COSTCO

http://www.costco.com/dining-collections.html

Anonymous wrote:We have loved this table. People ask me where I got it all the time. I keep one of the two leaves in it all the time. Best part is that it was inexpensive so it's fine for the kids to paint on it, write on it with paper and pens, put hot or wet things on it. The wood is a bit soft, but it just adds to the patina. Love not worrying about it. It is solid wood.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60152340/

Not the OP, but I have a question about this kind of expandable table that doesn't pull apart from the middle. by only extending the ends past the legs, can you really get a chair on the end or will the last chair have the table leg in it's way?

Anonymous wrote:Are the tables from Belfort real wood?

The Canadel is solid birch. I suppose they may have stuff that isn't, I've never noticed it.

We have loved this table. People ask me where I got it all the time. I keep one of the two leaves in it all the time. Best part is that it was inexpensive so it's fine for the kids to paint on it, write on it with paper and pens, put hot or wet things on it. The wood is a bit soft, but it just adds to the patina. Love not worrying about it. It is solid wood.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60152340/

Are the tables from Belfort real wood?

Bassett

Another vote for Belfort. We bought this set and added the bench: http://www.belfortfurniture.com/item.aspx?itemid=1024970527&itemnum=KG-TA-4290B-RAI-C%2b4xCH-735C-RAI
The table legs are traditional - the chairs are more contemporary. We had the same wish list - transitional style, seats 6+, affordable. Chairs are very heavy/sturdy. Chair pads are faux leather, but they look nice and clean really easily.

It seats 6-8 as is - if you open the butterfly leaf (i.e., it is stored in the table itself, folded underneath), it seats 8-10. We ordered a piece of glass for the top to protect the finish since we have young kids.

Got the whole set (table, six chairs, bench, with delivery) for $1500. Not heirloom furniture, but nicer quality than some of the Pottery Barn furniture we've bought over the years. Had it for more than a month and so far, so good.

Anonymous wrote:OP here - thank you! I really like the things from that Etsy shop. And we'll be checking out Balfort - I didn't realize you could get so specific at the brick and mortar stores.

Really appreciate the help. Have to go with a rectangle because of the shape of the room, and extendable due to the size of the extended family

In the Belfort collection, you could probably find a round or oval table is that is also extendable if you wanted that. We went with boatshape, just a little softer than a straight rectangle.

OP here - thank you! I really like the things from that Etsy shop. And we'll be checking out Balfort - I didn't realize you could get so specific at the brick and mortar stores.

Really appreciate the help. Have to go with a rectangle because of the shape of the room, and extendable due to the size of the extended family

I find a round table cozier.

Ask them to show you transitional styles. I second Belfort.

You might also go traditional/basic with the table and chairs, but get two very stylish chairs for the heads of the table. This way you're not committed too much to any one style but you get to add some flair and trend.

My husband and I had exactly the same issue. We went to Belfort and found a Canadel dining set that was completely customizable - you can choose the size, shape, finish color, leg style, table edge style, chair backs, upholstery (or no), etc., and there are plenty of options to choose from in each category. It ended up being incredibly easy to pick a set we both loved when we could find a compromise on each design feature, rather than trying to find one pre-determined set of design features we both liked.

We got a table from this place and love it. I think it fits all of your requirements, and they'll custom size it for you:

https://www.etsy.com/shop/hedgehouse

I love Crate and Barrel's Big Sur. I doubt it's extendable, though. Some of the Room and Board extendable tables are nice.

My wife likes traditional, I like modern. We're trying to find something that we both can live with - something in the middle. I've been absolutely scouring the internet, but I can't find anything. Any suggestions? Or suggestions of places to look?

Requirements:
-rectangular
-extendable