apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Get the marble Saarinen and tell your husband to shut it.

Overall, it seems the saarinen would be more kid-friendly: no glass, no sharp corners, no finger prints.

Not to mention the upkeep of keeping a glass table clean and fingerprint free...

I suggest creating a footprint of the exact table-top dimensions from butcher paper. Then put your chairs around it. This will give you a sense of which shape fits better in the space.

Glass is a great surface for small spaces. You can see through it, creating the illusion of space. But, glass with small children means messy messy messy. How do you feel about finger prints all over the underside and topside of your glass table? Scratches are not easily repaired. My glass coffee table top was scratched accidentally by my housekeeper when dragged a silver bowl on the surface. It's only noticible if you're looking in the right light, but I was bummed that this happened within the first couple weeks of overship. I love that it makes a small room feel less cramped though.

Marble is gorgeous and durable. It's much easier to sand out scratches (have it done professionally, please). White is much better than a dark color, so if you can't have glass in a small space, white is the next best.

Net: see which shape works best. Then decide if glass is right for a family with a child. You may find that a round glass table or a square marble table is really what you want. Good luck!

Also, unless you only give your child plastic utensils, the glass table will probably end up with scratches.

therapy4me is right. Saarinen is the best. The Le Corbusier LC6 looks like a prison table, fit for unfeeling moments and for looking at other people's toes (through all the fingerprints you won't be able to clean off, as said above). Those glass corners are a hospital trip waiting to happen.

The glass table is cool, but not child friendly. Get the round one.

Another vote for the Saarinen. Looking at the sharp edges on the other table all I could see was forehead lacerations. Besides, in ten years, the Saarinen will keep its classic proportions and simple beauty far better than the Corbusier.

If you have a 6 month old, I would suggest that you do NOT get a glass top table of any kind. You would be surprised how quickly they will find their way on top of it. I once fell through a glass coffee table as a young child and was VERY lucky to walk away with no major lacerations (my parents got rid of the whole set the next day). Not to mention, the corners of that glass topped table look sharp and not too kid-head-friendly.

Your pick is certianly the more family friendly of the two options.

I second everyone who says tell the hubby that a glass table is muy impractical with a little one. Not to mention the Saarinen is far more attractive (IMHO).

How about a Platner dining table? Metal and Glass but round.

My mom has a glass top table, and while there are no little kids running around she is SICK AND TIRED of wiping dog noseprints off the bottom of the glass.

Now imagine what a motivated toddler could do with somthing like that.

glass with sharp edges is a HUGE mistake! Only a guy would pick that glass table.

therapy4me . . . still laughing. Totally agree.

The LC table comes in a ash top, natural or dark stain. I don't think the marble is right either, not very kid friendly. Comparing apples to oranges.

ditto with everyone's comments about the glass. it's seriously a pain to keep clean, even without a child smudging it.

if you're having trouble convincing your husband to your opinion, try making separate lists about what you specifically like and dislike about about both tables. identify which points are most important to both of you, what areas you can compromise on, and go shopping from there.

If I were strictly considering "Greatest Hits" MCM dining table styles, I'd compromise with the Platner Dining Table:

http://www.knoll.com/products/product.jsp?prod_id=610
(the Knoll annual sale in early May - Wait till then to place your order if this or the others you posted)

However, it seems that there are so many other choices out there - and you obviously have the means - Why not consider something fabulous, unique and vintage?

1stDibs has an stunning array of 20th Century dining tables on their website.

A few amazing examples:

This c1959 Tapering Bronze Pedestal Base with Large Circular Top of Agate:
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=265497

A 1963 Poul Kjaerholm PK 54 table for E. Kold Christensen
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=255621

An ornate 1950's-60's Gilded Rope Dining Table by Edna Cox
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=222969

Or a 1950's French Nickel Plated Bamboo Table
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=232829

I'm a guy, and i agree that the glass table's not going to be family friendly. However....

Not to rain on your parade- but I looked up your round table. I instantly saw the words "Finnish designer" and $1087.00. Then I read your post and I saw "six month old." Um.... no.

Now imagine apple juice, ketchup, eggs, and baby food splattered all over it every single day. Ask: "What table will best serve my family in this stage of life?" Getting a fancy table for its own sake should be of least concern.

I know you don't want to hear it, but the bottom line is, keep the needs of your family at the center of your decision. Don't adjust the family to suit the needs of a table. This goes with anything in life you buy- house, car, etc.

Save yourselves from the misery. Get a $150.00 wooden table. When the kids are older, then get your dream table.

BTW - Just because a table comes with a glass top doesn't mean you have to stick with it...

...You could always have a slab of marble or granite cut for it or a thick walnut or teak top fabricated and end up with something fabulous and uniquely yours.

Both tables would make me nervous with a toddler because they seem to want to climb on top of everything. The sharp corners on the glass table at what will soon be forehead height seems like a trip to the emergency room waiting to happen...and if they could actually break the top while standing on it...I don't even want to think about that. I actually have a 4 inch scar on my shin from knocking into a rectangular glass coffee table while vaccuuming. The Saarinen table seems a bit top heavy for kids. If its not super stable the kid could tip it over while trying to climb on to it. With that heavy marble top, obviously that could be a disaster too. I would go with something wooden and sturdy like a Parson's table until the kid is much older...like 25 and no longer living at home.

Sammy is right... combine our two posts.

Imagine your table with kids climbing on it and jumping off of it. Now imagine apple juice, ketchup, eggs, and baby food splattered all over it every single day.

The table that you can imagine best in this scenario- that is the table you need to get.

I'm getting rid of my glass table.. the fingerprints and smudges it collects from just two adults is enough to drive me nuts.

I feel your pain. We can never agree on anything either. Give him a compromise, you get this table, but give on something else.

"The Saarinen table seems a bit top heavy for kids. If its not super stable the kid could tip it over while trying to climb on to it. "

Unlike the cheap knockoffs - the Knoll Saarinen table bases are solid cast aluminum: A little kid wouldn't be able to budge that thing.

@bepsf: That Mangiarotti agate-top table is stunning. I covet it. But it's $75,000.

@Alex45, the food wouldn't be an issue. Marble is pretty sturdy and remarkably resiliant as long as you're prepared for the shine to wipe off with acidic things (sealant would prevent that). I do have to agree with you, though, that neither of these seems very family friendly. I'd be afraid of the kid pulling the Saarinen down onto his/her head and glass child seems like an accident waiting to happen. Corners were not my friend as a child, either.

On the other hand, if the letter-writer thinks/is sure that the Saarinen couldn't be upset by a determined child, then I'd go for that one. Otherwise, find something round with legs and get your dream table when the kid is older and less likely to get hurt doing something stupid with the table.

Glass tables in the kitchen require CONSTANT wiping, which means you can't ever leave anything on it (like a vase, etc.) because you're ALWAYS having to move it. They just never look clean. Plus, the Saarinen w/ marble is absolutely dreamy.

Tell him we said so, then go buy yourself that beautiful table.

therapy4me made me laugh out loud!!!

screenname -

It is?
I should have logged in to see the prices...
=:-O
(It is pretty tho, aint' it?)

I have a toddler and think both choices are impractical. The glass table - you will spend more time cleaning it than playing with your toddler. The Saarinen is easy to tip over.

We got a beautiful walnut MCM table on an estate sale for 150%. We have to clean it every single day and there are already some dings from toddler banging his spoon, etc.

The Darjeeling table from CB2 is beautiful and would easily withstand a toddler:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=202&f=4662&q=railroad&fromLocation=Search&DIMID=400001&SearchPage=1

That agate/bronze table is oh so beautiful.

@bepsf: It really is. It's heartbreaking. As soon as I saw it, I was ready to buy it. Sigh. (Of course, the first sign was that even after I logged in, it was "contact dealer" for the price. That's never good. Still since I really was going to buy it, I did contact said dealer - and learned it's one of only two in the whole wide world.)

My spouse can tell you that I have an unerring radar for the museum quality treasures that we can't afford.

Oh well.

i actually grew up with that Saarinen table in our house and it was really functional and great. HOWEVER, my friend left a lime on it overnight at a slumber party- oops. there is a lime print on it now. it is very sad, but fixable. anyway, my vote is the saarinen. i have knicked my hip/shins/etc. on too many glass tables to consider it a good family friendly choice!

i have the saarinen and absolutely love it...cant tell you what a relief it is not to bang my toes and legs on hard metal table legs. just clean with water & a rag...no chemicals needed. good luck!

screenname --

Museum Quality Radar: You and I both.

At least we know that there are other options out there beyond catalog-brand-new and "Greatest Hits of the MCM".

I'm still on the "we found the Magnum by Team 7 which we both liked but it's very expensive" part... On my budget, both the tables you're arguing about are considered expensive.

I have a toddler and a glass/wooden table. Mine is very similar to the Spanna table at design within reach but a warmer maple. Its still in great shape after 7 years.

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/dining/wood-tables/spanna-table.do?

The brand is Calligaris and it is sold at many Scandinavian Furniture stores (even though it is Italian). The look is very similar to what your husband was looking at but much easier to find.

I also have the Isola bent plywood chairs (with fabric not leather, didn't want to feel like I was slipping off the chairs). Which are very compact yet comfortable for me at 5'1 and my husband at 6'2. My set cost $1200 with table and 6 chairs (a bargain 7 years ago)

http://www.allmodernfurniture.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=GN1025&PiID=2152454&PiID=1204677&refid=FR32-GN1025_2152454_1204677

We have seated 8 people (a little cozy) at this table by using 2 primary pouf's from dwr under the original table when expanded.

http://www.dwr.com/product/furniture/living/ottomans-benches-stools/primary-pouf.do?

I used to love the LC6, until my office began using one as a conference table. Its beautiful to look at, but seiously lacks in functionality. The standard size glass top is very narrow, making seating across from each other very "friendly". The legs are very close together and always seem to be in the way of the people trying to sit around it. Not to mention they scratch easily...go with the Saarinen

CIRCLE CIRCLE CIRCLE. I hope showing him these comments will help.

I sold my husband's enormous rectangle table and bought a smaller pedestal and I've been happy, and he's kind of just forgotten about it.

The 6 month old pretty much seals the deal. Glass table with sharp corners or round table with no edges? I'm goin w/ samny not his.

Have you considered a custom table? You can find a way to compromise & still get something you both like. Not sure how much that costs, but I'm guessing the tables you're looking at are pretty expensive, and you could maybe get something for the same price custom.

Also what about your space? We're not only talking glass vs. marble (I vote marble, but my ultimate preference would be wood, just to confuse things :) we're talking rectangular vs. round. What shape fits your space best?

ps. the Le Corbusier LC6 looks like it belongs to a bachelor who never plans on getting married

As some have said, you can buy just the LC6 base and top it with wood, stone, etc. while you kids are small, then change to a glass top later. You can't do the same with the Saarinen.

I have the LC6 and use it as a desk and love it for that use. Perhaps that would be a compromise: put the Saarinen in the dining room and buy the LC6 as a desk for the home office (if you have one)?

Speaking as someone who has a 5yo and a 3yo, I urge you to consider something more kid-friendly. A glass table seems obviously impractical. I've never seen the Saarinen table IRL, but it looks top-heavy to me- which would be dangerous for both your child and the tabletop were it to be tipped over.

I have a really nice wood table in my garage... I'm waiting for my kids to get a little older before I bring it up. In the meantime, we're eating off a crappy little pine table I got for $40 from the Ikea scratch & dent section. When we're done with it, probably re-purpose it- though with all the little gouges, I could probably stain it dark and call it wormwood ;)

Were it me, I'd wait till my kids were old enough to be respectful of the furniture and/or coordinated enough to not tip it over, fall on it, or fall through it. If your little one is only 6mo, you have yet to realize how seriously the take gravity (which is, not much) and the lengths they will go through to defy it (you'll be amazed). Of course, YMMV!

Get the marble Saarinen and tell your husband his taste sucks.

I would not want to have either of those tables with small children in the house.

Regarding the LC6 table: glass corners children = Emergency Room Visit. As to the Saarinen table, my aunt and uncle bought a large oval one back in the early 60's and 45 years later it's still going strong. Those tables are remarkably durable and, if you don't want to risk marble, there are other surfaces. BTW, the aluminum base is deceptive, as its wide foot makes the table much sturdier than it looks. Small children wouldn't tip it over. Teenagers, however....

Another enthusiastic vote for the Saarinen!!

(the Corbusier table makes me shudder when I consider my own children -- no way!!)

Thank you for all the great suggestions. I almost fell off my chair when I saw my question featured. Though I have a "mild" AT fixation this is my first question.
@firebird: I actually saw this table, my husband was so/so on it. At foodefafa's suggestion will go back and try to make a list and more detailed feedback on our choices.
I like the Platner as well, and I checked out the suggestions by bepsf and thought wow, nice, but then noticed the price was only available upon inquiry. We are both lukewarm on cb2's Rivet table. http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=115&f=4629&viewall=1
We almost bought it but I am not sure about the metal edges, at least they don't protrude. I will show him comments and criticism of the LC6 from those that own it. As to the price, yes both tables are expensive, the price for the Saarinen at 54" in white marble is double that of the LC6.
Will post again once we decide....
Thanks again!

Malena --

Thanks for considering my suggestions:

BTW - The Edna Cox table is listed at $6800 and the Plated Bamboo Table is listed at $6500...

...but fortunately, everything in the vintage furniture world nowadays is negotiable ;-)

we used to have a glass coffee table.

one of the reasons we got rid of it, in addition to the fact that it wasn't our style, was because any time our friends would bring their kids over there would be fingerprints ALL over the damn thing.

and ours would get on it, too.

i can't imagine a glass kitchen table. it would make me crazy!

No no no glass. Unless you have a live-in housekeeper and are willing to pay him/her to clean it multiple times a day. You will be cleaning TOP and BOTTOM. How much fun will you have crawling underneath that DAILY to wipe off fingerprints? What a nightmare. As for the marble table--does the top fasten to the base? I'd want to ensure that it was very secure. Kids do climb, or try to. I have a marble table that was stained when my ex put a plant on it. I'd be a bit concerned about juice and mustard and spaghetti sauce. Still, it's beautiful.....

I don't like round tables, BUT... TULIP is wonderful, is the unic beautiful round table at any age. I have two: one white and one black.
I'm going move and I'll leave all my furniture, except my TULIP sidetables.

Most 1200 sq ft, 2-bedroom apartments aren't big enough for a 90" long table. Chances are, sometime in the next decade you will buy a house with a dining room and a breakfast room. Get the round table now, move it to the breakfast nook when you move, and buy Le Corbusier when you have more room (and older kids.)

OMG - the Sears Tower looks like it would tip over because it's so tall. . . Seriously folks - don't speak unless you know what you're talking about. Just because you experienced the Ikea knock-off doesnt mean you know anything about the Knoll version.

The Saarinen table WILL NOT tip over if you buy a real deal piece. The base is weighted extremely well in proportion to the top.

And - to the question...what about an OVAL Saarinen table as a compromise? I love the LC6, but it is very long and narrow. People sitting on either side are less than 1.5 feet to the center of the table. And people are correct about the fingerprints. I worked at a glass desk for a year and it was hell.

The Knoll marble is very durable, with a poly coating on top to prevent stains. Friends (with kids) have a Saarinen marble table and it looks fine after 3 years.

Or just go with the European attitude, get an uncoated marble and accept that stains will happen and will become a part of the table's history with your family.

The round one might tip over if your child tries pulling up on it.

I also grew up with a Saarinen table in our house and trust me, no kid short of a young Superman could tip that thing over. It's very very bottom heavy. Go with the Tulip.

We have 4 kids at the house between the ages of 6mths and 6 years. Ok, so we had an 8 seater round Rotunda: http://www.cassinausa.com/quick_pages/la_rotunda_cq.html. Our son hit his forehead once while learning to walk, no biggie - bumped it a few times playing underneath too. He never seemed to filth up the underside except when eating - and anyway I like to see all the grime - at least I wipe it clean (with a simple water vinegar mix in a spray bottle) rather than the underside of wood tables (hate to think what's still stuck under those from little fingers). You're wiping up anyway after a kids meal! Then we recently got the rectangle glass Habitat table as we couldn't fit the Rotunda in. My niece just started walking and she can already see the corners. I guess she'll bump her head - you can buy clear silicone corner pieces but come on! - some people are incredibly paranoid about corners and kids or is it just me! I love the glass as it makes our space seem larger. Marble is great but apparently they can stain depending on the colouring in kids juices etc, so good luck and forget what folks say about glass. You're wiping anyway with kids!

To m_j_s thank you when I mentioned the length of the LC6 to my husband, he agreed it was too long. Everyone's comments really helped and now, we have a new dining room table. We got the Saarinen, it arrived this week. Now to pick some chairs...