apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

That's a beautiful table at a great price...congratulations! Since the table has a lot going on in itself, I would keep the chairs simple. I wouldn't go totally modern, like metal or ghost chairs, though. Maybe a simple ladderback style (one example)... nothing heavy as the table is massive. I think wood would be nice, and as long as the style is simple. You could even have a couple of different styles...in a windsor style (another example).

Agree with junklover, really great find and would be featured nicely with modern surroundings.

Parsons chairs. Their square legs will echo the square unit at the base of the two different leg styles, and not detract from the table's impact. Avoid the kind that has curved back legs - not complementary to your table.

I have a similar table, and bought wooden chairs with padded seats that I have never liked but they are what I could afford at the time. After ten years, I have finally decided to make full slip covers for the chairs, and if I buy any more chairs I will get a fully padded chair (Parson style) that I can can also slipcover, and "dress up" or down as so desired. I love gingham slipcovers, with sashes on the backs---it reminds me of summer dresses.

But in your eat-in kitchen, you could easily mix slip-covered chairs with wooden ones that compliment your table.

Lovely table. Pressed back would look nice.

What about benches and two end chairs?
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/subcategory/list.do?catalog=room&category=rm_dining_spaces&subcategory=din_bench

How modern? Bertoia chairs could look pretty fabulous here. If you're not looking for anything THAT modern, then I second benches.

Beautiful, nice find.

There a so many ways to go. I think it depends on your overall style of the room. You could mix with modern or transitional.

Simple wood chairs would be nice.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carolina-Cottage-X-Back-Dining-Chair-Antique-Parchment_W0QQitemZ170335181620QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item27a8c49b34&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1546%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318%7C301%3A0%7C293%3A1%7C294%3A50#ebayphotohosting



These Regency chairs are quit special-
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260410043532&ssPageName=MERCOSI_VI_ROSI_PR4_PCN_BIX&refitem=260406107174&itemcount=4&refwidgetloc=closed_view_item&refwidgettype=osi_widget&_trksid=p284.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%252BC%252BP%252BS%252BIA%26itu%3DFICS%252BUFI%252BUA%252BIA%252BUCI%26otn%3D4%26ps%3D10

Upholstered dining chairs.

http://www.wshome.com/products/p2064/index.cfm?pkey=cdining%2Droom%2Dchairs%2Dstools

http://www.wshome.com/products/p8281/index.cfm?pkey=cdining%2Droom%2Dchairs%2Dstools

http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1348037&navCount=2

I think you should go for very modern chairs... in bright colours and mixed materials (Plastic chairs eg. Panton, Urban from Ikea, Ghost Chairs from Starck; Metal chairs eg. Bertoia, Eames Bikini; Upholstered chairs etc or of course cheaper versions in this vein).

Most types of wood are going to be overwhelmed or simply clash with that very woody table. Perhaps a couple of dark bentwood chairs or painted wood would work.

Maybe something like this:
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Contemporary-Wood-Dining-Chairs-Set-of-2/3885064/product.html?sec_iid=33969

I also like the idea of a parsons chair.

i concur with melanie...

I think benches as well. Also, if you're trying to marry two styles, I wouldn't go with a traditional chandelier over that table - with modern chairs and a rug it would look like someone dressed in a period costume with sneakers on. Because that table is so massive and period-specific, I'd suggest everything else be modern, possibly historically influenced.

Great find for sure!

However as an amateur expert on antiques, I can confidently assure you that if that table truly were from the 1870's that
1) it would cost a minimum of $5,000, not $550
and
2) wheels on furniture were turn of the century, mid 1900's the earliest, and RARELY applied to dining tables.
(If something seems to be too good to be true, then it is.)

My guess is from the photo that this table is from the
1940's-50's, constructed to look older then what it appears to be. Again, it's a great find and it
will provide many wonderful memories.

Since it may not be a "true" antique & considering you're
considering a modern look, perhaps applying a high gloss white or black paint, would be a great solution?
And a chair such as the Louis ghost chair, would be a perfect marriage.

Have fun with it!

I think you should go with La Marie or Louis Ghost to not compete with the table.

I've pictured this table with panton chairs, Eames plywood chairs, ghost chairs... nothing looks quite right. The best I've come up with are vintage bentwood chairs - the simple curves would be a nice counterpoint to the hard lines of the table, while the wood would match.

I agree with the ghost chair idea... the uber funky victoria ghost chair is better though and would contrast the solid, serious table. But, I have no idea how comfortable they are. Dining chairs HAVE to be comfortable or your guests won't be happy.

If you have the cash, the ghost chairs would be nice.

If not, hit up some thrift stores and pick up chairs. You might be able to score chairs that have only one partner. Sets of two with about six to eight chairs around the table would look pretty nice.

That's a great table. I think you should skip the ultra modern chairs, it will too pretentiously hip and they're not that comfortable.
I agree with bepsf that upholstered chairs are the way to go.
These are curvy like the table and you could get a more modern color to match whatever rug you end up with:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=897&f=31377

Many thanks for all of these ideas- gives me a lot to obsess about.

I was thinking about all black chairs- some Bertoia mixed with other wood/upholstered. I actually saw some (not sure if they were actually Bertoia- but same idea) at Brimfield that have stuck in my mind. I could invest in the Bertoia stools in black to use at the island counter as well. I thought too about the Marais chairs in persimmon.

I've been coveting the Ghost chairs for years now, so of course considered them. I did not think of the upholstered (maybe leather?) chairs. I've been spending lots of time checking out Design Sponge & love that the spaces featured feel organic... so sfgirl's point about ultra modern chairs being pretentious & uncomfortable resonates. I made the mistake of getting those white Orbit plastic chairs in my last apartment- sitting on them became excruciating.

I think benches would look great but I get annoyed getting stuck in the middle of a bench at a table, unable to get up.

I will continue obsessing over all of your comments until I return to Brimfield in July! I am growing more resistant to buying new stuff when there are so many non-new treasures waiting to be discovered!

Thanks, too to beantown brad. It's good to be reminded to take seller's representations on these things with a grain of salt.

thankyou/thankyou/thankyou!