Dining chair dilemma

12 years ago

I have a dining chair dilemma and I know you can help!

I have a vintage home, around 100 years old in Bloor West village, and I'm looking to seamlessly meld the beautiful vintage character of the home with my my modern/mid century modern style.

Right now, in my dining room, I have four Eames Molded Plastic Eiffel Chairs set up around my walnut dining table (see attached photo). My dilemma is trying to find to head chairs to flank the ends of the table. I want them to be different to create interest, but I really can't decide! I need some professional help!

I've been looking at a few options:

The black wishbone chair - http://www.dwr.com/product/wishbone-chair-lacquer-colors.do?sortby=ourPicks
The Saarinen Executive Side Chair with wood legs - http://www.dwr.com/product/saarinen-executive-chair-wood-volo-leather.do?sortby=ourPicks
The Eames® Molded Plastic Dowel-Leg Armchair with wood legs in a different colour - http://www.dwr.com/product/eames-molded-plastic-dowel-leg-armchair-daw.do?sortby=ourPicks

That being said, I'm completely open to anything...I just don't know what would look great.

Help!

Featured Answer

PRO

Marc Russell Interiors

12 years ago

Something upholstered to soften up the table. Lot's of hard surfaces going on. I would go slightly higher than the side chairs. Something period recovered can be fun Good luck!

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Comments (25)

dclostboy
12 years ago
I would like something high backed, but can you orient your table the other way so as not to disrupt view? I have a set of the wegner wishbones (incredibly comfortable), but don't think they work in this application.
pi1ar thanked dclostboy
dclostboy
12 years ago
Something like this from Hickory?
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pi1ar
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you! The chair is lovely, but not really my style. I'm looking for more of a mid-century modern look, but thank you for your input! All is appreciated!
dclostboy
12 years ago
Then go with Adrian Pearsall...ultimate MCM
dclostboy
12 years ago
It adds some drama and defines the head of the table.
pi1ar thanked dclostboy
pi1ar
Original Author
12 years ago
I'm not sure I'm liking the high-back. I don't know if it would look good in the space.
Becca Rak
12 years ago
why dont you mix and match them. get some chairs from thrift stores/kijiji. paint them, reupholster them and get 2 nice chairs for the head of the table. or get 1 bench and leave your chairs
Nancy Travisinteriors
12 years ago
You can find those same chairs above at Ikea a lot cheaper. But not really feeling it. Need a statement end chairs. A leather, in black or a color like red or teal. Pier one carries. Google for other looks.
Mark
12 years ago
Something like this
sophiajay
12 years ago
I also would have thought of something with a high back in the same materials as the others ideally as if I wanted them to be different to the other chairs then the height contrast would emphasise that perfectly. however if you really do not want high back then I would chose option 2 i think that the contrast in materials and colour work really well too
indianpatti
12 years ago
I like the shape of the chair Mark posted above ... found these on Overstock ..set of 2 for $189
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Ayers-Wire-Base-Arm-Chairs-Set-of-2/4027228/product.html?refccid=NLHX2FBJDXVLZ4CP327YXSHSYI&searchidx=1
pi1ar thanked indianpatti
groveraxle
12 years ago
If you don't want to make a statement with a high-back chair, then I would do the Eames armchair in a different color.
pi1ar thanked groveraxle
Darzy
12 years ago
A statement..
Vitra New Panton Chair | Design Public · More Info
pi1ar thanked Darzy
groveraxle
12 years ago
I'd consider a real statement chair like one of these from Wild Chairy: http://www.wildchairy.com/#a=0&at=0&mi=2&pt=1&pi=10000&s=0&p=0
decorideas523
12 years ago
I love the look of a more modern chair with this type table. I had the same dilemma and was looking at the Tolix chair - sundance catalog carries them. I believe PB also has some as well. I think they are so cool, however, I chickened out and bought some really nice classic wood chairs. I got afraid that they would not be practical or comfortable for my large family. Happy hunting!
pi1ar thanked decorideas523
dallasgraduate
12 years ago
I would vote for an eames wire chair (maybe with a bikini), an upholstered variation of the shell chair, any color eames shell arm chair or Philippe Starck's Masters Chair.
Lynnie
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
Just put yr email & passwood on this, and you will see what Idea I am picturing. https://www.jossandmain.com/Heart-of-the-Home~E7793.html

And these would look fantastic: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Portfolio-Duet-Emma-Paisley-Upholstered-Armless-Chairs-Set-of-2/5643366/product.html?refccid=3DUZK7HYQKQLXOKKBDUFXXODQQ&searchidx=9

Or this: http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Daphne-Beige-Linen-Dining-Chair/6655243/product.html?refccid=3DUZK7HYQKQLXOKKBDUFXXODQQ&searchidx=19

http://www.bizchair.com/parsonschairs.html

I would have each 2 chairs different, including styles and shapes. Then put 2 of the chairs you have in another area of the house.
pi1ar thanked Lynnie
pi1ar
Original Author
12 years ago
Thank you everyone for all your brilliant suggestions!!
PRO
User
12 years ago
Here are a couple of options:
http://www.westelm.com/m/products/splat-dining-chair-vermillion-h402/?pkey=cdining-chairs

http://m.crateandbarrel.com/marlow-ii-white-side-chair/f49727

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/m/product/detail.do?productGroup=24870&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=197&menuSubcategory=149

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/m/product/detail.do?productGroup=6400&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=197&menuSubcategory=149

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/m/product/detail.do?articleNumber=095172&an=0_095172&qa=0_THATCH_ARM_CHAIR_WOOD|002&productGroup=20256&menuSubcategory=149&menuCategory=197&menuCatalog=ROOM

My favorites are the last two.
pi1ar thanked User
PRO
In Style Modern
12 years ago
Hi pi1ar, we also sell the same chairs that you are looking at so you might want to check out instylemodern.com
pi1ar thanked In Style Modern
PRO
Siegler Design Services + INTERIORS
12 years ago
last modified: 12 years ago
To my modern mind, comes one chair as ICONIC as what you have that is a forever chair and investment worthy....go to eBay and bid on a pair of BRNO flat bar chairs by KNOLL. They are expensive new but, highly collectible and over the next year you could probably find a pair for approximately 1,200.00. They do hold their value. I would recover them in a "natural" brown leather though not sure until I could see more of your things. They are comfortable, heavy, durable, beautiful and in a pinch can be extra living room seating though too, heavy to easily move around.
pi1ar thanked Siegler Design Services + INTERIORS
PRO
Siegler Design Services + INTERIORS
12 years ago
if you like my idea and want to try for BRNO chairs I will help you "score" chairs and coach you on price if you require that service. See my project Ashbrook Residence where we purchased and bid on about 5+ major collectible furniture items on eBay. It was fun and very rewarding. Client so happy to this day. He has things he loves, others enjoy his home too and items not junk but, true "collectibles" similar to your situation. He does have "care and trustee" responsibility for older items but, it is worth it to him.
PRO
ExclusiveMod Furniture
12 years ago
Wishbone chairs would be a good choice I think.
Amy McCallum
12 years ago
What did you end up choosing? Same chairs but as armchairs or arm chairs in different color. Similar dilemma myself now.