(Click on the picture for more of our thoughts or to enlarge the image)

Supplier: Pine Solutions  Guide Price: £399

Round tables which extend to oval ones are even more useful than plain round tables. It means that you can seat a few extra guests if you need to, even if it's a bit of a squeeze ... then, once they're gone you can have your little round table back.

This Oakleigh table is actually made from ash, rather than oak, which is a hardwood with similar properties. It tends to be rather paler in colour and with wilder grain pattern ... but it's a very attractive wood. I always think of it as looking very "woody" ... but I don't think that's an accepted technical term!

Dimensions (in mm): 773h x 1100w x 1100/1500d
It comes with the legs separate, for you to screw on.
The size - for those of you who like old money - is 3' 7'' in diameter, when not extended. It has a lacquered finish - which is very low maintenance.