The most common dining request we get at Bova's Dallas showroom is some version of "we need to seat ten at Thanksgiving but six the rest of the year." That's exactly what an extendable table is for, and the modern Italian versions are a long way from the wobbly leaf tables most people remember.
How much table you actually need
Plan on 24 inches of table edge per person for a comfortable seat, 22 if the chairs are narrow. Ten people around a rectangular table means roughly 100–110 inches of length extended (four per side plus one at each end), and 38–42 inches of width so serving dishes fit down the middle. Closed, the same table is usually 71–87 inches, which seats six to eight. Also measure the room: you need about 36 inches from the table edge to the wall so people can pull chairs out with the table fully extended.
Extension mechanisms that hold up
The Italian tables we stock use one of two systems. Butterfly or self-storing leaves fold under the top and slide out on synchronized rails — no separate leaf to store, and one person can extend it. Telescoping frames, used on some ALF Italia tables, pull the ends apart and drop a stored leaf into place. Both are far more rigid than a traditional pull-apart table with a loose leaf, because the rails are steel and the leaf locks flush with the top.
What's on the floor in Dallas
From ALF Italia, the large dining tables in the Montecarlo, Matera, Canova, Artemide, Bellagio, Heritage and Oceanum collections extend to seat eight to ten and come with matching buffets and curios in the same veneer. From Bellini, the Genoa, Ferraro, Isabella and Palazzo extension tables offer ceramic tops on wood or glass bases in 79-, 87- and 95-inch closed lengths. And the Oceanum XL and Olimpia XL fixed tables are the answer if you'd rather have a permanent 10-seat table without a mechanism.
Chairs, and the mistake to avoid
Buy chairs after you've picked the table, and count arms: armchairs at the ends only, side chairs along the sides, so ten chairs fit when the table's extended. Bring your table's apron height if you're mixing brands — we check seat and apron clearance in the showroom so knees fit.
See the dining table collection, the ALF Italia and Bellini brand pages, or call (972) 716-9600. Bova Contemporary Furniture, 4490 Alpha Rd Ste 300, Dallas. Delivery and setup across DFW; financing available.