Q: Hi, I am looking for chairs to go with my dining table. I made the table myself using the Vika Moliden underframe from IKEA — I wanted this white and metal look as a contrast to the parquet floor. The table top I had made at a building company, they use the material to make concrete constructions. The table measures 63 to 35.4 inch. But now I am not sure what chairs to buy?...
Sent by Gerard
...I think I prefer wooden chairs, vintage, not too modern. I saw these Moller chairs, but am not sure if they will go with the table top material. Or I might just go with simple kitchen chairs or perhaps Thonet? Or metal, to contrast with the floor? Not sure to go with white, the walls are white, the sofa and curtains have a natural sandy colour, and I could use some contrast. I would love to get some suggestions from you. Gerard from the Netherlands
Editor: Herringbone floors are a favorite of mine. My vote is for the rounded Thonet chairs — the curves of the classic chair and dark stain will contrast nicely to the modern table and lines of the floors. Share your own thoughts in the comments and survey!






Commercial Flour Sa...
i love thonet, having grown up with these & i think they would look great with your set; however, i think the moller chairs would be the best suited, adding interest & texture to both your table and parquet floor. beautiful table by the way & i think you have a nice selection of chairs.
The most logical chair would be an arne jacobsen.
But I'd mix and match
Depends on the look you are going for. The Thonet is an excellent choice, but if it were me, I would go for an upholstered chair to soften the edge. And you're floors are absolutely, positively gorgeous!!!! I'm so jealous ;)
Clean lines call for more clean lines -- don;t go all fussy and curvy. Moller chairs will be great.
Where did you get your table? I found the same table with a stainless top in the alley behind our building going out with the trash and am currently using it as a desk. I always wondered where it came from.
i would mix and match too.
I love the Marais chair and although it's played out the Louis Ghost arm chair...with maybe an upholstered chair in there.
But, I like character and creativity not boring.
How much do you want to spend on chairs? I love wishbone chairs http://hivemodern.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=1195
I absolutely love your table, I wish i was talented to do my own projects. I would go with the Thonet chair.
I'd love to see white Panton chairs at the ends with these seagrass chairs in the sides:
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/seagrass-chair/?pkey=cchairs
One speaks to the top the others to the side detail.
I would love to see something mismatched... either identical chairs of different colors, or different chairs but with similar stylistic elements.
My first thought was Arne Jacobsen too.
The open-ness of the Thonet is good and suitable in that they allow the strong materials of the floor and table to stand out...tho I'd think something upholstered would be better if you are going to use the table for long, sitting-around type occasions.
Mix and match. Dark, black or black/brown. Modern, light style. All wood or metal. No woven seats or backs. The table is very spare and all straight lines. Follow your own lead.
I like the basic chair you posted. Don't want to distract from the custom table. Please just don't do benches.
Of the chairs you posted, I like the Mollers. But I think I would really love Marais chairs with your table (which is totally cool, by the way).
http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/marais-a-chair.do?sortby=ourPicks
I think the metal would be great against those beautiful floors.
Black Panton S chairs!
Mismatched and -- please -- something w/lower back support!
the first chair i thought of was the Steelwood cafe chairs by the Bourellec (sp?) brothers- maybe too matchy?
http://www.dezeen.com/2007/05/08/bouroullecs-and-heatherwick-for-magis/
beautiful table! yes, please tell us what you end up going with.
oh, and googling for the bourellec chair- i came across a site which linked me to a furniture maker called Porro with some pretty awesome looking stuff! I think the AT-ers would dig 'em:
http://www.porro.com/ita/main1.php
(I can't afford anything, but it's nice to look and dream..)
I was wondering if the tabletop is a laminate?? Thinking about making a similar table... what are the dimensions of the tabletop? Thanks! :)
I vote for the Moller chair, but some mix and match would be good.
Bertoia
Breuer
I really like the pot plant--what kind of flower is that?
My first thought was white Panton chairs, too. The sleek curvaceous minimalism would contrast nicely with the straight lines of the herringbone parquetry.
W I S H B O N E chairs all the way!!
Wow, thanks, so many useful suggestions! From sea grass to metal and everything in between ;-)
And thank you for loving my floor. It was one of the main reasons I bought the apartment, besides the lovely green view, in the heart of Amsterdam.
To answer the questions about the table, making this table was VERY simple. As I said, it has an IKEA under frame (Vika Moliden), and the top is made of multiplex (also called plywood). I ordered it at a building company, the material is often used to make concrete constructions of buildings, but it's also used as floor parts. I had two multiplex layers glued on top of each other, to get a thick top of 1.4 inches (standard is 0.7). They oiled the sides. It is very strong and water resistant. I has a white epoxy layer, which makes it very smooth, you can get it in many colours. And: it is cheap! If you plan to make this, get somebody to help you getting to under frame attached to the table top. It takes some strength to get the screws in.
To go back to your chair suggestions: I was really thinking about Thonets, they are nice to look at, but ... are they comfortable to sit on a whole dinner evening?
Wishbones are lovely, but don't fit into my budget, as some other design suggestions. Bouroullecs are a great suggestion. Actually now I am thinking about buying the basic dining chairs and painting these in brown, black, white or beige-green, all the same color or different colors, with a shiny finish. But I am still in doubt, so keep them coming!
The plant is an orchid oncidium.
Love the table design! I think an upholstered chair would be the way to go. The dining experience should appeal to all the senses: look, smell, and touch, and you want your guests to feel like lingering over that last glass of wine. And don't match all the chairs. Maybe 4 side chairs and a long bench with upholstered cushion, (Ballard design has a great high back bench), or the side 4 side chairs with backless upholstered stools at the ends, (these would be very versatile, you can move these anywhere you need extra seating).
Copy and paste this for some really cool leather stools to mix with 4 side chirs.
http://stores.advancedinteriordesigns.com/-strse-2319/Sultan-Bench-in-Ivory%2C/Detail.bok
A pair of these would look smashing!