Dining Area Update
I’ve had a lot of questions about my dining table, so I thought I’d create an article dedicated to it! As many of you might know it’s a replica of the tulip table designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in the 1940s and 50s. It’s a classic and timeless design, and one that I’ve had my eye on for forever. When I moved into my new apartment last year I knew immediately that I wanted a round table to fit the dining area that I’ve created in front of the window, and finding a Saarinen style was top of my list! I felt that a round table was a much better shape than square or rectangle and feel it works so much better, not only to allow the air and energy to flow easily, Feng Shui-style, but also because my space has large windows that open inwards on each side and the curved table allows more space for the windows to open. I also opted for a marble top as I think it adds a touch of sophistication to the table and of course it looks great in photos!
Sadly the Knoll table was outside of my budget – they retail for 4000€ and upwards, but there are some great copies on the market and if you have beady eyes and patience you can also find them second hand. I ended up buying a new replica for around the 1000€ mark. I chose to do this as I thought it would take the stress away from any complications with delivery (I live on the fourth floor without a lift). Sadly I had a very bad experience with the site (hence I won’t be mentioning it) and on delivery they dumped it in the entrance hall without offering any service to bring it into my apartment – even though I’d paid extra. I had to then pay two men to help bring it up the stairs and a kind neighbour helped me unpack it. Luckily it was in good condition. Anyway just to explain why I won’t be promoting the site I purchased it from. I have however found some great alternatives below!
My chairs are the Afteroom chairs from Menu and I also have a replica of the ‘Eiffel’ chair that Eames designed for Vitra. I would love a set of 4-6 chairs, Marcel Brueur is the obvious choice, but the tulip table + Brueur chairs pairing is very common pairing in Paris, so I’m thinking perhaps a set by Carl Hansen & Son.
The table does of course come with matching tulip chairs, which a good friend of mine has in her house in LA, but they take up more space which is a little tricky for my place which is on the small side. Anyway the Afteroom chairs work for now - I might even just get two more of those and then a bench to go under the window. What would you do?
