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Best Small-Scaled Modern Dining Chairs

4-10-best chairs1.jpgSmall dining room? You'll need some small and/or delicate-appearing chairs that don't overwhelm. Check out our favorites below the jump.

Comments (22)

You can never go wrong with them IKEA GILBERT chairs. No matter where I look, they become the standard in which I compare the kitchen chairs to.

posted by ekoshyun on 2008-04-11 00:39:39
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In our dining room we have 4 LumiSource Telescoping Chairs in clear Acrylic. You can even order them from Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/LumiSource-Telescoping-Chair-Set-Clear/dp/B0001CKWZK

Because they are clear, they don't appear to have any sense of bulk. They are well made, and have held up like new for years.

Here they are in our dining room:
http://www.awardshow.name/temp/apartment/01_dining_room.jpg

posted by chris (nyc) on 2008-04-11 02:00:16
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Don't forget about Emeco's aluminium Navy chair, which is just the perfect dinning chair.

posted by raph on 2008-04-11 06:09:13
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oooh I have fallen in lust with that Catifa 46. <3

posted by peekay on 2008-04-11 08:21:23
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I second the Series 7 -- so elegant, yet compact. I'm surprised that the Saarinen tulip isn't on the list. I think the lack of legs would be really great for a cramped dining area. On that note, the Catifa 46, which I think is really gorgeous, seems to take up a lot of room, as its legs have quite a span.

posted by visualingual on 2008-04-11 09:18:43
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Would the series 7 look good in a traditional dining room with a queen anne style dining table? I really like the idea of modern-ish chairs paired with our table, but my wife thinks that it will look terrible.

posted by Archie on 2008-04-11 09:22:51
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Would the series 7 look good in a traditional dining room with a queen anne style dining table?

Ooh, I can actually the Series 7 looking great paired with a table with cabriolet legs. Try mocking up the combo you have in mind [digitally, or collaging photos together] and see what you and your wife think.

posted by visualingual on 2008-04-11 09:34:32
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Archie, I have fantasized having a fantastic heavy antique dining table surrounded by either Series 7 or Ant chairs. So if you ever have me over to dinner, I'd be sure to compliment the pairing!

posted by Molly Margarita on 2008-04-11 09:49:28
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Right now, I'm really partial to Room and Board's Boxy Chair in walnut:

www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=378061&cat=51

Great deal at $89 for real walnut veneer.

posted by AlmostAD on 2008-04-11 10:57:07
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I am fond of the Kyoto chair from DWR, and it is actually, er, well, "within reach."

posted by rubyred on 2008-04-11 11:09:20
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Chris G.--I've been looking at the lumiSource telescoping chairs for a month or so. I haven't seen them in person. Do they fold? I'm looking for something I can fold and store.

posted by lucitebox on 2008-04-11 12:18:12
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Ha! I had both the Emeco and the Tulip on the list, along with others, but the list seemed way too long. Will add them back in.

posted by leslie on 2008-04-11 13:09:40
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ChrisG, i went to the amazon link before i looked at the picture of your dining room and thought they were totally hideous but they really look great in your space.

posted by vertigo on 2008-04-11 14:25:57
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ChrisG,

I agree with vertigo - they look like warehouse-store dreg on the Amazon site. In your photo they look incredible. How fantastic you found their true potential!

posted by AlmostAD on 2008-04-11 21:45:36
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I had not been back here since posting and did not realize I had generated conversation. I don't know if anyone will ever be back here to read my reply, but "thank you".

Yes, the photo on Amazon's site is terrible and does not do the chair justice. They are very solid, quite a bit heavier than they would appear, and yes, to answer lucitebox, they do fold.

Kind regards,
Chris

posted by chris (nyc) on 2008-04-29 03:27:45
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ChrisG, do you know of any place in New York where those chairs are available? They look amazing, but I'd like to test them out before I purchase.

posted by LDB on 2008-05-16 13:48:43
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The Linus chairs from Ikea are wonderful for a small space, and quite comfortable.

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/70116945

posted by Piztachio on 2008-05-21 16:36:45
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saarinen chairs are the absolute best!
i just picked up 4 and the table for 100 bucks!
thank you criagslist!

posted by mr.smilemore on 2008-05-28 18:14:53
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LDB,

At a most unlikely place... I bought two of mine at a lighting store on the Upper West Side called LightForms (the first two were bought out of town and shipped here).

http://lightformsinc.com

509 Amsterdam Avenue (btw 84th & 85th)
Phone: (212) 875-0407

Store Hours:
Monday - Friday 11:00AM - 7:00PM
Saturday 11:00AM - 6:00PM
Sunday Noon - 5:00PM

cheers,

posted by chris (nyc) on 2008-06-01 03:32:08
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I personally think Hightower Group has a great selection:

http://www.hightoweraccess.com/pricelist/stackchairs.html

Definitely work checking out.

posted by Anne NYC on 2008-06-02 22:12:07
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I always wanted an ear shaped chair so when people came round and asked 'where do i sit?' i could say 'sit ear'.....get it? Well, I thought it was funny :s

I don't like IKEA chairs, had some bad experiences with quality.

posted by Kitchen Designs on 2008-06-11 06:24:44
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We use the Saarinen Tulip side chairs for our dining area, and I love how compact and comfortable they are. Not having the legs is also a great advantage. The Jacobsen Series 7 chairs are also great, and their stackability makes them great for both primary use and to have in reserve for extra seating (as we do).

posted by DarrenB on 2008-07-02 17:34:59
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