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gaymax

How big was my mistake?

last month

My dining room chairs were getting very wobbly and I found these chairs that I loved the look of. I measured width, depth and height of the back, but neglected to check the height of the arms. They would not go under my table and DH managed to raise the legs and gained an inch, but the chairs still only scoot under a few inches. Of course,I bought from a store with NO RETURNS in big letters. The table from floor to underneath needs to be 29 inches to push the chairs under. What’s my best option? I need to keep table and chairs under the 9 x 12 rug.
1} Ditch the chairs and eat the cost? Ouch!
2} Find a new table? Not easy
3} Live with it?

Comments (79)

  • PRO
    last month

    Just depends on look you want and your budget?

  • last month

    I do like the upholstered armless chairs. I’m tending to buying more modern recently. Looking from the living room, looking from the kitchen and approximate dimensions. The DH raised the legs and was ready to cut off the apron. I think the extension hardware would have shown.

  • last month

    That would ruin that table forever… If it doesn’t work for you pass it along to somebody and replace it with something that is more your style. I’m glad you are getting an exchange because the chairs are too large for the space anyway.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Interesting! My traditional two-pedestal table (with 2 leaves) does not have an apron. Which I really like because you do get more knee space and space to cross your legs.

    Too lazy to get up and take a current photo, but you can see the table profile in this older photo in my previous house.

    My table was designed this way, so I'm not sure how it would affect the structure of your table if you removed the apron. Just wanted to show you that this style of table is also made with no apron.

    I've had the table and chairs for 27 years, but the chairs were reupholstered about 13 years ago.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Thank you for posting photos of your kitchen and living room. I would choose more contemporary or modern chairs--in the correct scale. (I know Flo can help you with that.) Straighter lines would look very nice with your table, imo. It's not a formal dining room, so something a little more casual fits with adjacent rooms. Again, imo. I like mixing wood colors, too. To show an example, below is an image of the chairs I want to use with a cherry table. I have an open plan similar to yours.



  • PRO
    last month

    I think upholstered chairs in a performance velvet would be lovely. A medium blue shade would be perfect. I am so glad he didn’t remove the apron. Yes, this type table was done without the apron. Usually, they were double pedestal too.

  • PRO
    last month
    last modified: last month

    Mmmmmmm

    I would not cling to the table .

    Some editing is in order - its fine to be eclectic, but not to the point of ” what is happening here!?

    .We need a much improved sketch / all the familly room. :)

  • last month

    Here’s a better drawing, I hope. I don’t mind changing tables. This one has hosted many family dinners for 40 years. The lady I gave the chairs to may like to have it also.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    edited

    Jan, I don't understand your comment: [I]ts fine to be eclectic, but not to the point of "what is happening here!?" People with beautiful homes mix in one or more pieces that tell a story. I just saw a tour of a designer's home in which she'd added antiques, each from a different period. I was envious! Maybe I'm missing your point?

    In fact, I've been encouraged by my Houzz "team" with two Pros to do just that, adding something personal that has a story. Going for a "collected" look and feel. (Side note: Just today, after having recently rearranged my living area, I realized I now have room for one of the few heirlooms I have. Everything else in the open plan has straight lines. I'm almost ecstatic!)

    Gaymax, you can, of course, change tables if that's what you want. Maybe that would be the right choice for you. If I had a table with forty years of family history, I'd want to continue using it! That's so special!

  • last month

    There’s a lot to think about now. I love those roomandboard chairs!

  • last month

    I do, too, Gaymax! Do you like Flo's suggestion of a blue performance velvet?

  • PRO
    last month

    How many people do you need to sit at the table? From your drawing, a 60” round table with 4-6 chairs for everyday that could expand for holidays to seat8/10 might be ideal. I love my antiques. I have 4 French armoires that have served many roles in our homes for many years. But in your space, the table is key. The pros of round tables are: ease of walking around with layout like yours; easy to configure chairs for open look, a leaf in a round table turns it into an oval table to seat more people and creates nice conversation spacing. If you need seating, pay close attention to the width of the front edge of the chairs. This becomes your “limiting” factor when chairs are pushed under the table. Very important. No more than 18”. Less if possible. The cons of round tables with leafs, they are a bit harder to find; they can be a bit more expensive depending on the base. In your space, a round is easier to walk around when moving from living room to kitchen. I have designed one of our homes with this configuration with an antique French round table. Loved it. Set it up for everyday with just 4 chairs (two off in corners) and with two leaves set it up for 8-9 people. Worked really well.

  • last month


    Is this complete dining set the one you can get for the same price as the chairs? Love it! I think it would look very nice in your space.

  • last month

    It is. The table extends to seat 8 or 10. My husband loves the table.

  • last month

    Flo, We did consider a round table. I wondered if a 60 inch would fit. I’ve considered cutting out a circle to try brown paper

  • last month

    The table is fabulous. So many possibilities.


    Here are just a few:



    Really elegant, classic table... And could be a high-end eclectic look. Versus the “All this stuff could be thrown out next week and nobody would miss it look.” ;)


  • PRO
    last month

    Love the blue chairs. So pretty with other elements. Totally agree on keeping that table.

  • PRO
    last month

    If he loves the table, end of story. Keep it. You can find perfect chairs.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    I interpreted OP's statement differently, Flo. I think her husband likes the new table they saw at the store where they have credit. Amanda posted it today.

  • last month

    He loves the new, but looking at these pictures we will probably keep the old. I thought “what a pretty dining room” but then “that’s mine”! 🤣

  • PRO
    last month

    Haha, funny! Your rug is gorgeous too--so classic, and beautiful colors.

  • last month

    Yes--- I came to comment that your rug is absolutely beautiful.

    I think the examples of your (Current) table with any iteration of th chairs that Freedom posed look great. Does at store possibly have similar chairs?

  • last month

    Funny 😆 and awesome! 🤗 Your rug is indeed gorgeous! How had I not noticed? With all the colors, you have many possibilities for chair fabric. If you still like the Room and Board chairs--because you said you've been leaning more into modern--I can insert them as Freedom did. (Beautiful job, Freedom!) Do you want to bring in blue from the living area, or would you prefer another color? I'll put in a medium blue, just to give you a taste of that. Then it will be easy to switch to any color you want.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    Changed my mind. I used a color from Room and Board. [edited In my non-pro opinion, I really like the contrasting wood color. That's what I'm doing in my dining area. When I showed it on my post, months ago, the pros and my other Houzz friends liked it, too.



    However, as Salonva asked, maybe the store has similar chairs, assuming you'd like to use your credit.

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    This is the chair from the store photo. I think AI guessed at the back style. Your store is likely to have a chair more similar to the one from Room and Board, if you still like that.


  • last month

    The rug is gorgeous and the table compliments it perfectly. And it also has a family history. I would not be wasting money on a new table anytime soon. The chairs in dark wood with the fabric choices that have been posted here complement it perfectly.

  • last month

    These are both lovely and the blue is a softer less high contrast look. Depends on what’s available at your store for exchange however. Didn’t you say the white is available?

  • last month

    I am overwhelmed with how kind you all are to take time to share your talents with me. I’m going to the store today to see if I can look at a catalogue.

  • PRO
    last month

    Good luck today. Try not to just “settle”! 🤞

  • last month
    last modified: last month

    I was wrong about the Room and Board colors; I just needed to click for more. Not trying to push this company, but showing these because you said you liked them. I'll stop now. 😉

    First one may be the one I showed you. I'm not sure. Color should be as in the second photo. Both were done in same color by R&B.





  • last month

    That’s a beautiful color! Both styles look good to me.

  • PRO
    last month

    The first chair is more modern and possibly a bit lower back. That’s good considering your open floor plan. The second one is a bit more “transitional” with a slightly higher back. The legs are more substantial and that fights a little bit with the base of your table. I think the first or top choice is best.

  • last month

    That’s a good point about the legs on the chair Flo…I would not have thought of that. The less heavy legs let the table structure shine. I wonder if you are keeping the table? Any decision on that yet?

  • last month

    Yesterday: "we will probably keep the old"



  • last month


    Maybe something simmilar? Will give you more transitional design.

  • last month

    I had to compromise to be able to use the store credit. They had no colors-but just a basic parsons chair. And they wonder why people buy everything on line. No delivery. I’ll get them next week and post pictures.

  • last month

    Following

  • last month

    I think a Parsons chair would work well with your table.

  • last month

    That's why I needed to see the underside of the table - obviously, the way your table was constructed prevents the shortening of the apron. There is a few different ways to extend the height of each of the pedestals - however, I don't think it's worth the time/effort vs. purchasing different chairs. I was just trying to come up with a solution that would allow you to use the chairs that you had purchased already (my comment was before you let us know that the store agreed to let you return them for a credit).

  • last month

    Dani, All advice is appreciated. It helps to think of different ways to approach the dilemma.

  • 12 days ago


    I love this look combining the slightly contemporary with the traditonal gorgeous table.

  • 7 days ago

    Thank you all again for the good advice.

  • 7 days ago

    The rug is gorgeous! This whole look is inviting and elegant.

  • 7 days ago

    Great improvement! Love the chairs.

  • 7 days ago

    Very nice. Much better scale and the chairs look comfortable.

  • 7 days ago

    Oh no, I feel this one this is such a common (and painful) mistake because everyone measures width/depth/back height, but arm height and clearance-under-the-table almost never make it onto the checklist until it's too late. You're definitely not alone in this.

    Given your situation, here's how I'd think through your three options:

    Option 3 (live with it) is worth reconsidering first before writing it off, check if you can raise the table itself instead of (or in addition to) the chairs. Some tables have adjustable or add-on leg extenders/risers (usually $15-30 a set) that can add 1-2 inches combined with the inch you already gained on the chairs, that might just be enough to clear 29 inches. Worth measuring exactly how many inches short you still are before ruling this out.

    Option 1 (ditch the chairs) is the most expensive but at least it's a clean fix if you go this route, definitely measure arm height AND clearance under your specific table this time (not just back/width/depth), and ideally test-sit at the store or ask for exact arm-height specs before buying, since "no returns" policies make this a one-shot decision.

    Option 2 (new table) honestly might be less painful than it sounds if your current table isn't a huge investment a table with slightly higher apron/skirt clearance would solve this permanently regardless of what chairs you own in the future.

    One thing that might help going forward for any furniture buying (not just this): always measure the tightest constraint, not just the obvious dimensions for chairs it's arm height vs. table apron height, for sofas it's usually doorway clearance vs. overall depth. I wrote about this exact "measure the wrong thing" trap in a couch-buying context here, might be a useful mental checklist either way: https://smartdecoretips.com/custom-general-couches/

    Really sorry about the no-returns policy though, that's brutal timing. Hope the leg-riser trick saves you the extra shopping!

  • 7 days ago

    looks super nice!

  • PRO
    7 days ago

    wow, what a difference--those chairs work so well with the table and the beautiful rug! Enjoy!

  • PRO
    7 days ago

    Very nice combo with chairs leaning transitional, gorgeous rug and beautiful table. You nailed it! And hope your costs were in line with deal with store?

  • 6 days ago

    I am very pleased with how it’s turned out. I just needed some guidance to get there. They are comfortable and cost less than the others. I still have a $500 store credit!

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