Isn't it wonderful when two come together and just click? We're not talking Valentines here, but furniture. Saarinen's Tulip Table and banquette seating, specifically. Just look how happy these two are together:
I have a small tulip table in my dining area and I've always been at a loss for the chairs around it (without spending a fortune, at least!). A banquette just might be the answer, as it grounds this visually light piece. The thought of this possible solution has this particular thrifty decorator swooning.
What about you - do you love this dynamic duo?
(Images: House Beautiful, Timothy Whealon Interiors, Interior Design, Southern Living, Martha Stewart Living)
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I love #5.
I like when it's nestled in a corner best. #5 is lovely.
When I bought my Saarinen, I originally intended to create a banquette-type situation. I ended up with chairs instead, but I still love the look of either a free-standing sofa or built-in custom seating paired with a Saarinen table. But any pedestal table will due. It's legs that start getting in the way.
Love it! I have a small Saarinen table (36") that I don't even have room for with chairs around it in my current place, so I was just thinking about a banquette shoved in a corner. Because I need my Saarinen table in my life, not in my storage.
My trouble with this is that only one or two people on the bench get a good seat with a round table. I've tried it and it's very uncomfortable when you're on the end and your plate is 2-3 feet away.
@cbreynolds, I fashioned a little "bridge" for the corner where my two benches meet for when people come over. It's just a thin plank of wood and the actual weight that goes on the bridge section is very small, but it allows the sitter to be at the edge of the table.
#1 looks terrific because the bench seat curves around the table, but the others seem impractical. A straight bench seat next to a round table means only one person on the bench can reach the table comfortably. That's a lot of seats wasted.
Do these Tulip tables come in other finishes/materials such as wood? I don't like the Space Odyssey look of them but I do think the shape is sculptural and practical.
@Jenjo: The bases of Tulip tables are made of metal and come in white or black. (I've seen knock-offs with silver metal bases as well.) But not wood - hard to form wood that large into that shape.
Tops (of authorized versions) can be various woods, or laminate, or marble, and possibly other stuff I don't know about/can't remember.
I have been wanting to put a bench with my round table forever, just haven't found the right one. I agree with CBREYNOLDS, it can't be too long or the curve of the table will have your food too far away from the seat. Great casual dining look, love it.
@Emmelemm Thanks for the info! Maybe a black base with a wood top would look more earthy. Or, one could paint the table or the base.
I *just* bought a curved love seat to put with a tulip table. I obviously love the look, but more so with a corner banquet (thus I bought a curved loveseat).
Source for # 5?