You have a clean slate! The rug is beautiful, and chairs from a variety of styles will work well with this. I'd opt for something simple - there's no need to spend much money on the chairs. Less important than "modern/old" is how the lines will work together, and because the table is itself uncomplicated, you can repeat that with the chairs, pretty much regardless of "style."

we had the same problem finding chairs for our 1950s christiansen table, so we decided to get three pairs of chairs, which we mix up and move around the house when we don't need them in the dining room...., so we have two vintage danish chairs, two tulip chairs and two vintage tolix chairs........, we love them all and couldn't choose between them

Something Mackintosh-esque comes to mind - something that, like Krister noted, match the lines. (P.S. That's the highest wainscoting I've ever seen.)

http://www.sculptart.co.uk/crm17.html

My first is you don't need everything to be matchy-matchy. Consider something ecletic, an upholstered chair covered in something to coordinate with the rug.

My second thought is the rug doesn't work. It will make it difficult to slide the chairs in and out.

It's a beautiful room, I love the paneling and the windows.

I love this room. How about the grid tufted dining chairs from West Elm?

http://www.westelm.com/products/grid-tufted-dining-chair-g440/?pkey=cdining-chairs-seating

I'm sort of obsessed with dining tables/chairs right now since we want to replace in the next few months, but I just saw these chairs at Design Within Reach (in person) and they're gorgeous, and would go with what you've got well. Good luck!

http://www.dwr.com/product/era-round-arm-with-cane.do?sortby=ourPicks (in coffee, they have one without caning if that's not your style)

http://www.accentsofsalado.com/RusticFurnitureTraditionalSpanishDiningChairs.html (Key Largo Chair) This is just an "idea" of what I mean.

I bought 4 wicker chairs with straight lines and darkwood legs on craigslist. I do NOT like wicker as a rule and it's not my style. BUT they brought a great texture into my dining room. I had them around an old darkwood round table and I put white/red patterned pillows on them and they looked casual, elegant, and eclectic. Worth a shot.

So far, the room kind of reminds me of one of HGTV's, Sarah Richardson - the dining room in the Farmhouse. She used a wicker chair from Ikea with custom cushions. I love the effect.

IF you scroll down the page at this link, you can see it.

http://razmatazblog.blogspot.com/2011/12/how-sarah-richardson-and-other-canadian.html

I think that there is a sizing issue between the table and rug. Either the rug needs to be bigger, or the table smaller. Currently, what ever chairs you choose will go off the rug when ever someone sits at it.

I'd follow the table and do simple, dark wooden chairs with clean lines:

http://www.westelm.com/products/tilt-dining-chair-g041/?pkey=cwoven-wood-chairs
http://www.dwr.com/product/kyoto-chair.do?sortby=ourPicks

Good luck, it's definitely off to a good start!

We bought these chairs in white to go around a vintage beechwood farmers table:
http://www.westelm.com/products/scoop-back-chairs-f887/?pkey=cdining-chairs-seating

I think any variation on this shape & colour would work well.

OMG are those pocket doors?!?!?!
Sorry having trouble focusing on the rest of the space because of the possibility of POCKET DOORS ?!?!?! love em. but... the style of the home seems
craftsmanesque. Is that how the rest of the home is decorated? You might try a modern chair with a nod to the Stickley-style.

1. How about Shaker style chairs, such as these?
http://www.shakerworkshops.com/catalog/view/shaker-dining-chairs/Shaker-Straight-Chair/F121

2. Imo, the rug is fine as and where it is.

The walls, floor and table are all wood, so the chairs should be made of something else... or perhaps slip covered.
Also, the rug is too small for the table.

I really like the Dalloway Side Chairs that baines recommended. They aren't heavy looking or dark and would keep the room from seeming overly full. I hate to choose sides, but I agree that CLIEU's chairs aren't...my taste.

I'd go with Thonet bentwood chairs. They're classic and not too big, so if you need to, you can crowd more people in. Our chairs, ladderback, are very comfortable, but they're huge, limiting how close together people can sit.

I think leather and chrome would look great with both the table and the rug. It would be modern yet classic. Something similar to this: http://www.cymax.com/Common/Product/CatProduct.aspx?ID=180873&Src=Shopping&SrcID=2477190&utm_source=Shopping&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=180873&utm_campaign=CYMAX

Your table is so classic and simple, many chairs should go with it, either all the same, or mixed and matched. Whatever you choose, make sure the chairs are comfortable. That is, if you want your guests to be at ease. So you'll have to try the chairs out before you buy them, or at the very least, check for several positive reviews if you are ordering online (and order only one first to make sure you like it in person--you don't want to be stuck with a bunch of chairs that don't work or deal with the hassle of shipping them back). I find upholstered seats most comfortable in general.

Also, I agree that your beautiful rug may not be large enough. See this link (and there is other advice like this online):
http://www.hgtv.com/home-improvement/rug-size-and-placement/index.html

I would be afraid to put such a gorgeous and expensive rug under a dining room table if the room is used all the time, but if the room is only used occasionally, then it's not such a worry.

I'd go with tulip chairs on both sides and upholstered on each end. definitely 86 the rug. update with something that has a bit of texture/modernity. you have SO much to work with.

I second Thonet style chairs and definitely agree that Clieu's suggestion is a big no.

I love your room and love your rug -- and the table is great too!

My first thought too was that your rug is way too small for the dining room -- rugs would have gone to the framing element in your floor -- the rug you put in the room needs to be much longer and at least 12"-15" wider on each side of the table. Basically, you don't want chairs to catch on the rug when the are pulled in and out; as it is now, it will be a constant nuisance.

As for chairs... well, you need to try them out carefully. Comfort is paramount -- makes for much better dinners! While I agree that upholstered chairs are most comfortable (with hard, non-upholstered chairs, you really have to watch the seat edge, that it is not too uncomfortable), beautiful ones are very expensive (my favourites are by Christian Liaigre).

Here are some to consider:

-Starting off with what is probably your most affordable option, Donghia's Anziano Chair. It is stackable, comfortable, and very, very elegant (and a bit uncommon). I have always found the base of the chair to be incredibly beautiful and graceful. It comes in many colours, but in your case, I would pick the warm cherry version, although white lacquer could also work great (depending on how it works with your wall colour).

http://product.donghia.com/product-main.cfm?item_desc=anziano%20chair&item=90002&item_type=B&color=005&collection=Furniture&category=In%20stock%20furniture&subcoll=Anziano

Another option would be another kind of molded plywood chair, but this time an MCM classic, in a bright colour. I would recommend the Jacobsen Grand Prix chair (it is not as common as the Series 7, which has been knocked off to the nth degree). Pick a bold colour, like pink or turquoise!

Check the 5th picture down:

http://houseandhome.com/blogs/house-home-daily/colourful-chairs

Another option would be to order two chairs from Fritz Hansen of each of Jacobsen's 3 molded plywood chairs, in the same colour -- the Ant, Grand Prix and Series 7.

Another option is the Wegner Wishbone chair, in soaped beech, which would provide a marvelous contrast to the dark wood of your table. In winter, you could drape the seats with sheepskins.

http://www.danishdesignstore.com/products/ch24-wishbone-chair-by-hans-j-wegner-3

Another option would be to do a mix and match of midcentury chairs; your table and room have the strong bones you could pull it off:

http://www.thelittlehouseinthecityblog.com/2010/03/mix-n-match-mid-century-chairs.html

Or, you could troll 1st dibs, antique and consighment stores for something truly unique -- late '60s Brazilian leather dining chairs for example. You have loads of great options; don't settle for the most common solution!

Good luck!

I love the room. I agree with everyone who said that you can go in almost any direction and not go too wrong, since the basics are so great.

Personally, I think there's a lot of hard surfaces here (the rug being the one exception.) I have a similar dining area and I chose slipcovered chairs. I got the slipcovers made out of a neutral linen color and I like that I can change them at will (or if someone spills wine, for example!) and the chairs themselves are so comfortable that they are conducive to long dinners without anyone's butt falling asleep.

I also think metal of some kind would work, too. The only things I'd avoid is something that is too craftsman-y, too dark-woody or too leathery. It seems like you need contrast more than anything. And your rug will look fine once chairs are in the actual room.

These? They're a little modern meets rustic...
http://www.westelm.com/products/rustic-dining-chair-g529/?pkey=cdining-chairs-seating

The rug is too small for that table.

I like the dalloway (howev wowza expensive) or the thonet, but baines - no reason to be so rude, hey?

I have to caution you against the leather and chrome chairs suggested by abstractionist.

Stylistically, it is a gorgeous classically look. It's a look I personally love. In fact, I loved it so much, it was the look *I* chose for our first dining room -- farm table, Mart Stam black leather and chrome chairs, and Persian rug. But --- we didn't try the chairs before we bought them, and lived to regret our decision for 15 years. For 15 years, we were uncomfortable at the dining table.

Why are they so uncomfortable? Because of the slant of the chair. The seat and chair back are designed so that the sitter sits back, actually away from the table. So, in order to eat, you wind up perching on the front edge of the seat, which is not a very comfortable position, and which undermines the construction of the chair (i.e., wears down the integrity of the front). They really aren't designed as dining chairs, but rather, side chairs or guest chairs for an office.

So, avoid Mart Stam chairs (and all the knock offs, like in the link), and try to find something designed as a dining chair. It's hard, because if you are looking for ideas, often chairs which make terrible dining chairs from a functional perspective actually look great, and will draw your eye.

So, a cautionary note...

Along with a few other people, I'm a bit concerned that the rug is a little small for the table. Try it with chairs and you'll see one way or another.

Two ideas:
Paul McCobb's Planner Group chairs could work well here, they tie together the simple/Shaker/traditional styles together well with modern and could fit the table and the rug, without clashing with the wainscotting and the stained glass in the windows.
Eames shell chairs, alternatively, would really lighten things up, go for a muted color, like blue, white, or mustard yellow, and probably Eiffel bases.

I agree with most folks that you already have a lot of strong statements here and all in all it looks good and it will be hard to go wrong.

@Baines, you have champagne taste, a crude delivery but that chair is totally awesome.

Wow, is all I am going to say about some of these suggestions.
On that note if you are looking for something a little more modern and that works with your aesthetic check out the Doyle side chairs from room and board.You could try and find something similar with this shape
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=20109&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=197&menuSubcategory=149
and mix up the end chairs with upholstery with the same basic rounded shape like the Sasha arm chair from Crate and Barrel. (ignore the pattern)
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-chairs/sasha-arm-chair/f39168
You can sometimes find these types of chairs at Home Goods. If you spend a little time you should be able to find similar chairs for less:) Happy Shopping!

I love the idea of having more than one style chair... and one I'd suggest for sure is the Emeco (or Emeco-inspired) Navy chair... they're aluminum, light, durable and supper comfy. Some contrasting Wedgner "Wishbone" chairs would be awesome, as would chairs similar to the chairs again the dining room wall in the "Andrew and Andy" home tour!!! Keep the rug too... it adds a wonderful bohemian quality to whatever else you add to the room!!!

I agree the rug is too small.

What about the Gus Modern Thompson chair, the modern windsor chair at West Elm or the pony tweed chair at CB2, which would introduce some metal and shine.

Sorry, here are the links:
http://gusmodern.com/products1/dining/thompson-chair/thompson-chair.shtml
http://www.westelm.com/products/modern-windsor-dining-chair-g195
http://www.cb2.com/chairs-benches/dining/pony-tweed-chair/f7180

Gus Modern does have some sweet chair... Even the School or Church chairs would be excellent as long as you could find wood tones that either coordinate well with the table, or contrast it!!!

I had two thoughts for this room - one would be to search local thrift stores for dining chairs (they always have lots of them available) and purchase different ones. Paint them all the same color - I think a rich deep red would be beautiful with the rug - and cover with a geometric or sculptural fabric that coordinates with the rug. Another option would be clear polycarbonate chairs; the Queen Anne style ones would be fun. There are lots of different styles that would be great in this room. And they are very comfortable to sit on, and really simple to clean.

Because I prefer solutions which aren't "off the shelf", here is what just a quick perusal of 1stdibs yields -- really, loads of options!

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=612335

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=575600

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=610970

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=610276

And lastly, one "off the shelf" option not yet mentioned is a Red Eames DCW (ie., all wood) dining chair. Although Eames, and the DCW, are almost a bit too common, the red colour is rarer and more interesting.

Someone else mentioned the Eames side chair, which was my first though. Institutional chairs in that vein (stackable, pre-80's office/school workaday seats) make a nice contrast to the classic elements.

I love the rug and table! And your guests will figure out how to move their chairs in and out, no problem. Because you have that high wainscotting and the room feels so cozy, would you consider a chair that you can see through (like a Bertoia style)? Then you could still see the rug with chairs around it and there would be an openness to the room.

The rug is fabulous (source please?) but I think the table is too large for the rug (or vice versa, the rug is too small for the table) - the chairs will end up off the rug.
Personally, I would probably go for some see-through chairs (like Ikea's Tobias chair) because the rug is such a traffic stopper.

We have 4 modern upholstered chairs that might be perfect for this table. Check them out here... http://www.eurotrendusa.com/product/detail_sitemap/312 (oh and they're stackable!)
Shoot me a note and I can send you a pic.

Here are some suggestions:
1-http://www.zinhome.com/products/Carmel-Dining-Chair.html
2.http://www.zinhome.com/products/Christie-Dining-Chair.html
3.http://www.zinhome.com/products/Charlotte-Scooped-Seat-Dining-Chair.html

I would go with upholstered nailhead chairs. They combine modern and traditional elements, kinda like the traditional rug with a sleek modern table.
High end - http://www.restorationhardware.com/catalog/product/product.jsp?productId=prod1633005&categoryId=cat1677014
Low end- http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Noho-Beige-Linen-Side-Chairs-Set-of-2/6240873/product.html

That is one ugly table for that room! I am not sayings its an ugly table in its self, but not for the room in its current colour though. The room colour is wrong, I think paints from Farrow & Ball
http://eu.farrow-ball.com/rectory-red/colours//fcp-product/100217
would look better on the walls and biscuit would look better on the panels, you need to darken the mood, I would add a Waterford glass chandelier too. The rug will be lost under the table, I would hang it on a wall or keep it for a master bedroom, it will get destroyed under the tables legs. I would also all heavy curtains to enhance the mood of a fine dinning room.

saw this post on YHL, similar room, very different feel. I do think Parsons-like chairs would go well.