Do all 10 chairs need to be at table all the time or can it be 8 chairs and 2 you bring over from somewhere else for large sit downs? DIAL UP YOUR CHAIR sizes to be proportional to table so, as to not look like child size chairs. Restoration Hardware furniture is over sized and generous proportions compared to many other retail sellers. Just any chair could be easily dwarfed by the RH table and look tiny. Here are a couple of my favorite modern chair makers KNOLL Brno flat bar chair which can be bought at auction and recovered in leather or vinyl of your choice and David Edward Furniture made for corporate, resort and colleges and available through dealers, I am showing here as a "host chair". Other "host" chair items possible of course. I just like this one.

OK... final grasp at a straw - your set of chairs for when they are not visiting, and when extended family come over, bring out fold out chairs with washable slipcovers? I know how difficult it is when you want to have a room that you like but you are having to adapt it for just for the one-off occasions and not as you would like it ideally. Perhaps that might work so you get what you want (most of the time!)

Agree with sian, paisley is so versatile, although I would use it in a sophisticated context other than kids rooms, as I feel the bohemian, colored version is polarizing, the more classic, muted tones in naturals teamed with the organic structure Adds personality to otherwise over contrived and stuffy interiors. Paisley is neither masculine or feminine, so perfect as a partner to a plain pattern or solid colour. I think paisley is better as an accent fabric rather than a basic, however it's easily evolved, so I can see it always being relevant and interpreted across trend changes. Currently, I prefer the inky colored indigo and navy's, or the tan and pastel combinations.

If you have a bit of storage space then consider buying a couple of inexpensive easy wipe stackable chairs (eg ikea) for visiting kids to use. Parents and you can then relax and enjoy the meal without worrying about your upholstery. Alternatively, tie-on seat cushions will give some protection plus a height boost for little ones.