Just picked up my first Tulip stuff this weekend. Got a 36" marble-topped table and four chairs. Table is in good shape with the usual fading and a few scratches to the base. Interestingly, it is cast iron, as I understand the early ones were.
The top needs a good polishing, but is otherwise nice. I was surprised to find that the top just sits on the base with a couple of pegs on the base that stick into the top.
Chairs are also faded, and I know I'm pretty much stuck there. The disgustingly filthy blue wool hopsack cushions have received my usual sime green + power washing at the self serve car wash, and came out great.
I know that early models don't necessarily bring a premium, but can this be dated by the labels? Also, any general tips on maintenance or cleaning are welcome. Thanks.
ZooMob,
Congratulations on the table and chairs. Your marble top table is at the "top of the game" in the "small dining table" category. I appreciate your example.
"I" would locate a professional in my area to clean and polish the table top. "I" would gently clean the remainder (table base and chairs) with non-solvent based products (tested in a discrete area).
Should you be near a Knoll showroom you may inquire who they use for maintenance and repair of their collection. Accidents do happen and Knoll does use outside vendors in their respective geographical region to correct problems (both their own and major clients).
This is all good.
A little progress and a tip on wool hopsack cleaning; see my before/after below. I've had great luck with Eames aluminum group hopsack chairs in the past, and my technique seems to have worked well here too. Pretty simple; soak the hell out of the cushion/chair with simple green, let it soak in for a while (like long enough to drive to do-it-yourself car wash) and then pressure wash the sh@t out of them.
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