Whether you’ve bought a new home or are redecorating your current one, shopping for furniture s one of the major parts of designing a room. Whether you’re going for a contemporary urban vibe or a traditional modern styling, the right dining room table and chairs can really make or break your vision.
It’s easier today to shop, thanks to the variety of retailers creating eCommerce sites but some things really need to be seen in person. Furniture is one of those things. But not everyone has the time or energy to go into the showrooms and really see the choices in person.
That’s where I come in!
I took a trip to Restoration Hardware in Austin, Texas. The high-end retailer has a 4 story mansion in the middle of an upscale shopping district called The Domain, and I walked in to check out all the dining room table and chair options they had available.
RH specializes in high-quality, traditional pieces that can be highly customized to suit virtually any style or vision. Therefore, many of their items come with multiple options to choose from, and many pieces are made to order. The dining room furniture selection did not disappoint!
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Methodology
Before heading into the reviews, I should be transparent about what I am looking for in a dining room set. Style and preferences vary by individual, and you may not agree with my opinions, likes, and priorities when choosing a set.
However, with that in mind, I did try to envision a style or space where each table or chair would work, and focused on practical things like durability, quality, and if it actually looked good in person. My personal style is a vintage rustic style, with a side of a country farmhouse.
I really like how the two styles play off each other. For furniture, then, I’m more inclined toward natural wood tables that are sturdy. We have a huge family and typically host holidays, so we need a large table.
For dining room chairs, I’d like natural wood ones that match the table we choose, but they’ll definitely need cushions. We like to spend time with family at the table, so we must have a comfortable place to sit.
They also need to be sturdy; I don’t want to feel like I’m going to break it or that ti’s going to break after just one Thanksgiving at my house!
Now that that’s out of the way let’s get to the dining room furniture reviews!
RH Diningroom Table Reviews
Flatiron Table
Details:
- Rectangle Table
- Available Sizes: 60”, 72”, 84”, 92”, 112”, 120”
- Available finishes: 2
- Round Table
- Available sizes: 48”,60”, 72.”
- Available finishes: 1
- Additional details: Made from reclaimed elm doors, and may include remnants of original hardware like holes from hinges or doorknob. Casters aren’t actually functional.
- Additional products:
- Bar
Overall Impression: I really loved this table! I love the rustic industrial, and especially love the idea that this table had a previous life, and is being upcycled into my home!
Personally, I love secondhand furniture and new things created from recycled materials, because that piece has lived before somewhere else. It comes with a history. This is the exact same thing, and I love that idea in this piece.
The steel-structured brace looks awesome, too – it really does bring out the age of the wood really well, while giving it that perfect industrial piece. This dining table would look great in a room that could really embrace both the industrial and rustic elements.
Unfortunately, that’s not where we’re going in our space – we’re hoping for a more feminine rustic aesthetic. However, if we were going more industrial, I’d scoop this one up in a second! It’s truly gorgeous!
Reclaimed Russian Oak Plank Table
Details:
- Rectangle Extension Table
- Available Sizes: 60”, 72”, 84”, 96”, 108”, 120”, 138”
- Available finishes: 4
- Round Table
- Available sizes: 48”,60”, 72”
- Available finishes: 4
- Additional collection products available:
- Console table
- Shelving
- Bench
- Sideboards
- Cabinets
- Media console
Overall Impression: Another rustic wood table that really lets the natural beauty of the reclaimed wood shine! I have to say that RH does a fantastic job with their reclaimed collection – every piece is truly beautiful! The dining table is no different, either! It’s heavy and solid.
I like the parsons’ style better than the baluster legs, too. I think the baluster would be too much for our space right now and would prefer not having something heavy like that drawing the eye downwards. I do like the farmhouse design better, so I would probably go with that one.
There aren’t any ornamental pieces on this either, which I like because I think the wood itself really can speak then. This is definitely a contender for us!
Salvaged Wood Table
Details:
- Rectangle Extension Table
- Available Sizes: 72”, 84”, 96”, 108”, 120”
- Available finishes: 4
- Round Table
- Available sizes: 48”,60”, 72”
- Available finishes: 4
- Additional products available:
- Cabinets
- Sideboards
- Console table
- Media console
- hutch
Overall Impression: Okay, even though I did love the Russian Oak, I’m definitely partial to pinewood! The salvaged wood table is truly gorgeous! It’s not fake, it’s not been painted. It’s just been lightly sanded, and the wood just sings.
I love how sturdy the table is, and the design itself is one of my favorites so far! It’s definitely big enough to support my family and the wear and tear from my nephews and dogs.
I love the natural finish so much, and it would work as a perfect piece in our kitchen, bringing together both that rustic and farmhouse look. I think what I especially love about this piece is that it’s not a single piece on the top – it’s been put together by the various planks.
I like extra detail like that, especially because I don’t like to use tablecloths! I want my surface to be able to shine on its own!
St. James Table
Details:
- Available sizes: 68”, 60”, 72”
- Available finishes: 4
- Additional details: Italian marble top and handcrafted solid wood; the oak finish is textured and sandblasted, other finishes have a smooth surface.
Overall Impression: This dining room table reminds me of something you’d find in the King’s dining room in the 19th century! It’s very grand looking, with intricate details and fluting. I like that it’s heavy and sturdy; it would definitely endure a family holiday at my house!
However, it’s a bit too fancy and intricate for the vibe we’re going for. I think this would look beautiful in a classic, traditional style dining room, with similarly detailed wooden pieces. Because our dining room is much of a lazy, rustic vibe, this would just be too over the top for our space.
Maslow Table
Details:
- Available sizes: 60, 72, 84, 96, 108, 120, 132
- Extension options: 84-128”, 96-140”, 108-152”
- Available finishes: 6
- Additional details: Seats a maximum of 12 people
Overall Impression: Full disclosure, I’m not a fan of modern stylings. However, if you’re really into that 1960s styling, this is the dining room table for you! By combining both the wood top with the metal bottom, it really creates a unique juxtaposition that enhances the craftsmanship.
It’s like something you’d see in Mad Men in their offices! I like it, but it’s not our style. I think it’s really well made, the top is solid, and it isn’t very easy to move at all, which makes me believe that it’s pretty sturdy.
This would look great if you’re trying to breathe a modern styling to your space. It could really be a unique centerpiece in your room!
Linear Table
Details:
- Rectangle Extension Table
- Available Sizes: 84”, 96”, 108”, 120”, 132”
- Available finishes: 5
- Round Table
- Available sizes: 60”, 72”
- Available finishes: 4
- Additional details: Walnut top with solid brass metal base; each table is handmade and one of a kind
Overall Impression: Another one of the Restoration Hardware Modern collection pieces for the dining room, the Linear table is another mix of materials. In this case, we have a wood top with a live-edge, which is nicely stained and solid.
It’s set on top of a set of metal, rectangular supports, in either brushed bronze, polished brass, or stainless steel. It’s a nod to the 1970s postmodernist design, with an emphasis on the geometric shapes.
However, I don’t see this as a dining room table. It reminds me of a conference room table or fancy office on the 156th floor somewhere in the world. It definitely isn’t a warm piece, but I realize that not everyone really wants to evoke that feeling in their dining room.
For a very specific type of style and design inspiration, I can see this table working. I think the entire space would need to work around it, though, or keep the rest of your space very minimal.
As far as durability and stability, it’s a well-made table. The joints were well put together, and it was much heavier than I anticipated. That metal base is actual metal!
RH Dining Chair Reviews
French Contemporary Chair
Details:
- Armchairs
- Choose from square or klismos
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 8, including leather
- Available colors: 27
- Side chairs
- Choose from square or round
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 8, including leather
- Available colors: 27
- Stools
- Choose from square or klismos
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 8, including leather
- Available colors: 27
Overall Impression: These chairs were surprisingly light! I could easily move them in and out on the rug without an issue. The armchair was comfortable, and the arms didn’t dig into my thighs, which is always nice.
I liked the fabric cushion both on the bottom and the back of the chair, and the height of the back was high enough that I could lean back and not feel like I was going to fall over or that I had to sit up super straight.
The only thing I didn’t like was the legs seemed a bit flimsy. They’re a little too fancy for what we’re going for, though in a different finish and fabric, we probably could find a combination that would go.
I guess there was nothing about these chairs that made me need them. They’re nice enough, but I’m not totally in love with them. I think they’re really well made, and are definitely high on the quality scale.
Morgan Chair
Details:
- Armchairs
- Arm options: sloped curved or track arm
- Available finishes: 4 for fabric chairs, 7 for leather chairs
- Available upholstery options: 14 fabric, 6 leather
- Available colors: 30 for fabric chairs, 27 for leather chairs
- Side chairs
- Available finishes: 4 for fabric chairs, 7 for leather chairs
- Available upholstery options: 14 fabric, 6 leather
- Available colors: 30 for fabric chairs, 27 for leather chairs
- Stools
- Choose armed or arm-less
- Available finishes: 7
- Available upholstery options: 13 fabrics, 6 leather
- Available colors: 9
Overall Impression: The mid-century modern designed chairs are heavier than I expected. It was almost the complete opposite of what I thought about the french contemporary collection and this one.
These are sturdy, solid chairs! I like how the seat is tailored nicely, and the track arms aren’t constricting around my thighs, so it’s good that it’s forgiving. I did like that they were comfortable, but I wasn’t super psyched that the backs were so low.
I need a bit more support for extended sitting, too. They’re also very angular, which isn’t really my style either, nor is a completely upholstered chair.
However, I think these would look awesome with a glass top table, where you could really play with the fabric and color options! There are so many things that you can do that I really think you could make these super trendy if that’s the kind of style you’re going for.
Because there are so many different options, I think you’d have a good chance of finding a combination that works for a modern, contemporary, or urban setting.
Bennett Parsons Chair
Details:
- Armchairs
- Choose leather or fabric
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 4 leather, 11 fabric
- Available colors: 15 leather, 30 fabric
- Side chairs
- Choose leather or fabric
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 4 leather, 11 fabric
- Available colors: 15 leather, 30 fabric
- Stools
- Choose leather or fabric
- Choose from backed or backless
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 4 leather, 11 fabric
- Available colors: 15 leather, 30 fabric
Overall Impression: Now, when I think about a formal dining room, these are the kind of chairs that I think of. The upholstered high backs with the tufting. They’re very stuffy and formal looking, in my opinion.
I do think they’re super well made, the stitching was immaculately done, evenly spaced with no loose threads. The tufting and folding were clean without any awkward wrinkles.
The chairs themselves have some bulk, which makes me feel like they’d be durable and sturdy. However, I don’t like this style. It’s way too traditional for what I want and would be too formal of a piece for my room.
Vintage French Chair
Details:
- Armchairs
- Arm options: sloped, fabric, or track arm
- Shape options: Square, backslope, wingback, or skirted
- Available bases: 2
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 13 fabric
- Available colors: 30
- Side chairs
- Shape options: Tufted, fabric, round or square
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 14 fabric
- Available colors: 30
- Stools
- Choose fabric or soda fountain styles
- Choose bar or counter stools
- Available finishes: 4
- Available upholstery options: 3 leather, 9 fabric
- Available colors: 9 leather, 27 fabric
Overall Impression: Apparently, these vintage french chairs are supposed to be RH’s recreation of the dining chairs that are indicative of the neoclassicism period. They definitely give an elegant appeal, and after being prompted, I can see these in a french courtyard, with courtesans propped upon them.
They’re well designed and have really interesting, hand-carved details like the flowers at the top of the legs around the base of the chair. The fluting on the tapered legs is also a fancy detail. These are elegant chairs, but also have that vintage feel to them.
I like them a lot, but they’re a bit lighter than I’d like and seem too formal for my dining room. We’re going for a rustic farmhouse, and this style doesn’t jive with that.
But they’re well made, and I think it would work in a variety of other spaces – especially if you were hoping for that vintage french countryside homestyle!
Madeline Chair
Details:
- Armchairs
- Choose from rattan or wood
- Available finishes: 5
- Side chairs
- Choose from rattan or fabric cushion
- Available finishes: 5
- Available upholstery options: 11 fabric
- Available colors: 27
- Stools
- Choose backed or backless
- Available finishes: 5
Overall Impression: I love these chairs! They remind me of handmade ones you’d find in a rural cottage in the 19th century! They’re lighter than I usually like, but they’re solid enough to inspire me to think they’re durable.
I was really drawn to the all-wood quality about these – they were one of the only ones that I found at RH that didn’t have fabric cushions, or were all fabric. I like that I can get the rattan bottoms on these, as well.
That’s a great option to have and really adds to the natural fibers we like to use in our space to enhance the rustic farmhouse feel. They’re simple and natural.
They actually remind me of some of the chairs my grandfather had in our backyard when I was growing up, and that’s probably why I like them so much.
Those chairs lasted forever, and I think he got them at a yard sale! These are definitely well-crafted and evoke that sense of old-world craftsmanship you don’t really see anymore in modern furnishings.
Dining Set Round-Up Winner
Well, at the end of the day, I need to pick a favorite for my space. To review, I’m looking for a dining set for my dining room, which we are using a vintage rustic/farmhouse chic styling. We like combining old stuff with new stuff, with an emphasis on natural textiles and textures.
For the dining room table, we’re going to go with the Salvaged Wood Table as our favorite. Not only did we love the pine more than the oak, it just felt like a more solid table than all the other ones.
I also think that one of the main drivers was the detailing of the planks that create the top. We absolutely loved that it looked like a handbuilt table that had been passed down for generations (and we’re hoping that we’ll be able to do that)!
The dining room chairs posed more of a problem. I wasn’t too thrilled about everything I saw, but had a great idea! Because we were so enamored with the salvaged wood table, we decided to get two benches instead of a set of chairs!
It allows us to have as many people over without worrying about making room for chairs, plus we can store them easily under the table when they’re out of the way so we can maneuver around the table easier.
Plus, if we have a buffet gathering, we can then move the benches to the edges of the room and keep the table in the middle for snacks! Of course, I’m not going to let myself off that easily. We did end up purchasing two of the Madeline chairs for the ends of the table.
That way, I get my much needed back support, and I get to remember my grandfather’s backyard every time I step into the dining room. Since it’s the place where I gather my family, it was definitely an emotionally charged decision.
However, these are high-quality chairs, naturally made, and they fit in with both the salvaged wood dining table and our preferred styling aesthetic.
Which dining room set would you choose for your home?
