Barry, he's not talking about the fabric....
He's talking about the paint color of the chairs and the table base, a light putty grey with a green-ish tint. It's kinda hard to tell because of the lighting in the photos, but I can see it. It's very subtle in the pics, I assume the color is more evident in real life.
It is really apparent if you look at the last photo and look at where the table base meets the table top, where the mounting bracket is the standard white.
Never seen that tone before
I must admit, I've never seen any Saarinen chair color other than the slightly off-white (which, quite honestly, looks much better than the ultra glossy white that they're now using...you can thank the Italian maker for that).
Who know? Knoll could've produced a special order color for the set, if it was part of a larger installation.
I haven't seen vintage Knoll catalogs or sales sheets that indicate if they were available in any other color other than the off-white.
With Herman Miller, on the other hand, having the three published book catalogs provides finished options.
I guess Knoll might've done them in that greenish color...for a price.
The Saarinen white develops a patina with time...
I have a set with the oval tabletop and oval cast iron base,and thankfuly the owners left it original.Much better to allow it to mellow into that off-white or cream rather than refinishing it in that dreadful refigerator white.The Teak top set is breathtaking! I think you got a steal at under 2K-what a killer example in pristine shape-not even a chip off the base!!
colors
i have 4 swivel armchairs dated 1960 in gray (darker than the platinum they are now offering). i have also seen multiple examples beige, and tables in black. i dont know if yours was a special order or not, but these other three (plus white of course were production colors at one time or another. i also think the white ones were stark when they were new, like the new ones are now. powder coatings are a form of plastic from what i understand and would be prone to yellowing with time. fantastic set in a great color!
Reply from Knoll Studio
I got a nice reply from Knoll after I asked about this color:
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Hello - interesting.... I have had one other inquiry about green Saarinen
chairs and tables.. Knoll never manufactured them in a green, light or
dark.. whomever owned these pieces must have painted them. Knoll only
offered two original colors, the white and off white (or beige)
Please note, Knoll did and still manufactures what we call specials for
customers to meet their specific needs, but I cannot guarantee that is what
occurred with these pieces.
Thank you so much for your inquiry.
Have a nice Thanksgiving
Carol
Carol S. Connell
Account Manager
KnollStudio/Knoll Space
Knoll Inc.
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