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Good Questions: Good Seating Match for This Table?
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033109goodquest1-1.jpgMy husband and I received a beautiful antique wood dining room table as a gift and while we love it we have no idea how to pick out chairs for it. We've tried to find chairs on numerous occasions without success so we're hoping the AT community can help. Ideally we'd like something that's stackable since we don't have a lot of room. Best, Jam

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Good Questions, chairs, table, antique

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Comments (17)

This is a very traditional table...

Since you state that you simply must have stackable chairs, you're restricting your choices to items that are either very modern or very "office" - and my guess is that the reason you're having difficulty with choosing chairs is that you're not finding the mix of modern and traditional pleasing.

I believe that if you simply skipped the idea of stacking chairs, you'd have a much easier time making a choice that's pleasing to you.

posted by bepsf on March 31st 2009 at 12:47pm
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Back in the 50s, nice wooden folding chairs for bridge tables were manufactured. I've found a couple of sets of these at yard sales and used them as spares in small spaces. If you took them to a good refinisher/upholsterer, you could make them look wonderful with this table, which is older than the chairs, but would work, I think.
Their shortcoming is that they are not the most comfortable chairs. I think you're going to find that chairs of the right vintage to go with this table are not likely to be stackable.
One possible solution is to get a pair of nice chairs that go well with the table for daily use and foldable chairs you can store until guests arrive. There are chairs currently being manufactured that fold up.
Good luck! A friend is going to give me a similar table. I'm looking forward to restoring its finish. I'll be using it as a desk.

posted by rapunzel on March 31st 2009 at 12:49pm
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How about two comfortable chairs of the same period, with four folding chairs in the closet, like Rapunzel suggested? Also, I find that wicker chairs are very practical in small places - they are comfortable, come in many styles, can be used for dining and moved easily to a lounging area or outside.

posted by bromelia on March 31st 2009 at 12:56pm
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stools just makes sure they are 18 inches high.

posted by ojanet on March 31st 2009 at 12:59pm
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I like the idea of 2 bigger/nicer chairs and then some extra folding chairs. They make much nicer styles nowadays. I've seen wooden ones at Costco and BB&B

posted by minnesara on March 31st 2009 at 1:03pm
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stackable chairs for a formal antique table such as this one could be a difficult match up. These chair are fairly sleek:

http://www.ergobacksolutions.com/store/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=709&idcategory=0

posted by eek on March 31st 2009 at 1:09pm
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I agree that the issue is more that we need two chairs that we can use all the time and then chairs that can be stored away until we have company. We're currently using our two office chairs from upstairs which has made the table into more of a workspace. So any ideas on nice chairs (ignoring the stackable requirement) would be great.

posted by meelahj on March 31st 2009 at 1:18pm
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What about some upholstered chairs? If you only buy two, maybe you could splurge a little. Ikea has a few, but you could look anywhere really...CB2, Target...

I'm sure you can find stackable chairs at IKEA, like the NORDMYRA and GILBERT chairs.

posted by Where You Hang Your Hat on March 31st 2009 at 1:32pm
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Home Decorators has some more traditional, wooden folding chairs:

http://www.homedecorators.com/Furniture/Kitchen_&_Dining_Room/Folding_Chairs/

posted by catlike on March 31st 2009 at 2:02pm
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If that were my table, I'd choose a pair of these upholstered dining chairs in the Danish Linen:

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/comShop/customProdAction.do%3Faction%3DinitCustom?ruleID=2357&itemID=1880&path=1%2C2%2C1443%2C1475%2C1683&itemType=PRODUCT&iProductID=1880

Then I'd choose a pair of these Winslow Folding Chairs - in Fruitwood or Black - which happen to be on Sale:

http://www.ballarddesigns.com/Furniture/Chairs/Folding-Chairs/Winslow-Folding-Chair/p/9322?path=1%2C2%2C1443%2C1475%2C1686&iProductID=9322

posted by bepsf on March 31st 2009 at 2:43pm
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what about tolix chairs? you can get them in any color under the sun, they are stackable, and while i have mine paired with a MCM table, i think they also have a sort of old fashioned look to them.

posted by CaliinFrance on March 31st 2009 at 2:48pm
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with only a little more clutter on the table, nobody will even be able to see it so you can use anything you want without worrying about whether it clashes! LOL, sorry, couldn't resist


these are a tad expensive but might mix well with the table;

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/chairs/juliana-armchair.do?sortby=ourPicks

posted by sousa609 on March 31st 2009 at 3:08pm
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thanks for these suggestions...

sousa609 - seriously its getting out of hand as its become a place to work (notice the stack of books for my dissertation and my laptop), a place to eat, and a place to hold things that have yet to be framed (NYT papers from the day after the election and inauguration)...if we had chairs we could move our desk chairs back upstairs and work at our desks which would be ideal and decrease at least some of the clutter...

posted by meelahj on March 31st 2009 at 4:28pm
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What about Ghost chairs? Shares the simple but slightly curvy shape of the table legs, and the visual lightness would help balance the heavy table. Maybe a pair of Louis Ghost for your daily use and a pair of Victoria Ghost for when guests come.

*ducks*

posted by Cheryl on March 31st 2009 at 5:51pm
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The Ghost chairs sractch as soon as you look at them. They're cute, but impractical for daily use. I think the stackable idea isn't helping. Why not find two chairs you really like--don't have to match--look on Craigslist--and then add others as you need/find them.

posted by Palmetto on March 31st 2009 at 7:03pm
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Which is why there's Novus Acrylic Polish :)

posted by Cheryl on March 31st 2009 at 9:38pm
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I would recommend the Marias chairs from DWR. I have these, and I absolutely love them. They complement wood nicely, and because they are a classic shape, they blend well with more traditional furnishings. They can also be used outdoors ... oh how I love thee marias chairs ...

As a bonus, they are stackable up to 10 high!

http://www.dwr.com/category/outdoor/marais-collection.do

posted by julieleanne on April 6th 2009 at 8:51pm
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