TOO HARD, TOO SOFT... JUST RIGHT LOOKING FOR THE DINING CHAIR THAT SUITS YOU PERFECTLY.(HOUSE-HOME)

Byline: FRANCES INGRAHAM HEINS STAFF WRITER

There's nothing worse than an uncomfortable dining chair, and with home entertaining back in vogue, some people are discovering just how unpleasant sitting at the table can be.

``People often select a chair based on its looks and whether or not it will go with their decor,'' says Kathleen Styga, a sales associate at Raymour & Flanigan Furniture in Latham.

``Picking the right chair for your dining pleasure is equivalent to tire-kicking,'' says Pat Bowling, director of communications for the American Furniture Manufacturers Association in High Point, N.C. ``You should sit on it, pull it up to the table and sit back all the way to see if you have enough back support and if your feet can touch the floor. When you find one you like, sit on it for a while, to see if you still feel comfortable after a period of time, rather than hopping from one to another.''

With Bowling's advice in mind, I set out to find the perfect chair.

The first thing you need to …