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CHI Good Questions: Chairs to Suit a Saarinen Tulip Table?

2008-03-12-saarinenolsen.jpg
Kate is getting ready to shop and sent us an email: "Greetings, AT Chicago! I have a question I'm hoping you might be able to help me with. My girlfriend is going to be purchasing a Saarinen table for her dining room. She's going with a marble top (white) and I believe white (though possibly platinum) base.

I'm at a bit of a loss for which chairs to pair with the table. I've been thinking somewhere along the line of a dark wood, but I'm not married to this idea. I've been looking at Hovmand Olsen chairs, but again, I'm not sure.

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2008-03-12-hovmandolsen.jpeg
Any ideas? The only stipulation really is that we don't do leather. I don't think price is much of an issue, but I also don't think she wants to spend a boatload on each chair. Also, I'm an architect, so "to the trade only" items are fine. "

Kate, what a fun dilemma to have! As we said recently in this similar question about the Docksta table (worth checking out as well - lots of great comments in the thread), we think that most chairs look good around a tulip table - but we have to say the Hovmand Olsen chairs you are looking at would be a fantastic choice and counterpoint to the white marble-topped Saarinen. Nice deep, warm wood tone, rounded but edgy forms, classic vintage style - a hard combo to beat.

Let's see what the readers say...please leave your ideas and suggestions for Kate in the comments below...

Comments (26)

I have Thonet cane bentwood chairs around mine.

Does anyone know how to get a replacement marble top?

posted by jenzoe on 2008-03-12 10:46:26
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I don't think this is a good match.
Got a Tulip Table (white) and Panton Chairs around, looks great ! But with the marble top is not as easy...

posted by raph on 2008-03-12 10:50:53
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I have the same idea, but haven't pulled the trigger. My number one choice is the Wegner elbow chair. Others that I like are the Cherner side chair, any of the Thonet side chairs, and even just a black laquered bent wood cafe chair (I've seen this in Domino, I think).
Another look that I think would be nice is a padded wire chair or a fiberglass chair -- totally different direction but nice, too.

posted by nov9 on 2008-03-12 10:55:39
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I love this table. A cafe I go to in Philly has tables like this paired with orange acrylic chairs. The link doesn't have the same chair, but the orange swatch is very, very similar.
http://www.danetti.com/products.php?product=lanza%20chair

posted by kaytied on 2008-03-12 10:55:54
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I want Eames Eiffel chairs from Herman Miller around mine, but until I get the money it's Ikea. I can't wait to change them.

This is my table:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabouteve/2074310785/in/set-72157600297829837/

This is the look I want:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/swade/1822368022/

But I can't decide on colour...

posted by Eve in Hochelaga on 2008-03-12 11:06:00
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Please be aware that marble is hard to care for. I have a black marble table that shows water marks, etc. This table has a nice finish and I assume was sealed, but there are marks and rings all over it. I am not sure white marble is very practical, although beautiful.

posted by jlg on 2008-03-12 11:07:20
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hey..that's my flickr link with the dwr showroom in it.

i agree, i want eames shell chairs in white with eiffel bases. however, the new chairs that herman miller is coming out with are pretty bad (i think). i'm searching for some nice old white fiberglass shells... if i can't find those (and i should) then the modernica reproductions are certainly nicer than the flimsy stuff herman miller is putting out now.

posted by eightdouble on 2008-03-12 11:25:18
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Saarinen Executive Armchairs w/ metal base

http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=11419&Prfrm=1%3Futm_source=yahoo-ssp&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=paid-inclus

(I think they're probably less expensive directly from Knoll - particularly during early May when they have their annual 30 percent off sale)

posted by bepsf on 2008-03-12 11:49:24
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Method makes a marble cleaner.

I think teak warms up the marble, certainly. I've been in the market for one of these (or a reasonable facsimile) for years, and wood usually comes to mind first...or a colored thonet chair. red or yellow. Good luck!

posted by frontiersperson on 2008-03-12 12:17:20
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Love love love those chairs you're thinking abut. I say go for it.

posted by kimg924 on 2008-03-12 12:19:17
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The Saarinen table goes really well with the typical tulip chairs. But I have mine with Eames side eiffel based chairs.

see it here:

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1055/566404664_801f970610.jpg?

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1075/566778411_0b1369403c.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1053/590946086_2007e9032a.jpg

Since the table is such a simple design, I wouldn't try to over kill it with the chairs. We had chrome bertoias for a while but later changed to the eames and we are happy now. True, eames are now made in plastic instead of fiberglass but are more durable to day to day ordeals. Make sure you get the coated marble top as it's bullet proof. If you get the uncoated one, prepare yourself for scratches and stains/rings.
I wanted to order a marble top (I had the laminated top) from knoll and the price was $4500 a year ago. Found a vintage marble top locally in miami for $700 in perfect condition since the owner upgraded to granite.
I will stick with the regular white base for arabescato or carrara marble, black base for granite and silver for grey marble/granite or rosewood top.
I hope this helps!

regards,

joel pirela
www.blueantstudio.com

posted by joel maria pirela on 2008-03-12 12:35:04
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Go for the chairs you are currently looking at. They are a knock out, and indeed, they do warm up the marble.

also:
They are not as ubiquitous as some of the other choices.

Prices are still reasonable.

.. and wood is not so chilly on the tush in winter time (yes, I own some Eames shells, not a winterfriendly/ bum loving thing)

I think you are on to a great combination ! Cheers.

posted by Hana on 2008-03-12 12:50:32
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I have the opposite situation - vintage tulip chairs and a borrowed table. We're in the process of making a walnut table to contrast the white chairs. I think the wood pairing w/the Saarinen - in either combination is a great way to go. Stick w/the Olsen chairs. They are lovely and somewhat unexpected.

posted by colellis on 2008-03-12 13:00:27
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can I ask a silly question? Does anyone have trouble with this style table tipping over when someone leans on the edge. I'm considering it for my kitchen nook, but we're also considering children and don't want to introduce a hazzard.

posted by Carrie too on 2008-03-12 13:04:52
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I was checking out a great post yesterday at "A Mad tea party with Alis:
http://a-mad-tea-party-with-alis.blogspot.com/2008/01/story-of-saarinen-table-and-other.html
She has great photos with all kinds of chairs.

posted by loridilo on 2008-03-12 13:37:07
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Think Subtle design.

Most of these chair suggestions are too much design or Statement, for this Simple and Beautiful table.

posted by phauxtoe on 2008-03-12 13:40:57
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Carrie too: I wouldn't worry about it, the base is heavy.

posted by Eve in Hochelaga on 2008-03-12 13:44:33
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wow loridilo! that was a great link! really loved it -- thank you for posting it.

as for the chairs, I think the table is so gorgeous and goes so well with so many different ones, why not do what they did in the image that went along with the docksta question, that is, use mismatched chairs with the organizing principle of being all in white? I must admit, I am partial to the Czech chair, which isn't too common yet, and it is an opportunity to get a lovely variety of chairs.

I love the chairs you have picked, but for some reason, I do not love them with the table; cannot explain why.

However, these are some chairs along the same lines that I think for some indefinable reason would marry better:

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=68890

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=109487

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=193366

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=199585

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=196414

http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=100850

I love your sense of adventure, and would love to see what you finally decide...

posted by monika1 on 2008-03-12 15:41:15
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I have the white/marble Saarinen table with 5 white Panton chairs around ot. Talk about a biased opinion, but I think they go so well.

posted by Volvoguy on 2008-03-12 16:45:03
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i think those chairs would look amazing with a nice danish table, but not so much with the saarinen table. they are two great pieces, but ones that i think detract from the others beauty.

perhaps a arne jacobsen series 7 chair in white?

posted by eightdouble on 2008-03-12 18:19:07
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eightdouble made a great suggestion, jacobsen series 7.

It would be an Aesthetic Crime to surround a Saarinen table with Nasty Plastic Panton chairs.

posted by phauxtoe on 2008-03-14 01:40:02
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Wow, thank you all for your wonderful comments! First, my sincerest apologies for being completely absent from the comment thread my question sparked - I just got back from vacation and am just now getting caught up on the blogosphere.

eightdouble/phauxtoe - I agree, the series 7 chair is quite nice, and would be a great match.

nov9 - i love the elbow chair. I had seen it recently in a store and didn't know the name of it. But it's even more gorgeous in person. And so very comfortable.

monika - I completely understand your feelings. I love the table, and I love the chairs, but I'm not sure about the combination.

others - The eames chairs and tulip chairs are fabulous companions, and look wonderful. And thank you so much for your suggestions. I think I have a slight aversion to them because I like to think that I'm fabulously hip and adventuresome and am breaking some kind of mold (I know it's not true. But don't shatter my illusions...)

Before this was posted, I had a brief conversation with Grace over at Design Sponge, and she suggested the Bertoia chairs. I think they're beautiful, but I also hear they're incredibly uncomfortable.

A coworker and I have also discussed going with something springier/cheerier. I love the Maui chair by Kartell (it's a dream to sit in), and would consider this as well.

In summary - you are all wonderful and have wonderful ideas. I am still indecisive but have a lot more/better ideas running through my brain. I will certainly update you when the decision is made and the table has found its mate.

posted by kl on 2008-03-19 23:40:14
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I love this combination! Just bought the white tulip table for our very small so-called breakfast nook and am trying to figure out what chairs to get. I definitely want the wood chair/white table combo. I think it looks original and not too matchy-matchy mid-century modern overkill.
But where can I find these chairs??? I take it they are vintage one-of-a-kind??

posted by cm on 2008-03-22 23:29:57
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Any suggestions on where can I get Thonet bentwood chairs?

posted by india on 2008-04-15 11:13:51
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I definitely like the mix and match look. I have a similar white table from CB2, and the chairs I use are these old skandinavian teak chairs (hand-me-downs) that have that same danish modern look. The round edges on the chairs gives it a warmer and more comfortable look, along with the contrasting dark wood against the white.

posted by kristineve on 2008-04-29 16:05:04
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I went on this website and was totally obsessed witht eh table for weeks!!

http://a-mad-tea-party-with-alis.blogspot.com/2008/01/story-of-saarinen-table-and-other.html

I finally got my butt over to DWR today but when i saw it, it looked a bit short.

most of my tables in the house are at least 30 inches height.

Do anybody have problems with it being too short? or am i being too fussy...

posted by tulipgirl on 2008-04-30 02:41:40
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