I agree.

My roommate gets back pain and wants a table she can stand at even if others are sitting. That's the only real reason for that decision!

then I'd start with the chairs and find some you like enough to live with. a table should be easy from there. the heavy ceiling seems to call for a thick wood, like a medieval castle! :)

Making all your guest uncomfortable so your roommate can be comfortable seems illogical. Mission Style Sets from Overstock.

Then select a small bar height table for your roommate to use.

I agree. A new restaurant opened near me and they've put in some bar height tables in the dining room as well as the actual bar. I asked to be moved after they sat us at one, then I watched every single woman who was seated at one of the tables, squirm and wiggle because their feet were dangling and there was no way they could reach the foot bar on the chairs. It wasn't a problem for the men, apparently, as their feet didn't have to dangle.

Plus, the trend is waning and they must be falling out of favor, (when people discover how uncomfortable they are) as they are practically giving them away on my craigslist and have been for several years. If you want to try one, look there; I suspect you could probably get one practically free. If it works for you and your roommate and your guests, then look into buying one (if the CL one isn't just what you want).

What about a counter height table instead as a compromise. Your roommate could still stand to eat, but the chairs wouldn't be so uncomfortable for everyone else.

This one from Wayfair would work for you I think. It's sort of contemporary, but picks up on the dark wood in your room. It's counter height.
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