What I would do, because I love contrasts in styles and textures, is get those beautiful shiny clear plastic ghost chairs.

http://www.amazon.com/Louis-Ghost-Chair-Kartell-Glossy/dp/B0025Y57T8

Also - beautiful table!!

A mismatched set of old wooden kitchen chairs would be pretty. Something like this, but often they have designs carved into the backs. It'd be neat if they were all a bit different. You can find them at yard sales or thrift shops, depending on the part of the country.

http://www.antiquefever.com/file/images/c333chairs.jpg

Beautiful table. I'd go with a contrasting material, for sure. I love the metal chairs.

I'd either go with something textured like the table or upholstered. Either way, I'd choose clean, simple lines. Maybe a woven rattan ( http://www.comparestoreprices.co.uk/images/pa/pavilion-rattan-tangiers-chair.jpg ) or maybe a Parson's chair ( http://www.buy-slipcovers.com/item_parsons_espresso.jpg ).

I've seen Parsons chairs at places like HomeGoods for $69 each, although of course you could spend much more. Rattan varies wildly depending quality and on what it looks like.

Classic bentwood chairs would look nice.

I think AJ Series 7 would be perfect. The curves will contrast well with the roughness and angles of the table. Since you're short of budget, why don't you try Room&Board's knockoff? They look almost identical. Or you can opt for a CB2 or IKEA version?

WOW R_Claw...you don't know what cheap is, do you? I would try and visit some of the second hand office stores...they have some cool metal chairs sometimes

Unfortunately, many people forget (or don't know) that a set of six chairs often cost as much as the table, if not more.

If you can get six of the metal chairs you like, go for it! If not... I'd mix and match until you can.

What about something as simple and cheap as ikea gilbert chairs? They are comfortable to sit and eat in, low maintenance, and look more expensive than they are (especially when paired with a high-end table). Plus their profile won't distract from the beauty of the table.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60059441

They're also cheap enough that you won't feel bad putting them in storage in case you find more expensive chairs to invest in later on.

If you like R_Claw's suggestion you can check these out at Overstock: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Lino-Transparent-Clear-Acrylic-Dining-Chairs-Set-of-2/5173778/product.html

World Market has some unique and affordable options. These caught my eye:

Bourne Leather
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4246510

French Bistro
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4230744
(my favorite)

Provence Chair
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4301207

I would go with ikea gilbert chairs as a nice contrast to the rustic: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00059439

or the Harry: http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20105831

Not as inexpensive, but the CB2 Encore will also work well I think: http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=11021&f=5985

I'd do a bench--at least on one side; chairs (can be mismatched from the thrift store) on the other side?

Sorry didn't notice the inexpensive part, maybe you can find something similar for much less . . .

these are expensive (to me anyway)
but they would look SO good...
http://www.allmodern.com/Calligaris-CS-1038-GN1240.html?cv=

I would choose something clean and smooth. IKEA Gilbert chair is a good idea already mentioned. CB2 also has some offerings. They pair a reclaimed wood dining table like yours with a slim white chair, $100 apiece. Gilbert is a lot less expensive though.

I love the look of white Eames or Bertoia chairs with a reclaimed wood table. Years ago I bought 4 white Bertoia chairs on Ebay for $40 each. Maybe you could find a deal like that. I also think the CB2 pony chair (it's a cantilevered chair) would look great--and it's comfortable.

Where did you get this fabulous table??

The table is really nice.

I would just haunt Craigslist and local thrift/antique stores until something that works comes up, but if you don't want to wait, I like the idea of benches on either side and then upholstered chairs (with arms) at the ends.

I would go for the metal tolix chairs you posted, something bentwood/thonet inspired would be pretty too. Another route could be Eames Eiffel or H-Base Chairs - there are plenty of inspired by copies out there if you're concerned with cost, but I would personally go the vintage route on ebay or craigslist.

I would definitely get lucite chairs, they have some at Ikea now.

Beautiful table! Is it reclaimed wood?

If you like the idea of benches and you're looking for something handmade, local and fairly inexpensive, you could check out some of our local reclaimed furniture craftsman:

http://arborla.com/

http://districtmillworks.com/

http://www.crofthouse.com/

Buy simple wooden chairs from a thrift store and paint them all black. If you have a salvage store or similar nearby, they might also be a good source.

Wow - I love the table. I would definitely go with a clear chair, as previously suggested. I know Ikea isn't always so popular around here, but I think the Tobias chair would be a good match:

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/20115038

I would definitely not get anything entirely metal - I think that would detract from the design of the table legs rather than complement it.

You didn't give us a lot of information about your style, though, so I could be way off in my suggestion. In any case, I think an upholstered chair would be too heavy.

Also, you really should tell us where the table came from!

And as for benches, my husband just built two 70" long simple, modern wood benches for our dining room for under $100. They look great with our beat-up wooden table. The cheapest option, if you don't have fussy dinner guests.

I second (or third?) the Tolix chairs. We did the exact same thing for our dining room - a reclaimed wood dining table with the plain metal chairs. Looks great and it's a nice contrast. The chairs are surprisingly comfortable too (way more so than the ikea chairs we replaced). They're not exactly cheap, but they'll last a lifetime. We got ours from the sundance catalog and they offer a discount when purchased in quantity.

Breuer Ceska Armchairs

http://www.steelform.com/breuer_cesca_armchair.html

http://www.classicstyle.org/product_view.html?lang=en&loc=eu&artikel_id=132&artgruppen_id=10

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80153070

I think white bernhard chairs from Ikea would go beautifully.

Right away I thought of the Tolix chairs, which, as I read later, were your original idea anyway. Yes, buying 6 chairs all at once is a hefty bill. However, if they are the chairs you want, then buy 2 or 3 now, then 2 or 3 in another 6 months. I never skimp. It's a great table. Please don't get Ikea (and I love Ikea-- for some things.)
Bottom line: Get what you want.

This table is gorgeous!
I think these chairs from West Elm are really beautiful: http://www.westelm.com/products/scoop-back-chairs-f887/?pkey=e%7Csoop-back%2Bchair%7C41%7Cbest%7C0%7Call%7C24%7C%7C15&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-NoMerchRules-_-
or these from Crate & Barrel: www.crateandbarrel.com/furniture/dining-chairs/folio-oyster-leather-side-chair/s561835

Thank you all for the great suggestions! I actually bought the table from a small furniture boutique called Top Living in Panama City, Panama - the owner mentioned something about a retailer in Miami, but didn't know the brand. All I know is that it's reclaimed wood from Indian railroad ties (at least I think that's what she said - still working on my Spanish).

I just moved to Panama, and the additional challenge of buying furniture here really has me stumped. I would just go to IKEA for chairs, at least for now, but there's nothing remotely like that here. If there's somewhere to buy vintage here, I have yet to find it! If I find something perfect in the US, I'll look into having it shipped.

I actually really loved the chairs the store had displayed with the table, but they were $650 each and thus not even worth thinking about. I'll try to link to a picture of them later...

Chairs are incredibly expensive; a full complement will run you more than the table itself.

Frugality is not my strong suit I am afraid, but even approaching this from a design perspective, finding chairs to coordinate with your table is difficult because of the strong statement it makes.

I think the most attractive option would be benches -- if you could get the same wood the table top is made of, a carpenter could make simple benches for you quite reasonably. (Make sure they are 18" high if your table is a standard-height dining table, or try to check which height would be most comfortable).

Another option would be leather benches; it being Panama, cow skin upholstered benches might be a good local possibility.

Here are some leather and suede upholstered benches to give you an idea of what I am talking about:

http://www.steuartpadwick.co.uk/pig.htm

http://www.weylandts.co.za/products/korfu-cowhide-ottoman-brown-white

Another (more difficult to source) option:

http://www.handmadecharlotte.com/vintage-pommel-horse-bench/

Your best bet would be wood benches along both long sides, anchored by something more substantial on the ends. For example, the chairs which match the table, or 2 leather wing chairs suitable for dining.

My chair recommendation would be Donghia's Anziano chair, in either the wood or leather versions. I think its lightness and the curvy linear grace of its legs would be a lovely contrast to the heaviness of your table. It would work either in the all-black version, or you could try to see whether the colour of your table coordinates with the other wood stains (warm cherry, or brown mahogany). The leather seat versions would also look gorgeous, although the cognac leather option would need to have a black (not silver as pictured) base.

http://product.donghia.com/product-main.cfm?item_desc=anziano%20chair&item=90002&item_type=B&color=003&collection=furniture&category=Arm%20&subcoll=Anziano

I would have to advise you though to stay away from the Ghost chair or its knock-offs. First off, it is not comfortable for dining, and secondly, it would look too contrived with your table, too much of a self-conscious visual contrast. (and yes, it is a chair that I particularly loathe...)

Another option that would look amazing with your table would be a simple bench upholstered with a red kilim. That would be stunning!

Here is an idea of what I mean by a simple bench; a good carpenter or furniture maker could easily make a couple for you to the right length:

http://www.gsmithdata.co.uk/cat-detail.asp?crtype=P&crid=P059

http://www.kilimfurniture.co.uk/Default.aspx

I think this is my favourite option... with perhaps a leather wing chair at each end...

I love the kilim bench idea. Might be hard to do here, but I'm actually moving to Turkey in 2 years, so maybe down the road!

These are the chairs I liked that were at the store with the table, prohibitively expensive but let me know your thoughts:

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/SBtEjeiJ2a79VNZg4xzzAw?feat=directlink

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/aQo6nyh7m-2a42bVfgsU2w?feat=directlink