apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

How about a contrasting materials like brushed stainless:

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/1006-navy-side-chair-brushed.do?sortby=ourPicks

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/kong-side-chair-brushed.do?sortby=ourPicks

Or, something in different candy colors, like these Ant chairs:

http://www.retromodern.com/item_detail.asp?4743

I'd consider something with curves, to play up those sensuous curves of the table.

YES! Absolutely. That's a great looking table and it would look awesome with something like the Eames aluminum side chairs in a white upholstry or the Bertoia wire side chair with a white seat pad.

love the Kong chair at DWR

How about various chairs with interesting silhouettes all painted the same bright color? You could buy them on graiglist or flea markets.

For this table, aluminum wouldn't work for me.

Ideally, a cherner chair...
http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/cherner-side-chair.do

But since we're on a budget...I'd be looking for something along the lines of:
http://www.bludot.com/Browse_Products/Seating/product/ChairChair
http://www.bludot.com/Browse_Products/Seating/product/Knicker_chair

Personally, I would want the chairs to "disappear" and let the table be the star.

Here we go again... no context or other style cues at all.

I'd look at a "non-personality" upholstered chair for that table without knowing anything else about the owners or their room.

My brother-in-law has the same table and they are looking for chairs on a budget as well.

Here's a couple suggestions I made to them at different price levels:

The Ogla Chair: $29.99
(a take on Thonet)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/90091722

The Nordmyra chair: $39.99
(which are similar to the oval back dining chair at west elm only over $100 less)
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10087644

Air Arm Chair: $99.95 on sale
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=115&f=4666&viewall=1

The Spindle Chair: $149.00
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=115&f=4952&viewall=1

Rather than hiding the design elements of the table that make it unique- particularly the swooping legs with claw-feet perhaps one would be well advised to find a chair that picks up on these details and enhances them.

Think about the relationship between the table and chairs- the dialogue that will be created and try and foster one where both the chairs and table have equal voices.

Iconic designs like the aforementioned are fine but perhaps too "loud" in relation to the table.

I might recommend looking for a chair that has a similar swoop to in its legs to the one the table has-even better if it has a claw-foot. Perhaps something similar in shape to the Hudson Chair from DWR: http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/hudson-chair-brushed.do?sortby=ourPicks

Aluminum would be nice as it would highlight the warmth of the table and provide a visual resistance to the dark and organic tones of the wood.

In any event Craigslist is your best friend, be bold and challenge yourself to create a dialogue between the table and some chairs you happen across...

G'luck

/\/\ Ditto Patrick, once again.

If it were mine, I'd choose 6 upholstered dining armchairs with straight wooden legs done up in a pale linen w/ antiqued brass nailhead trim...
...and if I were to get extravagant, I'd have the outside arms and backs of the chairs covered in Schumaker's Chiang Mai Dragon.

How about these:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=661&category=rm_dining_spaces&subcategory=din_chair

these are a bit more expensive, but would be great:

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=891&f=9236

http://www.zgallerie.com/pc-4963-72-easton-dining-chair.aspx

These would be nice, they aren't truly modern but would add interest to the table:

http://www.westelm.com/online/store/ProductDisplay?partNumber=WE-PRODf572&storeId=17001&langId=-1&catalogId=17002&viewSetCode=E&parentId=WE-SH1FRNDIB&retainNav=true&cmsrc=WE-SH1FRNDIB

If you want modern, I'd go with a darker finish rather than light. A light color will just draw attention to the fact that your table and chairs don't match at all. Aluminum paired with that beautiful wood is just too much of a contrast. If the table were a more modern-styled dark wood, I'd say go for it. But it's so traditional that the chairs would look out of place.

I have a modern, wood table with thrift/junk store chairs. I covered all the seats in the same fabric, but all the chairs are different. All chairs are similar in color to the table. That way they don't look like they were purchased together, but don't feel like a stuffy dinette set either.

The table is simple enough that you could do anything.

I like these in clear.

That's a lovely table. A little too nice to be smashed up against some aluminum in the name of mixing it up. But I do like the crate and barrel chairs mentioned above.
Nothing from dwr please!

I agree with Azure. A collection of mismatched (classic style) chairs all married with a finish and fabric is a really handsome and modern look.

Perhaps Danish Modern? The ones with the oval backrests, like these
http://cgi.ebay.com/SET-OF-4-FOUR-VINTAGE-DANISH-MODERN-DINING-CHAIRS_W0QQitemZ120371858414QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item120371858414&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

or these

http://cgi.ebay.com/SET-OF-FOUR-VINTAGE-DANISH-MODERN-DINING-CHAIRS_W0QQitemZ120371857997QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item120371857997&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A1|294%3A50

or these

http://cgi.ebay.com/Set-of-4-Danish-Modern-Dining-Kitchen-Chairs_W0QQitemZ270337323172QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item270337323172&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1205|66%3A2|65%3A12|39%3A1|240%3A1318|301%3A0|293%3A2|294%3A50

Those legs are so great. I like the idea of pairing it with metal and upholstery. Perhaps these:

http://www.target.com/Dining-Chair-Set-4-Brown/dp/B000XCADRK/sr=1-2/qid=1233777968/ref=sr_1_2/188-9804405-1841566?ie=UTF8&index=target&rh=k%3Adining%20chair&page=1

I own the same table, plus 6 chairs. I recovered the chairs in an ornate patterned cut velvet years ago, before kids. I've been wanting to update the set for the past 2 years and have been looking at adding 2 upholstered chairs for the ends and changing out the seat cushions on the others with something more modern and maybe more kid-friendly. Try looking on craigslist and ebay for the matching chairs-I've seen a lot of them there and sets aren't too much money. The chair pads are easy to switch out with new fabric whenever you want, then maybe splurge on 2 new end chairs that are more modern. I like the aluminum, but the metal caps on the table are brass. Maybe go with the C&B leather chair.

Another way to update this table is with a bold graphic rug or a sleek modern pendant.

Many good ideas above. I would only add that if you want to mismatch, do it with intent. The chairs should *really* contrast. And then you have to carry through that intentional contrast in the rest of the room/house.

ditto Patrick.

there are so many possibilities that without context, without anything to go on, it's almost pointless.

Just a stab in the dark -- if you are looking for cheap, you could try painting 3 or 4 pairs of different chairs the same colour, as in the second picture from the top:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/la/flickr-finds/flickr-find-mismatched-dining-room-tables-075586

As for the colour itself, you'd have to find something that coordinates with the reddish hue of the mahogany. It would be stunning if it coordinated with your china actually. Personally, I love the greenish teal of these chairs.

I also have pedestal leg Duncan Phyfe table, and funny enough, once I completed the refinishing work, I was going to shoot an email off to AT with the same question!

Another way to mix the traditional with modern is to reupholster a set of the traditional matching shield-back chairs in an updated fabric of your color/liking.

I really like the idea of using low profile side chairs (like the Danish modern ones) with bent legs and higher-backed arm chairs at the ends. Mixes it up a little bit but still maintains some continuity.

Aluminum legged chairs are mentioned several times. I am having an aluminum or stainless leaf made for the leaf insert since my parents tossed the leaves that went with the table a long time ago. Just a different way to bring in metal, if that's your style.

Good luck!

I think Pelicolina had it right; buy the matching chairs - I think my grandmother had this or nearly this table.

I've been contemplating this question since inheriting my mom's Duncan Phyfe style table. The chairs I also inherited I don't think belong to the table. They are 1950s "colonial" and I sorta hate them, but they are indestructible , the right size, and free; so, for now, I'm keeping them. I wish you lots of luck finding something to go, it's not easy.

I'd do simple parson's chairs- you can cover them in a funky, modern print now (and hey, you could do half in one print and half in a different complementary print if you really wanted to go crazy) and recover them to something more traditional if your tastes change down the road. Parson chairs are easy to find and relatively cheap, and the shape would complement the traditional lines of the table while allowing you to have fun with the coverings.

Since this table sounds like an heirloom that you're planning to hold onto for a while (as opposed to just any table you'd be willing to sell if you decide to change your decor) I'd try to make my seating options as versatile as possible.

I am in the same boat, just bought a Phyfe style table and am hunting around for chairs. I think it really depends on your style. Our style is.... a little bit madcap and so I'm doing a mix up of different chairs in different styles. Our dining room has a large fireplace painted white and I tested out some white chairs with the table and they look great.

I bought some white Queen Anne style (with the rounded back) chairs and am recovering them in a matching white material. They look great because the style is a little bit classical but the color and material make them look more modern, plus they tie in the fireplace. I don't know if something like that would work for you, but I love the idea of getting 3 sets of two chairs, so they don't all match but there is some continuity.

One tip, which you have probably already thought of: don't get chairs with arms. The arms will bang in to your table every time someone scoots in and leave little marks.

good luck!