I'm thinking of buying the 47" Saarinen tulip dining table in white laminate with a white base.
Is this table pretty stable? I've only seen the ones with marble tops in person and of course those are a lot heavier and harder to move.
I ask because I have a 60 lb. dog who loves to skid across our hardwood floors. I just wonder if he could knock the table over since it only has one leg. I heard the laminate version is 76 pounds so it doesn't sound totally immovable to me.
Also, is it pretty topple-proof? If a friend's kid leans on it, will it hold steady or will it risk toppling?
Also, do you think the 47" diameter could seat 6 people? I've only seen the 54" in person and that's to big for our space.
Thanks for any advice or opinions.
Seating capacity
A 47-inch diameter gives you roughly 148 inches around the edge. For six diners, that's about 24 inches from elbow to elbow. Might be tight for adults. And your candelabra, serving pieces, and so on would be confined to a circle about two feet wide in the center.
Just for the heck of it, tie up the dog and draw a 47-inch circle on the floor or other flat surface. Set up a typical (at your house) service for six and see whether you'd have enough room.
Good luck, in any case.
All depends
Are you considering buying a new table or vintage? Most vintage tulip tables have bases that are much heavier and more substantial than the current production. I could go on and give my usual spiel about why buying vintage is better, but I think you can refer to Lunchbox's answer #1000
I don't think it's likely that a kid or a dog would tip over a Saarinen table, though I suppose anything is possible if you try. I've never seen one tip, I've only seen them damaged from moving them carelessly.
While perfectly suited for 4 people, I've squeezed 5 or 6 people around a 47" table, but you need smallish side chairs.
Hi guys,
Thanks for the...
Hi guys,
Thanks for the responses.
Peg, I wouldn't mind buying vintage at all and would prefer it. I've been looking on eBay for a few weeks but I haven't seen a 47" come up in white laminate. With the Knoll sale going on right now, I might just take the plunge and buy new.
I suck so bad at visualizing anything that even if I tape out the measurements and imaginary chairs, I'd be clueless. An architect friend told me that I could get away with 6 chairs as long as each chair was 18" or less at the base. But I wonder once everyone seats themselves at the table if they'd be bumping elbows.
Your architect friend is smart.
The 18" limit for chair width assumes that the front edge of your diners' chairs will be pushed 6" past the edge of the table. 18"-wide chairs will form a 35" diameter circle (well, hexagon).
If you can't visualize imaginary chairs around an imaginary table, arrange 6 18"-wide chairs in a circle with their front corners touching, then sit and see whether they're comfortable.
stable as the people sitting at it 😉
I have the 50th anniversary white base with arabescato marble top. I had been wanting a vintage piece but the price of this one was so appealing I jumped right on it. As far as stability goes, it is very heavy and a brute to move and I doubt that it woud ever completely tip easily but I have had a guest or two, lift themselves to their feet leaning their weight on the table and set a few ( empty, thankfully) wine glasses rolling off the edge. I also observed that this was easier to do when I woud use a plush bidjar carpet under it in the winter months.
Seating was most comfortable and generous with four but as mentioned by several others, a squeeze with 6 and because of this, the table eventually got relegated to my office where it is now used as my desk and I can spew papers and magazine to my hearts content. Love, love this table vintage or otherwise.
How is your Saarinen table working out?
Hi,
I've just stumbled across this thread as I'm thinking of buying exactly this table. But have to small children that spend all their free time at the dining room table, drawing, building Lego etc...
I'm worried about toppling or tipping it.
What is your experience and would you recommend it?
Thanks,
Juju
The tulip is still weighty...
The tulip is still weighty with a timber top so there is no issue there.
I have a vintage Florence Knoll with Calacutta top that the kids do their homework on and it's seriously heavy.
I find the Knoll a bit more of a classy look but both are very nice so I would search for both and see what better deal comes on which table first.
I have this exact...
I have this exact table...the vintage version, not a reissue. I don't see the possibility of it tipping. It's pretty heavy. It's been as sturdy as other tables I have owned. I even fell off a stool changing the light bulb over the table and hit the table, knocked over a chair, and a small shelf on the way down. The table didn't budge an inch so plenty sturdy. The table did nearly knock me out on the way down so it's pretty tough. I am no longer allowed to change bulbs in the ceiling. My brother comes over to do it for me LOL
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