Heres my little table.

Teeda, love that. (And ohhhh … the armoire!)

I have found my people! I have an obsession with vintage brass and glass, too. I frequently scour Chairish and swoon.

Love, love that Teeda!!

I say no to the bench and maybe to a table, but I wonder if you have tried the chairs on either side of the server -- waiting to be called into use, but not competing with the other chairs. The furniture will be at one end of the room, but it might work with the other end open and art and windows to balance each other.

Still love the bench best .. though i definitely could see a brass table in its place. There is plenty of room!

When the chairs are removed or swapped, it just affirms for me how perfect the chairs are where they are.

I think the bench really makes no sense there. Guests are unlikely (!) to want to read or look through those books or sit on the bench while they wait for dinner and it all seems cluttered to me. If you don't like the clean look, I would keep the chairs. I do like the chairs very much as an added pattern!

IDK, I can see women putting their purses on the bench?

I was thinking that bench would come in handy during a successful dinner party when the butler wasn’t around to pour and clear wine bottles from the table. easier to reach while seated then the buffet.

These migh not be the exact size to fit, but this idea kept coming to my mind. Please, no one yell at me ;) just another idea to throw out there.

Those are beautiful pieces akt. I think that would start a domino effect for which I am unprepared!

Maddie has the right idea for the bench. And the butler.

I have a pair of these benches and have always used them as tables. I guess I can see the bench only being useful if the dining chairs were removed for a cocktail party spread. A place to set a drink or something.

I don't mind having extra side chairs. I have a number of extra random side chairs, I even have a pair of chairs that are so delicate that no one can sit on them (they are usually made inaccessible somehow). And usually my extra chairs are just lined up against the wall or put in the corner somewhere. They can easily be moved around or removed, that's kind of the point of this sort of chair.

If you have a full dining room and you need the circulation space and you aren't using them at the table, they can always be moved off somewhere.

Back when ordinary residential rooms did not have fixed, dedicated purposes (until early 19th c.) the "formal" furniture arrangement was that the dining table would be broken down into its component parts (usually a gateleg table with pieces like demilunes that could be added on the end) and it would be placed against the wall and the chairs would be lined up against the wall. And it would be pulled out again and set up for meals. And the could vary a lot in size, from the two demilunes pushed together to make a round table for a couple to everything unfolded and leaves in to make a big long table.

(Believe it or not, the fixed furniture arrangement we use now in LR and DR where everything is always kept in the same place was called the "informal" arrangement...if I remember my history correctly)

Ok, if you can humor me for one more option. This garden stool lives by the front door - what do you think?

I really, really like that!

pal - I always learn so much from you!

imho the scale of the garden stool is off

Garden stool is too low and too small. Bench was also too low (not for sitting but for using between chairs.

mtn...I agree.

Also...benches are showing up in dinning rooms....and...I love benches. Yours is a treasure...I'd display it....it's eye candy.

teeda...Love that brass table. Bamboo brass... ❤️‍🔥

😭

I still like the bench! It just seems to work in the space.

I voted wrong, I wanted to select the bench between the 2 chairs

You know, Ruby, that room is just so pretty, I'm waivering on my vote to add the bench. I just love to look at it, as is 🤍 You put it together beautifully.

Me, too … I keep going back and forth. I like both ways.

I guess for me, since it looks great either way, I’d go with the best choice for function.

Or flip a coin. :D

Thank you all for hanging in there with me! It's funny because in person the garden stool just seems to work there visually if not practically. The bench is another flat rectangle which will serve no real purpose - unless placed there for a party. I may default to leaving it as is for now.

I really appreciate all the positive comments about the room. It is one of my favorite rooms in the house and is the first space one sees upon entering. It has been fun trying all the available options I currently have and I may also have a new brasss/glass console to hunt down!

Your room is truly magazine worthy, rubyclaire ! I love it so much !😍

Can you try the chairs in opposite corners? One next to the sideboard and one in the corner by the pictures?

@Kate thanks - unfortunately there really isn't enough room next to the sideboard on either side.

I am very late but I would love a picture of the garden stool head-on if at all possible. Plus I'm kind of thinking you need a garden stool beside each chair. Here I am spending your money I know.

yeonassky - it’s hard to capture that angle but I tried. I probably should try it with the bench as well…

Not sure this posted…

Not a great shot - things look a little distorted.

That's a pretty little stool but it looks lost there, a little shorty that needed a home.

I do like the look of something between those chairs. Maybe a glass 'n' brass something is just the ticket.

I think you all are right - the stool is too small and the bench may not be right either. I snapped a pic of the bench (bare) just to compare.

Sorry, the garden stool is interesting but it doesn't work for me. It's not substantial enough to ground the artwork and it is too far from the chairs.

I am still team bench.. but like Sue and Bunny, I could also see a brass and glass table.

Agree — no on garden stool.

Still loving the idea of a brass and glass table. :)

I think we all need to meet at your house to hash this out. I’ll bring wine.

@Jinx - stellar idea! This may call for scotch...:) Just let me know what time you all will be here.

A floor pottery piece could work, which gets away from the redundant seating between two chairs. We own a few pieces from a local potter that I could imagine there.

What about a brass and glass bar cart instead of a table? No one's sitting in those chairs so you don't need a table between them. Your scotch does need to be readily accessible though. ;)

I like the bench, styled.

Your dining room is beautiful. I love your combination of prints. I also love that you recognize you are a more is more person! I like the idea of a glass bar cart. But the bench might be ok with some sort of decor on it. I also liked the idea of large floor pottery. If you found a great large pot or two, I would try it next to one of the chairs, rather than centered between them.

I can still see a small table like the one that Teeda posted. Or even one such as that where you could have a small bar set up. There is no wrong answer because your dining room is absolutely gorgeous already. If it were mine, I would just hang in there forever!

Sorry, Rubyclaire, I missed where you asked for the source of the smoked glass/brass table. Here is the pair: Brass and glass tables.

I don't know anything about this merchant, but there are lots of nice pieces here: Side tables

Not sure about the width you need. However, this is much more affordable, but I think you could still find something like this for less.

Brass and glass side table

Thanks again for all the help with this little project. I have “styled” the bench per Mtn’s (and others) suggestions. This will do for now I think. Definitely will be on the casual hunt for a brass and glass console that can serve as a mini bar when needed.

Perfection! I am in love! I can not wait for you to give us a tour of you lovely home!!

@teeda Thank you - those are so beautiful! And $$$!!

@amykath - your option is a nice affordable one - thanks.

The bench is actually 37"w x 13"d x 20"h so I feel like something a bit narrow will work.

Oh it seems I’m late to the party. i agree with everyone you have a lovely room. i like it with or without the bench, but once you start adding the vase, books and etc to the top, I automatically see a red flag ” becareful don’t bump”. Changes the feel of room from “comfortable“to “becareful“ I love to see a pair of the intagalios below i think pal suggested.

Ohh how about this?

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/kendall-side-table/furniture/living-room/coffee-accent-tables/560043?listIndex=2&uniqueId=560043&isNewProduct=false

or

https://www.ballarddesigns.com/zoe-side-table/furniture/living-room/coffee-accent-tables/568968?listIndex=1&uniqueId=568968&isNewProduct=false

@Cran - I do appreciate your comments about changing the feel of the room. For the moment, I am trying to work with what I have on hand. I wish I had another pair of intaglios - I have more intaglios but they would need to be framed. I also have a framed intaglio in another room which I tried under the bigger prints and Pal suggested I try moving the big prints down a bit and add the single above. All options for sure. I will live with this for a bit and see how I feel. This all started because I thought that space felt a little bare. Isn't this how it always works!!

@Sueb20 I like that and have seen it in person. Very nice!

ETA: I'm afraid the second one might suffer from the same thing as the garden stool. Just a bit wee.

Looks great Rubyclaire!

No matter what you decide it will always be a lovely dinning room .

I like your latest iteration, and the bunch works until you find the perfect brass/glass piece. I love your room, too! It's very well put-together.