I have four chairs to go with it, the originals. They are not comfortable, and I entertain on a weekly basis, so I need something quick. I walk the line between "NYC Artist's loft" and "Mid-Century Fanatic", as well as throwing in found objects quite a bit.
Question is this: What am I going to do for chairs? I cannot spend a lot, but I need something soon. I toyed with the idea of getting a bunch of chairs that don't match, painting them all white and calling it done.
I fear that might get a LITTLE too "shabby chic" for my taste. I am e-mailing a few pics from the first dinner party, but there are many changes since then."
What is your price range per chair?
You have a very unique space! You also have a whole lot of wood, and now that you've changed your table top to a wood top, you have even more. If you do go with wood chairs, I like the idea of going with white just to break up all of the wood. I really like the white window seat dining chair from CB2, although I can't tell you whether they are comfortable or not since I've never sat in one - http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=206&f=2377&viewall=1
Have you thought about adding pads/cushions to your existing chairs?
Go with something against the grain.
Get some plain, no frills, clean lined chairs and paint them to match your curtains.
Either let the lines of the chairs be the focus in which case go with the mid-century modern theme, or let the color be the focus in which case go with something without dominant lines.
i have seen thonet side chairs paired with tulip tables before, and i think it's a great match up. obviously the real ones are expensive, but something in that shape maybe.
go for a splash of colour and pick the $20 SNILLE chair from the Swedish Place (aka Ikea). they are actually way more comfy than you think - i have to scoop my guests out of them to other parts of the house after dinner! mine are olive -
i like rebecca's idea.
Those don't look like the original tulip chairs. They look like a reproduction because the base look like ones made by Burke of Dallas.
How about the Kartell Ero chairs? I have a couple of them and they are very comfortable (despite the way they look).
I second the chair that Mags linked to - although I think you should consider it in the olive/chartreuse version. It might look awesome with your curtains.
I am really into Julian's comment!
When I said it was original, I meant that it was from the 1960's, not something that I found at IKEA.
The Snille chair? I can't seem to find it. Do they still make it? Link me, please!
Thank you.
Mags-
I like those at CB2, but I haven't sat in them either.
Honestly, I hate the chairs I have so pad wouldn't make me love them. I am tolerating them, that's IT!
Budget? As cheap as possible! I have an entire bedroom to finish as well.
Z.
Zeb,
It sounds like, from reading your entry, that the original chairs that match the table aren't working for you because they are uncomfortable. My reading of your letter is that comfort is AS CRITICAL as style in your decision making process based on your entertaining style. This is about being a good host and well has having an attractive dining room.
You are fortunate that, IMHO, the table style is so classic and minimalist that it will work with a wide range of styles for your chairs. There are modern and traditional chairs that will all work well. Some people actually like the tension that is created between a modern table with traditional chairs (myself included). Some designers argue for two different styles of chairs at a table (e.g. Vincente Wolf and Christopher Alexander) for visual and comfort factors. Different chair styles work better for different people. And the tension between the chairs, when carefully selected, can be very visually stimulating. If you agree with this concept, then it may work well for you. The problem is, of course, finding the right chairs to pair together.
I have found the best way to find COMFORTABLE chairs is, of course, to sit in them. When hunting for chairs, I drag two of my best friends along - I am 5'8", James in 6'-2" and Kim is 5'-4". This three person chair test assures me that a wide range of people will be comfortable in the chair. If I like the look of a chair and if all of us find the chair comfortable -- then I will consider buying a chair.
So, I would recommend, bribing a couple friends to spend the day (or a couple days this fall) chair shopping with the promise of dinner (you know you'll be feeding them anyway).