NY Good Questions: A Table For These Metal Chairs?

12.7chair.jpg Hello AT,

I'm in my first apartment, and I'd love some pointers on selecting a dining table to match four gray metal chairs.

I'd like something to brighten up the space, but that still complements the chairs--although I'm not afraid of a little contrast.

I'm also trying to keep it around 42" (it's a small room).

I love the Saarinen table, but I'm afraid its organic shape wouldn't go with the angles of the chairs. Any suggestions?

I also plan to re-cover the cushions, if that affects anything.

Thanks! Elise

(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)

12.7stable.jpg

Comments (10)

I'd think you are on track with a round table.

But I think the chairs are looking for a contemporary glass and steel table rather than a classic design.

I'd think the same if the cushions were re-upholstered as well.

Anything large enough to obscure those chairs from full view should get the job done.

I'm not a huge fan of those chairs, but a more solid fabric and a glass/iron 'bistro' style round table should work with those... think outdoor cafe tables, maybe?

Yeah, I do recognize that these chairs aren't in a style the AT community usually prefers, but I also think it sometimes takes a few gambles to get something unique and interesting. These probably aren't the chairs I'll stick with my entire adult life, but they're what I have now, and I intend to make them as attractive as possible.

So thanks for the suggestions - I really do appreciate them. :-)

Maybe a bistro table...and I keep being tempted by colorful paint.

Ooh, I like the suggestion, jblue. Thanks!

Well, they're Pier 1 chairs. The store currently carries a table base in the metal/color. It's sort of buttefly shaped and you can put whatever size glass top on it you like. It's a pretty great looking table.

Page 35 of the Furniture Book on their website. Dining Table Base za( 2144447).

I though they looked like something I would find at Pier 1. If you like and can afford a saarinen it would make sense to me to go ahead and get the table. Use the chairs you have and then replace them if you want with something of higher quality later. You may find that in time the Pier1 chairs "ain't cutting it" then you'll be stuck with some table that you matched to them. I used to have metal Pier 1 chairs, they were fine but they wrecked my floors.

Hasn't anyone ever heard of the word "eclectic"? I have wrought iron throughout my home together with wood pieces ranging from midcentury mod to country. In my kitchen I paired wrought iron chairs (painted a pale sage with a vintage finish) with a country cherry wood table. I think your chairs would look good with a brown/black or mahagony table and you can either paint them a bronze with gold undertone or keep them as is but I would definitely replace the seats with a nice rich fabric.

I'd actually do a square Parson's style table with a glass top for these chairs. Celebrate the metal, celebrate the "squareness," and contrast the linear legs with the chunky square leg of the Parsons style.