Collection by Aileen Kwun

Modern Uses of the Saarinen Tulip Chair and Table

Eero Saarinen's Tulip chairs and table—part of the Pedestal Collection, first launched by Knoll in 1958—remains among the Finnish-American designer's best-known works to this day. See how these modern homes make use of the timeless design and its small, space-efficient "stem" base.

Eero Saarinen’s legendary Miller House is not your average home, this modern gem was generously donated to the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2011. The dining room centers around a custom Saarinen-designed marble-and-terrazzo table ringed by Tulip chairs. Overhead is a Venini chandelier. Photo by: Leslie Williamson
Eero Saarinen’s legendary Miller House is not your average home, this modern gem was generously donated to the Indianapolis Museum of Art in 2011. The dining room centers around a custom Saarinen-designed marble-and-terrazzo table ringed by Tulip chairs. Overhead is a Venini chandelier. Photo by: Leslie Williamson
A Saarinen dining table and Tulip chairs for Knoll sit in the front of the living/dining room, with a wide view to the prairie on the other side of the house.
A Saarinen dining table and Tulip chairs for Knoll sit in the front of the living/dining room, with a wide view to the prairie on the other side of the house.
The front parlor is a visitor’s first hint of the mix of furniture Tina Seidenfaden Busck has assembled for her showroom the Apartment. A pouffe from Azucena is matched with an array of vintage pieces: a Beni Ourain rug from Morocco, a mirrored chest of drawers from France, and a Finn Juhl Poet sofa. The next room houses a vintage Tulip table and chairs by Eero Saarinen and a Tube Chandelier by Michael Anastassiades. Photos courtesy the Apartment.
The front parlor is a visitor’s first hint of the mix of furniture Tina Seidenfaden Busck has assembled for her showroom the Apartment. A pouffe from Azucena is matched with an array of vintage pieces: a Beni Ourain rug from Morocco, a mirrored chest of drawers from France, and a Finn Juhl Poet sofa. The next room houses a vintage Tulip table and chairs by Eero Saarinen and a Tube Chandelier by Michael Anastassiades. Photos courtesy the Apartment.
At his Tribeca loft, artist Will Cotton displays his large 2012 plaster cake sculpture, Against Nature, in the street-facing window. Two Chandigarh chairs by Le Corbusier, a Tulip table by Eero Saarinen, and a series of wire chairs by Harry Bertoia furnish the space.
At his Tribeca loft, artist Will Cotton displays his large 2012 plaster cake sculpture, Against Nature, in the street-facing window. Two Chandigarh chairs by Le Corbusier, a Tulip table by Eero Saarinen, and a series of wire chairs by Harry Bertoia furnish the space.
The inner dimple, not far from the front door, separates the entrance from the living space.
The inner dimple, not far from the front door, separates the entrance from the living space.
Lucy chairs from Bend and an Eero Saarinen Tulip base outfitted with a custom top offer places to eat and sit in the kitchen. Porcelain tile lines the floor.
Lucy chairs from Bend and an Eero Saarinen Tulip base outfitted with a custom top offer places to eat and sit in the kitchen. Porcelain tile lines the floor.
"The ground level renovation took months," says Kroloff. "It's a historic property, so we couldn't knock down walls." A full ceiling of light was installed, thanks to a donation from Arkitektura. "When we were tallying what needed to be done to the project, we actually didn't consider the lighting. Lynda donated her services, or we wouldn't have been able to do it all."
"The ground level renovation took months," says Kroloff. "It's a historic property, so we couldn't knock down walls." A full ceiling of light was installed, thanks to a donation from Arkitektura. "When we were tallying what needed to be done to the project, we actually didn't consider the lighting. Lynda donated her services, or we wouldn't have been able to do it all."