectic side of decorating and am open to a mix of furniture, except for something OVERLY modern or industrial. I love clean lines but not anything too spare, if that makes sense...


  • 10 years ago

    Zsmith, my best friends had that exact dining room table for years but they also used it as their primary eating space. It took quite a beating and didn't seem to hold up all that well. But they used it for literally everything! Crafts, parties, game night, etc. I know their daughter pitched a fit when they finally got a new table, she loved the old one so much. But the top was falling off! Anyway, they literally got it for free from someone cleaning out their folks house. Look at some antique places and on Craigslist, I'll bet you can find something. I think your best bet with that hutch is to look for something like you describe--simple with clean lines, if you go for something new.

    ruthpets thanked l pinkmountain
  • 10 years ago

    How ironic is it that I picked a picture of the exact table your grandmother had! I've always been a fan of that style table. Sounds like it didn't hold up to heavy use, tho, which is unfortunate. A good one with some life left might not be easy to find. I too was going to suggest Craigslist. In my area that style comes up frequently and at bargain prices.

    ruthpets thanked zmith
  • 10 years ago

    Finding one that is not shot might be a little tricky. But one never knows. Some people have dining room sets that see very little use over the years.

    ruthpets thanked l pinkmountain
  • 10 years ago

    Oh my, your cabinet is beautiful. I agree with Zsmith in table and chair choices.

    ruthpets thanked Holly- Kay
  • 10 years ago

    Definitely keep us posted when you find that ideal table! :)

    ruthpets thanked l pinkmountain
  • 10 years ago

    Will do :)