I have been shopping for a round table and 3 chairs for my Nolita eat-in kitchen. I'm a novice decorator and seem to have a split decorating personality. Help me decide. First I picked out the Zero table (in wenge) and 3 colorful Eames Eiffel chairs from DWR. Then I wandered over to Pompanoosuc Mills in Tribeca and was charmed by the simple, enduring wood designs. What do you think? Cool, colorful design or well-made, understated simplicity? I only have one kitchen.
Thanks, Lori"
Dear Lori, Though it really depends on the REST of your apartment, we're going to put in a pitch for the Zero and Eiffel chairs because we're lovin' COLOR lately.
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Totally depends on the vibe of the kitchen.
But a compromise piece (table-wise) might be Crate & Barrel's Galerie Dining Table:
www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=881&f=6852
"simple, endearing wood designs" never go out of style and neither do Eames Eiffel chairs. it may seem counter-intuitive, but mixing the two will get you an eclectic, personal kitchen that isn't "too" anything. make your split personality work for you!
There are a lot of much nicer wood tables you could get for that price, so I'd have to go with the Zero.
I'm not a big fan of oak, and I love white metals, so the one on the left wins, in my book, but the context is very important.
I also like the split personality thing, but it still depends on adjoining cabinets, flooring, cabinet ahradware, etc.
I also love the high/low combo of prices/sources, so another option would be Ikea's Docksta table and Cherner chairs in orange
Zero plus Eames (side chair?). Love the Eames chairs. Colors?
Between the two, I'd go for a Zero. But my vote is really for a Saarinen table, probably off Craigslist, and the Eames chairs. The Zero just looks to me like it's trying to be a Saarinen. And the resale value, if you ever decide to sell, would be better. (It took me a long time and a lot of wasted money to realize that, personally. . .)
Another option would be to pair the Eames chairs with the Eames round dining table. It's available at DWR too, but you can get it in many different colors (both wood veneer and laminate) at highbrowfurniture.com I would also go for the Eames chairs in fibreglass from Modernica as opposed to the plastic ones from DWR.
Reef
I'd go with the Zero over the wood table, but more than that I'd check the following on the Zero--are there leveling feet under the base? Very important in any table. Another thing to consider--what type of connection does the top have to the base? If it's relatively simple, you can always in the future have a new, different finish/color top made when you change the look of your kitchen! I have an aluminum pedestal base dining table, vintage for $50, that I had a new laminate top made for (by a local counter top guy) in exactly the color I wanted, best money I ever spent.
good luck!
The Zero is gorgeous and I have a soft spot for Eames. Look at it this way -- worst case senario -- you get sick of them and sell them on Craigslist. The Eames chairs will retain their value for sure.