Vintage Friday - Saarinen Tulip Table

I enjoyed my earlier post of Tolix so much it inspired me to create a regular feature on my blog called 'Vintage Friday'. Granted, many of these iconic designs are still in production so you can still buy them new, however, you can easily source an original classic. There are often certain pieces you really love, an Eames lounger or a tulip table, and the pursuit to find an original can be a years long pursuit. In my opinion, that just ensures that you really want it, and it gives you a sense of pride and joy when you finally find it. And of course, vintage is always eco. So, every Friday, pop by to see what new iconic design I've featured, and enjoy the pursuit to find one of your own that you love.

So, for my first official Vintage Friday, I've chosen the Tulip table, which is really enjoying a revival right now; you can find one in virtually every issue of Living Etc., for instance. I remember my grandmother had one for the longest time - if I only knew where it went!

The Tulip is flexible: mix and match with chairs, go rustic or contemporary. It also comes in varying tops, from marble to wood.

A little history: design by Eero Saarinen in 1950's midwest America. Saarinen emmigrated to America in 1923 at the age of 14. While studying art, he became friends with design icon Charles Eames and Florence Knoll, who would go on to produce the Tulip through her firm, Knoll Associates. Post-war industrial advances such as moulded plastic allowed Saarinen to create the flowing, organic lines of the Tulip table and chair. Otherworldly in the 60's, it later picked up many design awards and became one of the world's most coveted designs.

It comes in many different sizes, from eight person to small side tables.

Pair it with other classics, such as these Eames chairs.