I have replaced the faux-Saarinen tulip table and chairs that I originally bought for my kitchen from Crate & Barrel and eBay, respectively, with a true vintage set that I found in a nearby thrift shop and which I believe may be vintage Burke. It’s a bit of a story… and includes my swivel problems with knockoff tulip chairs purchased a while back on eBay… so continue reading for the 411.
When I originally finished my kitchen renovation in 2007, my consciousness had been alerted that what the space needed was a Saarinen style tulip table and chairs set to complete the look. With all the aquamarine in my kitchen, I wanted contrast in my dinette. The sleek white of the classic Saarinen tables and chairs not only would provide the clean visual contrast, it would match perfectly with the “appliance white” of my vintage GE stove, vintage Kohler porcelain sink, and new-yet-classic Sub-Zero side-by-side refrigerator. At the same time, I knew that the organic rounded lines of the Saarinen style would provide visual graphic relief from the boxy sea of cabinets.
When it came time to looking for my Saarinen dinette, I would certainly have loved an authentic reproduction still manufactured by Knoll. True beauteousness – yes yes yes. But, the $6,000+ price tag for the complete five-piece table and chairs set wasn’t practical. What I really wanted was vintage. So, I poked around on ebay, craigslist and local stores for the few months. My searching was kind of unenthusiastic, though. Becase, by the time I got to looking for the dinette set, I was exhausted by all the kitchen renovation work, and I JUST WANTED IT TO BE OVER. That included (1) just wanting a dinette in there already and (2) not wanting to have to deal with a beat-up vintage set that would become “another project.”
Reflecting this reality, what I went for, was a set of knock-off Saarinen tulip chairs from ebay (shown in the photo above), which cost about $125 each. I paired them with a $150 tulip style table from Crate and Barrel. Fast forward about four years, and (1) the chairs from ebay were not holding up to our abuse and (2) I was ready, anyway, for a vintage dinette project if one presented itself.
Re (1) We used the dinette chairs pretty heavily, and on two of the chairs in particular, the screws that held the base to the swivel ultimately began loosening and had to be up-ended regularly to re-tighten the mechanism. Perhaps there was a good go-to-the-hardware-store solution, but we did not try that. I tend to believe there must be a relatively easy fix — this was a purely mechanical issue. I do not have the paperwork on brand of chairs I purchased from ebay — I think there are a couple of folks who sells that have this appearance today. So I can’t judge quality of one vs. the other or again, whether there was an effective longterm fix. Note: The plastic or whatever it was that the chairs were made of — was holding up just fine.
The Crate and Barrel table – it’s just fine. In fact, I think it is a good value for the money. We’ll keep that table and use it somewhere for crafts or a friend in need.
Re (2) Fast forward to this past summer, when I was re-energized to tackle a bunch of annoying house projects that have been languishing on my to-do list. This included watching for a replacement for that dinette set, especially since I’d kind of always wanted vintage. So, in conjunction with all the other projects on my list, I started keeping my eye out for a vintage set — even if it needed some TLC. 
Sure enough, I was making a swing through some of my favorite vintage and thrift shops and stopped at my friend Ron’s Berkshire Used Furniture in Pittsfield. There – new to him – was a sad, beat-up looking 42” tulip table (the size I needed) and four matching chairs. He had found them on a local woman’s porch kind of buried under other stuff. I inquired as to price. He gave me a good deal. And I became the proud owner of what I believe is a vintage Burke tulip table and chairs. Above: The dinette in its “before” state.
Now, all I needed to do was to get them cleaned up – they were a mess.
monogirl says
It’s always great to finally find that fabulous thing you’ve been on the look out for. Sometimes patience does pay off. I can’t wait to see the finished product!
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
I just saw a set like this at a local thrift store and thought…how fun! If only they fit into our house I would have grabbed them. They look great!
Nancy says
Heather- I have been looking for a set like this forever! Where do you live that you saw a set? Shipping is such an issue.
Thanks, Nancy
Heather @ REOlisticRenovation says
California where are you? It was at a local thrift store about two weeks ago…I can give you more details if you want them. 🙂
Nancy says
Oh man! That is always the problem! I am in the wrong part of the country! I live in Maryland! They are just so heavy/bulky that shipping usually doubles the cost. But, while I’m at it- how much was the set, if you don’t mind me asking?
Thanks!
Kate says
Pam I think we have the same chairs! Mine were quite the project too! I bought 4 of them for $150 on ebay about 4 years ago (and they were within a distance that I could pick them up) but they had two layers of yellow spray paint on them. It took me a year to strip all the paint off (down to the original fiberglass) and repaint the bottoms! I combined them with a burke oblong top tulip table and two other armless knock off tulip chairs for my dining room set. (I am posting my dining room on my blog at the end of this week retroranchrevamp.com so you can check it out!) Do you have any issues with the swivel on your set? One of mine might need to be tightened but otherwise they are great!
pam kueber says
I’ll keep an eye on your blog, Kate. No, no issues with the swivel – knock on wood (or fiberglass) – yet. No paint on my chair shells, fortunately! Watch for my fixit story tomorrow! Hey, I even DIY’d something – for once!
Kate says
Just posted on my blog about my tulip table and chairs (as well as my living/dining room) I linked to your post about restoring your set as well. We had similar methods!
http://retroranchrevamp.com/2011/01/30/believe-in-your-shelf/
Rhan Vintage says
To die for! This is my dream dining set. I could not possibly love it more. Congrats! It looks fantastic in your space.
pam kueber says
Thank you, Rhan!
Dana @ Cooking At Cafe D says
You probably don’t want to hear that about 10 years ago I put a perfectly good vintage tulip dinning room table (oblong) and 4 chairs out on the side of the curb.
They were my Mom’s. And I had grown up with modern – and hated it – for years. And, I just didn’t see any value in them.
Now, oh, how I wish I would have held off and found someone who treasured that era. I’ll just hope that however has them, loves them.
Now? I have a small vintage store where I try to pass along treasures to other people – so this NEVER happens again !
Glad you found your “new” chairs for your kitchen!
TroySF says
FAB! They look great in your kitchen, and Astro seems to like them!
@DigsRetro says
Love, love, love your choice of kitchen table and chairs but what I most can’t get over are your cabinets!! The color is amazing! Are they vintage metal that you repainted? Could I bother you for the exact paint color? My 80s cabinets need upgrading but all I can afford right now is paint and would LOVE for them to be that color!!
Thanks in advance,
Karin
pam kueber says
Hi Karin, see my page in the upper right of the navigation — Have a cup of coffee in Pam’s kitchen — for more photos and the links to the entire story. They are original finish. But, you can replicate it from Sherwin-Williams Suburban Modern palette – aquamarine. See my Paint section — navigate to Find PRODUCTS / Retro Accents / Paint.
Janice says
I have that exact same color on my walls in my kitchen (white cabinets) – discovered after reading and re-reading the story about Pam’s kitchen. It’s a beautiful, happy color!
@DigsRetro says
Thanks Pam, I should have looked closer to find the answer, I didn’t realize it was right there in front of me, I was so mesmerized by your cabinets I could barely look away to post the comment! 🙂
pam kueber says
np, DigsRetro — Your comment made me think I could improve the Pams Kitchen page with a link to the Suburban Modern color palette….Good luck!
tsteinke says
AMAZING ENVY!!
Tina says
Looks great! Several years ago I was given an original Knoll tulip set by my aunt, who bought it probably in the late 50s. It came with a second set of seat cushion covers, but even they were kind of brittle from being in storage and they haven’t lasted long. The cushions themselves are in terrible shape now.
Any idea on a source for cushions that don’t cost as much as an entire chair would (of any other style or brand)?
MbS says
Tina, perhaps this summer we make cushions of foam and a good fabric….
Linda Blackmore says
Great find. I was watching reruns of Everybody Loves Raymond this weekend, and a very early episode came on. In Marie and Frank’s kitchen was a beautiful set much like the one you found. That’s the only time I remember seeing it on there. They must have redecorated the set after a few episodes. Isn’t it funny how we watch for MCM on the TV.
pam kueber says
TV is FULL of MCM – modern & modest, both! Both kitchens on Everybody Loves Raymond are very retro, as I recall.