Saarinen Tables Across Apartment Therapy

There's a theory, known as reticular activation, which suggests that whenever you're focused on something -- say you're pregnant or going to Africa -- it suddenly appears everywhere. Well, that theory's been set into motion for us by a friend who's considering buying a Saarinen table for her apartment. Suddenly, we're seeing them everywhere. Just for fun, we decided to cast a net across Apartment Therapy and see how many home tours featured this iconic piece...

We rounded up these 11 but there may be more. Not only does it come in a number of great variations (we especially like the black version in Brad and Kendra's home from Apartment Therapy Boston) and sizes, but it can handle pretty much any chair, lighting or room style you can throw at it (not literally, of course, or you might crack the marble on those versions). What do you think? Is this table one of your dream pieces or are you tired of it?

Comments (15)

You do realize that the first 2 pix aren't Saarinen tables?

They appear to be the unfortunate plastic IKEA knockoff...

posted by bepsf on September 11th 2009 at 1:34pm
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Nice call Bepsf.

posted by Comicgeek on September 11th 2009 at 1:50pm
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I don't think it's IKEA, because it seems to be made of a sturdier material. But you're right. A few of these don't look like Saarinen

Nicolette
http://www.furnitureanddesignideas.com/

posted by Nicolette Design on September 11th 2009 at 1:52pm
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Aha! I am so glad there's a term for this phenomenon.

posted by LittleEdie on September 11th 2009 at 1:56pm
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i have been craving the lamp in the first picture for what seems like years. oh to have a stable home where i could finally put up that lamp...oh, and the tables are lovely. what're we talking about?

posted by the polish chick on September 11th 2009 at 2:01pm
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Bepsf is right, and it was my first thought: The first two images are the Ikea Docksta table. Most assuredly not Saarinen.

posted by screenname on September 11th 2009 at 2:09pm
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we're the first photo and yes, the table is the IKEA knock off. we're taking it one severely expensive piece at a time.

@polishchick: i'd definitely wait until you are somewhere you plan on staying. that thing was really annoying to install...

posted by mharwitt on September 11th 2009 at 2:33pm
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ahhhhhh, the marble-topped Saarinen. i die.

http://mylittleapartment.blogspot.com/

posted by my little apartment on September 11th 2009 at 3:08pm
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I purchased the licensed real thing with a marble top about a year ago after coveting for a very long time. Love it. Don't care if it's everywhere.

I think I may be frequenting AT too often - I had dream that featured bepsf as the queen of AT land! She looked a little like Lorena from True Blood.

posted by karamel on September 11th 2009 at 3:14pm
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I love mine!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/small-cool-2009/small-cool-2009-joel-marias-miami-modern-small-division-13-081808?image_id=10914

and here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/82525810@N00/590946086/in/set-72157602940258814/

-joel

posted by joel maria pirela on September 11th 2009 at 3:30pm
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I love the smaller side table version. My places are always too small to ever have full sized tables.

posted by Heather C on September 11th 2009 at 4:00pm
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Pretend the post is titled 'Saarinen Styled Tables Across Apartment Therapy'. Problem solved. If I was ever in the market for a table, I'd be all over these. Real or fake the look is nice. Unfussy and visually uncluttered.

posted by Nephthys on September 11th 2009 at 5:18pm
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oh oh, i think this means they're over - and mine (CB2 knock-off) was on your site once, too! -- http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/inspiration/guess-the-decade-blue-kitchen-the-answer-044373

posted by 50s Pam on September 11th 2009 at 5:36pm
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Since my House Tour, I sold the Ikea chairs and bought Pantone ones. Looks much better!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/allabouteve/3410436973/

posted by Eve in Hochelaga on September 12th 2009 at 10:39pm
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Yes! Yes! Yes! I love the Saarinen table! It makes traditional funky and fresh. And it never goes out of style. Anything that reminds me of my happy childhood. It's funny that there was also a recent post on nostalgic furniture.

posted by Tobyacts on September 13th 2009 at 11:54am
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