We have all seen the eclectic look of rustic farmhouse tables with modern chairs. But what about a more polished and formal dining tables? How would such a table look with chairs from a different era?
Our dining room chairs, antique balloon back chairs we snagged at an auction, are on their last legs. They are unstable and not very comfortable for lingering around the table. I still love them but think I would rather scatter them through the house as occasional chairs. But I have no intention of getting rid of my table, which is a 200-year-old mahogany antique that extends with a hand crank! It's one-of-a-kind. And I love that it is so old and so beautiful and so meticulously constructed. So, now it's time to find modern or contemporary chairs. Or is it?
Images:
FIRST ROW
1 Houzz. Here, a formal and feminine dining table is paired with Bertoia chairs for a wonderfully eclectic and light look.
2 Houzz. This table looks almost identical to mine. The chairs do not look new; however, their lines are quite modern looking and they have been reupholstered in a very un-stodgy fabric. Perhaps it is best to stick with something like this?
3 House to Home. This stunning antique pedestal table is paired with a bright, colorful and eclectic bunch of chairs. The look is very lovely, though perhaps wouldn't work quite so well with a rectangular table that needs to serve as a regular eating space?
4 Elle Decor. Wegner wishbone chairs are a nice match for this delicate and refined table.
5 Desire to Inspire. Here a rather ornate and old-fashioned dining room table is paired with chairs that look comfortable and sturdy but are also very streamlined and modern, providing a nice contrast with the intricate patterns of the table.
SECOND ROW
6 Visual Vamp. A traditional table (possibly antique and laquered or maybe a repro) looks cool with these funky tulip chairs.
7 Lonny via La Dolce Vita . The big contemporary and cozy armchairs are appealing, though probably too big for our space. The contrast is nice but I wonder if the big armchairs overwhelm the space?
8 Dwellers Without Decorators. This blogger chose to pair her formal pedestal table with your basic contemporary chairs, which do look comfortable and practical, though I think I would lean for more modern and less "contemporary."
9 Visual Vamp. A traditional dining table looks terrific with these playful Panton chairs. A very fun combination.
(Images: As credited above.)
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I still have a picture I cut out of a magazine 40 years ago that does the opposite. It's a large white marble Saarinen tulip table with beautiful Georgian chairs around it.
That contrast of beautiful antique wood with the simple modern form of the table is just beautiful.
I am in love with the pedestal table in the third photograph. Stunning! Does anyone have an idea of where I might find a similar table, outside of scouring craigslist and flea markets?
Great inspiration! My fiance is extremely attached to his antique "claw" dining table and I've been trying to figure out how to still make my dining room fun and modern.
I'm stuck between Panton chairs and metal Maris chairs. I love both.
I've done the same thing. I inherited a beautiful antique table with heavy carved legs that's finished a dark, almost black, wood tone. I wanted to pair it with super modern chairs for contrast, but my S.O. wasn't having it. We settled on pairing it with cream colored curved crossed-back chairs from Pier One. They still contrast in color and style, but the combination manages to have a nice harmony to it that works for our dining room.
This is my favourite look: good design pairs best with good design. The juxtaposition is both exciting and interesting, and the most natural. Comfort is a really important consideration: you have to be careful that the height of the table and that of the chairs is compatible, and that if you use a side chair, you do not choose one with a cant away from the table.