What do you think of this dining room set? (mirror, granite, laminate)

[Hopes]

I love almost everything about this set except the fabric on the chairs, the mirrors in the back of the cabinet and the glass table top.

I can change the fabric and eliminate the glass in the cabinet, but is there something I can do about the glass table top?

Dining Room Table, 6 Chairs and Hutch

[findinghope]

so i assume you also want to get rid of the wood detail in the glass table that matches the chairs?

the only thing that comes to mind at the moment is either tiles which you would have to stick to maybe a piece of plywood in a pattern you like and then insert into the edge the glass is resting on. or a piece of solid serface, either wood, granite or laminate cut to size. for instance a thin countertop materal would work.

[findinghope]

also if you want to get rid of the mirror in the back of the cabinet, you can paint it. i suppose you can do that with the glass all around too. but i would keep that--its a very pretty set.

[Blinx]

Hmmm. LOVE the chairs -- the back is really unique. Agree with you about the fabric.

Honestly, I would try to mix and match -- find another hutch and table that go with the chairs -- are there several lines from the same manufacturer?

For a hutch, I would prefer an actual hutch -- little counter top with shelves/cabinets above and below. Or something up on legs. Even if you got rid of the mirror, I think I'd still prefer wood shelves.

[desertsun41]

Your buns might be comfortable on those seats but that back will be very rough on your back. They won't be chairs one can spend much time on before wanting to crash on the sofa,

[Kibbiekat]

I like it ok, but you might just keep looking for something you like better. I'd be afraid of ruining it in the process of making those changes.

[Caladium]

^^ Agreed. Unless you're an expert with tools, it's going to be difficult to cut tile or pieces of plywood to fit those spaces perfectly. Better to just find something you like from the get go.

[Rowen]

Originally Posted by Kibbiekat

I like it ok, but you might just keep looking for something you like better. I'd be afraid of ruining it in the process of making those changes.

Originally Posted by Caladium

^^ Agreed. Unless you're an expert with tools, it's going to be difficult to cut tile or pieces of plywood to fit those spaces perfectly. Better to just find something you like from the get go.

Agree with the above posts. It is a pretty set but do you really want to spend alot of money on it when you don't like some major things about it like the mirror on the back of the hutch and the glass tabletop? I think you should keep looking.

[kayanne]

I don't normally like glass top tables, but with the curved wood pieces beneath the glass, I think it's beautiful. But if you hate the glass, perhaps it could be painted with one of those kits that are for refinishing formica countertops. They have a granite look and various other looks. Or possibly paint or adhere something to the bottom side of the glass? If you painted the underneath side, you wouldn't have to worry about it getting scratched by plates, etc.

I think it's a truly lovely set (other than the fabric, which of course can easily be changed). I'd go for it!!

[Hopes]

Thanks for the responses!

I wish I could wait for the perfect set that doesn't need to be changed. That will require buying new. My local Craig's List doesn't often have quality furniture. My region is very frugal. People don't buy new stuff until it's outdated or destroyed. This set is in one of the city's more elite townships, where Theresa Heinz and John Kerry live.

If I was putting it in a dining room, the glass top wouldn't bother me because the inlay is gorgeous. I'm trying to find a big table for my very large kitchen I am currently remodeling. The glass top just won't look right there. I was hoping I could make it less fussy.

What I love about it is the chairs and the cabinet. If I eliminate the mirrored back and added wood shelves, I'd use the cabinet as a bookcase in my family room. I like the idea of using the chairs with a different table, but I'm not paying $1500 for chairs and a cabinet, especially since it will be very difficult to find a table that would look good with the chairs.

There's only one other set for sale right now that I like: Dining Room Set I only like the table and chairs, not the china cabinet since I don't need a china cabinet. Of course, I'd change the fabric on the chairs again. My main problem with this set is that I don't want high back chairs again. I hate how they break up a room and make it difficult to see the table setting. Plus, even though I love French Country, it's not the direction I was trying to go.