You can never go wrong with them IKEA GILBERT chairs. No matter where I look, they become the standard in which I compare the kitchen chairs to.

In our dining room we have 4 LumiSource Telescoping Chairs in clear Acrylic. You can even order them from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/LumiSource-Telescoping-Chair-Set-Clear/dp/B0001CKWZK

Because they are clear, they don't appear to have any sense of bulk. They are well made, and have held up like new for years.

Here they are in our dining room:
http://www.awardshow.name/temp/apartment/01_dining_room.jpg

Don't forget about Emeco's aluminium Navy chair, which is just the perfect dinning chair.

oooh I have fallen in lust with that Catifa 46. <3

I second the Series 7 -- so elegant, yet compact. I'm surprised that the Saarinen tulip isn't on the list. I think the lack of legs would be really great for a cramped dining area. On that note, the Catifa 46, which I think is really gorgeous, seems to take up a lot of room, as its legs have quite a span.

Would the series 7 look good in a traditional dining room with a queen anne style dining table? I really like the idea of modern-ish chairs paired with our table, but my wife thinks that it will look terrible.

Would the series 7 look good in a traditional dining room with a queen anne style dining table?

Ooh, I can actually the Series 7 looking great paired with a table with cabriolet legs. Try mocking up the combo you have in mind [digitally, or collaging photos together] and see what you and your wife think.

Archie, I have fantasized having a fantastic heavy antique dining table surrounded by either Series 7 or Ant chairs. So if you ever have me over to dinner, I'd be sure to compliment the pairing!

Right now, I'm really partial to Room and Board's Boxy Chair in walnut:

www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=378061&cat=51

Great deal at $89 for real walnut veneer.

I am fond of the Kyoto chair from DWR, and it is actually, er, well, "within reach."

Chris G.--I've been looking at the lumiSource telescoping chairs for a month or so. I haven't seen them in person. Do they fold? I'm looking for something I can fold and store.

Ha! I had both the Emeco and the Tulip on the list, along with others, but the list seemed way too long. Will add them back in.

ChrisG, i went to the amazon link before i looked at the picture of your dining room and thought they were totally hideous but they really look great in your space.

ChrisG,

I agree with vertigo - they look like warehouse-store dreg on the Amazon site. In your photo they look incredible. How fantastic you found their true potential!

I had not been back here since posting and did not realize I had generated conversation. I don't know if anyone will ever be back here to read my reply, but "thank you".

Yes, the photo on Amazon's site is terrible and does not do the chair justice. They are very solid, quite a bit heavier than they would appear, and yes, to answer lucitebox, they do fold.

Kind regards,
Chris

ChrisG, do you know of any place in New York where those chairs are available? They look amazing, but I'd like to test them out before I purchase.

The Linus chairs from Ikea are wonderful for a small space, and quite comfortable.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70116945

saarinen chairs are the absolute best!
i just picked up 4 and the table for 100 bucks!
thank you criagslist!

LDB,

At a most unlikely place... I bought two of mine at a lighting store on the Upper West Side called LightForms (the first two were bought out of town and shipped here).

http://lightformsinc.com

509 Amsterdam Avenue (btw 84th & 85th)
Phone: (212) 875-0407

Store Hours:
Monday - Friday 11:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday 11:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday Noon - 5:00PM

cheers,

I personally think Hightower Group has a great selection:

http://www.hightoweraccess.com/pricelist/stackchairs.html

Definitely work checking out.

We use the Saarinen Tulip side chairs for our dining area, and I love how compact and comfortable they are. Not having the legs is also a great advantage. The Jacobsen Series 7 chairs are also great, and their stackability makes them great for both primary use and to have in reserve for extra seating (as we do).

I'd say the Kartell La Marie chairs would be wonderful as small scale dining chairs. Although I currently have the Emeco 1006 Navy chairs, which are nice (but not gloriously invisible).