Oh, this is a truly craptacular photo... out of focus and not current... the walls are now white. And then there is my crazy pug running through the frame...
Anyway, I need suggestions for dining room chairs.
The table is soooo heavy so I don't want chairs with too much visual weight or that seem, you know, uncomfortable (duh). I also do not want Ghost chairs or anything Kartell-ish like that. Something more rad than trad, but I would be happy with something in between.
Suggestions?
My better half and I are thinking we should do benches or something similar on the window side of the table.
I think this sofa idea is brilliant (courtesy of Absolutely Beautiful Things): 
Maybe something like that in a cool fabric, with chairs at the ends and the other side of the table. Suggestions?
We hit up a big old antiques warehouse yesterday hoping to find some diamond-in-the-rough chairs and they were all pretty dowdy.
Help.
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Recommendations for dining room chairs?
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38 comments:
I love the look of the settee.
When you say bench, do you mean something with a back? That would be my recommendation whether or not it's upholstered. I can understand the reasoning behind benches - shove a crowd around the table - but I question it when my hosts are the only ones sitting in real chairs. Of course, I know you would never be a crappy hostess.
I'm going to apologize right off the bat because I am going to be completely negative, poo-poo your bench/sofa idea, and then offer no other solutions. Charming, I know. Sorry about that.
Honestly, I think the whole bench/sofa thing is a fad that looks better than it functions.
I had a sofa (really a bench with a back) years ago and it sucked. Looked pretty, but sucked. Everyone loved it--until they had to sit in it. Every time one person needed to get out of their seat for whatever reason, the entire party sitting on the bench had to get out. It's not like they could push themselves away from the table (they'd be pushing 1-2 other people as well) and if the bench/sofa also has arms like mine did, they'd have to hop the arm like a damn picket fence. A bench without a back? That's just uncomfortable. It's easier to get in and out of.
Just my poor experience with the whole sofa/bench thing.
Do you know Gio Ponti's Superleggera chair? Now made by Cassina. You might like it. It's like a sleek, classic-modern take on the chairs you have now:
http://www.cassinausa.com/designers.html?designers/ponti.html~mainFrame
(If link doesn't work, just Google "Superleggera" and "Ponti")
here's a better link:
http://www.architonic.com/cat/gal/1001979
Alison - you're so nice to give me the benefit of the doubt. I generally aim to avoid being a crappy host, but I do recall on night not too long ago when my dog kept bringing me his toy while I was seated at the dinner table and I, without realizing it, proceeded to keep throwing it for him. It was only when I almost hit our friend's head that I knew I was, um, out of line. And possibly drunk. :)
I see what you mean about the bench thing. Especially the backless part.
Jules - you're always honest, this is what I love about you. I didn't really think about functionality. I was just focused on how supercute Anna Spiro's bench is. Sigh.
Anon - I like that chair. A lot. I also love Donghia's Anziano chair. But I think that one would be uncomfortable. Can your chair handle long dinners? We don't have them very often, but when we do, we seem to sit for hours.
Okay, to be perfectly honest this table brings back memories of my years in the monastery where we monks would enjoy our morning gruel in silence. So this is a pretty tough assignment
Something as severe as that table is crying out for something curvy. Painted Frenchy upholstered chairs in a stripe or an Asian floral. Or how about something sleek and modern? Lucite but not ghost chair. No picnic benches please.
.
PS what color were the walls?
Ano #2 - yes, yes, yes. I think you are right. That's why I liked the French-y curviness of Anna's settee... but I hear you.. you're banning a bench. Got it.
Like this(-ish):
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=891&f=14491
Or this with a less dowdy fabric and with darker stain on legs?
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=891&f=22523
And yeah, the table is severe. SUPER severe. But it's also a little beat up (by design) and we like that it can take all kinds of abuse since it's where everything happens from meals to homework to gift-wrapping, to school projects that involve glue and staple guns.
Thanks for taking on a tough assignment. Send links, kiddo. I need all the help I can get.
The walls were Benjamin Moore Colonial Brick (I think) This shot makes them look orange-y. They are now like dove white. The white actually came out too chalky so I need to paint them (yet again) something warmer.
I can't find the right fucking shade of white and it seriously haunts me everyday. But I digress.
Sweetness,
Honestly, that's a good question about how comfortable the Superleggera is. Is there a way you can post a query to present owners, like in the Domino forums or some other place like that?
LOVE the Anziano chair, and sometimes fthink about wanting to buy just one, to use as sculpture somewhere in a room. It looks comfortable for up to an hour or so, but after that, I'm not sure.
I think with a table of that weight something softer would look better. The less wood you see, the better. Maybe something with--gasp--a slip cover? I know they are not popular and conjure up all sorts of images of Cottage Living (which, um, I happen to like) but I think they might look nice, especially in a linen. Not that drab mousey brown, though.
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=891&f=26141
Is that too frumpy for your taste? I don't know if I would do them all in slip covers--I would most likely have the chairs at the head of the table upholstered in the same or similar fabric, but in a style similar to the ones you already posted.
Not to toot my horn but the Casamidy chairs I carry are sublime and would be amazing here.
I am having a little contest. Make sure to stop by my blog.
I like Jules' suggestion, but I think I like the side-chair variation better:
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=897&f=13301
Just a little more stylish, and you still get the comfort of the upholstered back and seat.
I saw those Anon, and they are more stylish--I was thinking those or similar for the two heads of the table. I don't love them for the length of the table because I thought the slim leg of the Miles side chair might look diminutive next to the heavy legs of the table. You don't agree?
i am no fan of brocade home, but i think their bent wood chairs in white are pretty fab looking for the price (199.00). i haven't a clue if they are comfortable, though.
http://www.brocadehome.com/bh/catalog/product/product_detail.jsp?productId=bh_prod120017&link=leftnav&navAction=jump&navCount=2&categoryId=bh_cat1030
the casmidi chairs are gorgeous, and i'm thinking about using them in a future project myself.
the donghia anziano is actually pretty comfortable, and since your guests will undoubtedly be enjoying a little wine with your hospitality, they won't being feeling any discomfort at the end of the meal (i'm making this judgment based on the dog toy incident).
i also think your instincts are right in going more rad than trad. traditional chairs along with the heavy table might feel a little dowdy, and more shabby than chic. a modern chair will lighten things up and keep things eclectically cool...
best of luck in your search!
Hah! I just got the whole rad v. trad comment. My brain isn't smart enough to make the trad = traditional leap. Now that makes it clear that my selection would not be at all what you want. :)
Jules: You make a good point about slim-leg chairs vs. fat-leg tables. Sometimes those kinds of contrasts are powerful and bold and Elle Decor-y, but sometimes they're just awkward. It's a litle hard to predict the effect of six or eight chairs, I guess.
Maison, those are clever little chairs. That's a good option. And you're right... if people complain about them not being comfortable, that is just an indication that I need to pour more wine.
Jules - you're funny. :) I actually think that something curvy and more traditional in shape if done in a cool fabric is not a bad idea. You and Maison21 are leading me in the right direction. I need some kind of balance for that mean old table.
Okay Decorno, I'm back with a monkalicious suggestion for your severe table.
This chair was paired to fabulous effect with a very heavy (round) oak table in the last issue of blueprint.
The couch idea is lovely, but will it block your window? Benches are great if you don't worry about your back. I found chairs I love on overstock.com. The price was so low and the quality so high that it was one of my best purchases ever. It's a good place to look and you can always spruce them up with fabric. BTW I love your rug! You could have so much fun with pillows.
Buy new so that they are comfortable and mixing could be fun if you are not married to one style.
I always love mixing hi and low. What about the ballroom chairs painted white with a black patent seat or
a stainless steel chairs. Just to introduce a S & M vibe. I mean after all, you are decorno!
Mulled the chair thing over-honestly you strike me as
a Hans Wegner or Eames chairs.
Perhaps you could buy them on installment
or fair trade?
My thing with the sofa is that they tend to be a little lower than chairs, so you need to check the seat height to make sure those on the sofa aren't feeling like they're lower than everyone.
I like PVE's idea of the metal chairs. Sundance has some inexpensive vintage steel chairs that come in a few different finishes:
Sundance 1934 Chair
Otherwise, I think a pretty French style with a crusty finish would be elegant.
I am liking the idea of metal against that behemoth table. Are they comfortable?
Heavens - so many comments, forgive me if I'm redundant - Norman Cherner? I have vintage ones, but they do make new. Kind Jetson legs - but sleek and cool. Amanda had the stools in DWPrada.
What about something like these Svedese chairs from DWR: http://www.dwr.com/images/zoom/zm_8498_5.jpg They're on sale right now too. I'd probably switch it up and put different chairs on the ends of the table, maybe something with a higher back or with a metal frame as others have suggested.
How about trad w/ rad twist like these chairs from Plastic Fantastic:
http://www.etsy.com/view_listing.php?listing_id=5418486
How about:
Icon
http://www.dexigner.com/design_news/5042.html
Navy Chair
http://www.emeco.net/product/navychair.html
Kong
http://www.emeco.net/product/kongchair.html
Piero Lissoni Spindle Chair
http://www.bonluxat.com/a/Piero_Lissoni_Spindle_Chair.html
Have you tried Sanderson's Cameo White?
What if you just paint the exixting chairs white and add some seat cushions (no ruffley-cutsey-fussy) in those great colors of the throws on the couch? Too DIY?
I love the impact of a classic chair --with the BACKS upholstered in a modern graphic prints. Mixing the rad with the trad, if you will. One of the US decor mags recently had a great cover with this idea in a great pink/orange floral (can't remember which - I get them all.) Also love the idea of the end chairs being different- something could be re-positioned elsewhere in the house, depending on your social needs.
you guys have so many good ideas - thank you so much!
Re: comment about just painting the chair we have. These chairs are seriously falling apart. We had to glue one back together and that was the final straw for us, so I definitely need to get new ones (or vintage ones in good shape). These are Ikea chairs that my fiance has had since bachelordom. Time to go. :)
This is what I mean by Frenchy,
something like this. Obviously this is an arm chair, meant for lounging. BUt you could give a vintage dining chair a similar treatment.
These red chairs are also a great, updated "trad" look.
ALso, for paint, I'm partial to
Devine Whip, a creamy-but-not dingy white which is formulated for the light in the Northwest, and should be easy for you to find locally.
Of all of these, I think I am liking the Colette side chair from C&B the best. It has the prettiest lines, looks way comfortable, and would be perfectly happy with your big mean old table. Like a pretty, sweet-natured girlfriend for a wealthy old curmudgeon.
Ooh, that Sundance chair is perfect. Very likely uncomfortable, but so are high heels.
I like that one too. Here's DWR's version, probably equally butt-unfriendly:
http://www.dwr.com/productdetail.cfm?id=10357
this could be fun:
http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?catId=138&manId=232&listGridPref=list&prodId=202843
I love this one: http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?catId=138&listGridPref=list&prodId=192118
and I also like this one:
http://www.homeportfolio.com/catalog/Product.jhtml?catId=138&listGridPref=list&prodId=57039
I actually came across Spacify.com that has a huge variety of dining room chairs and furniture with really good prices.
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