20 June 2012

Need your input

They say "Shrinks need Shrinks."  I think it's probably true to say "Decorators need Decorators," too.  At least that's true of me.  It seems so much easier to make decorating decisions for other people than for myself.  So, I need your take on my dining room issue....
I've mentioned I plan to purchase an oval tulip table for our small dining room in Rio.  The classic but contemporary lines are exactly what our place needs to balance our otherwise Trad-ish mix of furniture.
 The thing is, I cannot decide what kind of chair to pair it with.
I don't want to match tulip chairs with the table, but don't know just how much to mix it up, either.
We need the smaller table to accommodate our space, so we might be looking at two host chairs, and only two side chairs.  I have a pair of these sort of Asian-lined chairs.  I know they aren't armchairs, but I was thinking of recovering them, and using them as host chairs.  Maybe an easy-to-clean, roughed up leather a la Isaac Mizrahi's bergeres.
 Something like that might pair nicely with bentwoods, right?
 Or, is that too matchy-matchy?  Should I go totally fun and colorful with something like these...

 
Need your input, puh-leeze!

25 comments:

  1. I like option 1 with the bentwoods!

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  2. i love the look of the modern white table with all type of rustic chairs all same color,

    im the opposite i have a reclaimed dinning table with modern chairs same color

    hpoe this helps

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  3. I paired mine with faux bamboo Chinese Chippendale chairs. Almost went for the bentwood Era chairs but instead decided to go shopping in my attic ha. http://www.mattersofstyleblog.com/2012/04/what-difference-shade-makes.html

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  4. I love seeing tulip tables paired with different syle chairs. I love the Asian chair idea. I have lucite IKEA chairs with my Asian bamboo style kitchen table. I think the modern chairs would just be more of the same - like putting tulip chairs with the tulip table - modern with more modern. I prefer the mix - go for it!

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  5. Ghost chairs? or some sort of acrylic (thinking space issues, and not putting too much 'noise' ie chair legs below the table.

    Love your asian chairs and think the contrast in a worn leather would be great!

    Lets see more of your Brazilian Casa, Amiga!

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  6. Or go with the bentwood chairs but paint them a fun color. I also like the idea of the bamboo chippendale chairs. What ever you decide though, I am sure will be amazing!

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  7. Hey alison, the fun and colorful chair in the 5th picture is a perfect match with the table.
    It gives peppy and stylish look :)

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  8. I painted antique shield-back chairs in peacock blue and covered the seats in a graphic apple green and white fabric for the host chairs. Four side chairs are Ikea's lucite with chrome bases. We also have an antique Japanese Tansu chest in the room and a contemporary console table. The mix works because it was truly collected over time and the lines of the furniture, even the antiques, are fairly simple. The pops of color make it a happy mix!

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  9. I love the fun and colorful options - especially the shell chair, it would be comfy and a great mix up with your host chair picks!

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  10. I love Bentwood chairs with a tulip table. I like the bertoli ones too though. I've heard that the others (forget the name..the yellow at the bottom) aren't comfy at all. Those Asian chairs are good too! Is that any help? I scored a saarinen coffee table last week..i'll send you a pic!

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  11. i'm going to be practical patty here....i think comfort is key. so stay away from bertoia and bentwood.
    something upholstered in kid friendly material and something that won't make your butt and back ache.

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  13. I will likely be outvoted, but I strongly recommend bentwood chairs, even for the host/hostess chairs. I love the way the lines of the chairs complement the tulip table, and the shape of the table doesn't really lend itself to a different chair for the head and the foot, if you know what I mean... Just my two cents! You will make it lovely, no matter what!

    XOXOXO
    ABC

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  14. I totally agree with you about needing another decorators help! I can pick out things for other people no problem, but when it comes to my own house I cant make a decision to save my friggin life!!

    Ok so here is what I would do- use the Asian-line chairs you aready have and recover them in some hot colored ostrich vinyl/faux leather (totally kid friendly and adds texture). I'm thinking yellow for those. If you are down with painting the chairs you could do that too. I would pair those babies with the bentwood chairs and if you wanted to go crazy, you could paint the bentwood chairs the same yellow as the faux yellow ostrich from the Asian chairs OR be really nuts and paint them something totally different, maybe pull a color from your kitchen or family room.

    Bammmm done and done :)

    PS- you have to post pics of what you go with!!

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  15. I like the idea of the Bentwood chairs, but have to agree with what Jenny said - they're not the most comfortable chairs in the world! Please keep us updated on your progress!

    www.chattafabulous.blogspot.com

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  16. Hey Alison! You are going to love that table! We have the large oval in our breakfast area and it still makes my heart go pitter pat. We actually started off with a set of vintage Eames Eiffel base chairs and they just weren't comfortable for the kiddos. We've been using black bentwood chairs ever since and they have been great. I also have a pair of white Panton S chairs that I pull out for the ends as extra seating.

    I love your Oriental-ish chairs. I think they would contrast beautifully with the sleek, modern tulip base. I would reupholster them in an easy to clean faux ostrich or faux crocodile and pair them with the bentwood.

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  17. There's a picture of my chairs in this post, if you're curious.

    http://completelytotallymadly.blogspot.com/2010/05/its-app-tastic.html

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  19. Lots of advice here, but I am thinking in the general context of spanning the room and what will make sense and fit in with the rest of your furniture/artwork. If you like the leather look, go with it (like it too), and I think the last yellow chairs work if you want color ( and quick results). The Asian chairs are a no in my book- too much brown around a white table would not fit in with that cool bookshelf. But, if you are open to one more idea ;), what about a clear plastic chair? Cool and easy and let's the eye float around to your artwork/views.

    Good luck!:)

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  20. I'd choose the first one, likely because of my penchant for all-things Chinoiserie.

    Love your blog, your writing and your taste ... I'm a fellow former-lawyer-turned-blogger (I blog for a law firm) & design enthusiast. Have been following u for a few months now. Good luck with your office makeover!

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  21. Vintage chairs (possibly different styles) painted with upholstered seats.

    ...and I thought it was just me that couldn't make decision for my own rooms. THANKS for sharing.

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  22. the Bertoia chairs are a natural and expected pairing, but I kind of like wood and leather chairs! for a bit of unexpected delight.
    good luck with your decision!
    Nancy
    Powellbrowerhome.com

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  23. Do something wood. I'm dying for a tulip table someday. Love the earthiness that a wood framed traditional chair would bring.

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