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.
Clay Farrow says
Hi Pam,
Your chairs are terrific, but they’re probably NOT Burke, because of that unique “delta” shape towards the bottom of the back. They were most likely made by Metalcraft Products Co. of Lynwood CA.
I’ve got a set of 4 of these same chairs that I’m in the middle of restoring, and mine still have a manufacturer’s label affixed to each of them.
Great job on your restoration!
pam kueber says
Thanks, Clay, for that info!
ANGIE says
I HAVE THESE SAME CHAIRS(ARM CHAIRS), 6 OF THEM & A 60″ MATCHING TULIP TABLE & THEY HAVE THE LINES IN THE ARCH OF THE BACK OF IT TOO & I AM TRYING TO DESPARATELY FIND OUT WHAT BRAND/MAKE THESE ARE & THEIR WORTH…IF YOU COULD KINDLY HELP ME OUT I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT!!!
Linda MacKenzie says
Hello, this is awesome. I have the same set 6 chairs and one table. Also have the cushions but they are worn and brown. Painted the chairs a light green and put them on my patio (table is out of the weather). Would love to sell them as I find them very uncomfortable. Any offers. I am in Alberta, Canada
pam kueber says
Linda, probably it’s best for you to try and sell these locally — on craigslist or in canada, kiiji. good luck.
Mr. Modtomic says
I hate to be the dissenter here and I hope this doesn’t get sent to the “round file” but I think your “new” set was much nicer. Inspired by your knock off set, I bought a set of three tables and ten chairs like the vintage set you now have but was never happy with the lack of sophistication concerning the base, swivel and mounting of the seat. I don’t think the sets are the same but the chairs I had (still have one) had exposed mounting hardware. The “swivel” is just a plastic sleeve. There isn’t much mass to the base which made my chairs feel a little cheap. I didn’t have armchair seats but the bases (below the swivel) seem to be the same. Before I really examined my finds I was going to restore one set for myself and sell the rest to pay for the effort. I ended up selling all of them except the one chair that I did strip, repaint and recover the seat of. I’m going to use it with my sewing machine. The new vintage set looks fine, but I liked the “old” set more. I’d have squirted a little Loctite on the offending screw and been done with it.
Of course, I’m totally torn here because…well, you saved a vintage set! Hooray! I was always under the impression that your first set was the real deal, too!
So whatchya gonna do with the Saarinen knock off chairs? I’ve got a Noguchi Cyclone Table knock off they’d look great with!
pam kueber says
No plastic sleeve on mine as far as I know. Chairs more “lightweight” than knockoffs – but I think that’s deceptive, i think they are quite strong. Hey, I think there’s a lot of room for preferences in this discussion…
Nancy says
Pam- I love your new set!! It looks great in your kitchen. I was sorry to read that you passed (and then had regrets) on the little table w/ the glass top but you really scored here! CONGRATULATIONS & I look forward to seeing the process of getting them to this beautiful state.
I’m still searching for me a set-
pam kueber says
Thanks, Nancy. Yes, I know you are looking — and I will do a post about where to look, prices, etc. Also, yes: I think this WAS a better score than the Pearsall table! Yay!
Rebecca Prichard says
Looking forward to gearing about the clean-up, although it’s tiring thinking about cleaning them up!
52PostnBeam says
They are fantastic. Having the slightly lower and less upright back, and the arms on the chairs, gives them a more “relaxed” and inviting character. Also the slight difference in the shape of the base looks better / more high style. Devil is in the details!
Annie B. says
Congratulations on the find, Pam. I’m very interested in how you repainted the set. Can’t wait to see the finished project.
Will you be using red chair pads again? Red is such a fabulous accent color for all that wonderful aqua.
Your kitchen has inspired me to do a “flipside” of your color palette in my own: stark white walls and kitchen cabinets with aqua as the major accent ; yellow and orange as the minor accents. Anythng would have to be better than the dreary dark brown panelling which makes the kitchen look cave-like.
pam kueber says
the top photo shown today is the Finished set. the leather is a rich, darker-rather-than-lighter cherry red.
Mary says
Your chairs look just like mine. They have the same kind of angled lines on the back. What is Burke and what makes you think that’s what you have?
Guy H. says
I love those chairs! They look soooo comfortable! I can’t wait for the next update.