One Chair, 10 Homes: The Space-Agey Tulip Chair
This retro design defies a fixed style and can be futuristic, minimalist and even organic, making it a much-loved and much-used piece
Often identified as Scandinavian in style, the Tulip chair was in fact designed by Finnish-born American architect Eero Saarinen for US furniture company Knoll. Saarinen was good friends and collaborated on an earlier chair with America’s midcentury modern furniture icon Charles Eames, for a 1940 furniture design competition called Organic Design in Home Furnishings.
Saarinen, whose style has been described as ‘neofuturistic’, aimed to simplify the four-legged clutter of chairs with the pedestal design of the Tulip chair, which became the inspiration for a knock-off design used in the original Star Trek TV series!
Saarinen, whose style has been described as ‘neofuturistic’, aimed to simplify the four-legged clutter of chairs with the pedestal design of the Tulip chair, which became the inspiration for a knock-off design used in the original Star Trek TV series!
Mix-and-match in London
In this boho-eclectic town house dining room, the space-agey Tulip chair is paired with another midcentury modern icon, the Platner chair, juxtaposed with wooden Arts and Crafts-style chairs, for a fusion/transitional look.
In this boho-eclectic town house dining room, the space-agey Tulip chair is paired with another midcentury modern icon, the Platner chair, juxtaposed with wooden Arts and Crafts-style chairs, for a fusion/transitional look.
Organic and elemental in Perth
Made with moulded fibreglass, the Tulip chair is also ideal for outdoor use, as this al fresco dining space in Perth, Australia shows.
Made with moulded fibreglass, the Tulip chair is also ideal for outdoor use, as this al fresco dining space in Perth, Australia shows.
Scandi-eclectic in Monchengladbach, Germany
A regular Tulip side chair is combined with an armchair version, a Panton chair and a classic Scandinavian spindle-legged chair in this open-plan space that’s stylishly sophisticated yet cosy at the same time.
A regular Tulip side chair is combined with an armchair version, a Panton chair and a classic Scandinavian spindle-legged chair in this open-plan space that’s stylishly sophisticated yet cosy at the same time.
Pop of colour in Versailles, France
The Tulip’s red seat cushion adds a jolt of vivid colour to the bright, white and wood space in this Versailles apartment. The chair’s swivel base makes it ideal as a study/office chair too, as this little work nook shows.
The Tulip’s red seat cushion adds a jolt of vivid colour to the bright, white and wood space in this Versailles apartment. The chair’s swivel base makes it ideal as a study/office chair too, as this little work nook shows.
Small space living in Moscow
Paired with the Tulip table – another midcentury modern classic – the Tulip chairs work very well in compact spaces such as this Russian apartment. In fact, the design is Saarinen’s answer to the “slum of legs” often seen under tables and chairs.
Their organic form adds visual interest, while their glossy white finish helps to keep a small space looking bright and open.
Paired with the Tulip table – another midcentury modern classic – the Tulip chairs work very well in compact spaces such as this Russian apartment. In fact, the design is Saarinen’s answer to the “slum of legs” often seen under tables and chairs.
Their organic form adds visual interest, while their glossy white finish helps to keep a small space looking bright and open.
Studio-ready in Barcelona
Another example of the Tulip’s versatility in small spaces, this Spanish studio is compact and budget-friendly with that little designer touch, thanks to the Tulip chair.
Another example of the Tulip’s versatility in small spaces, this Spanish studio is compact and budget-friendly with that little designer touch, thanks to the Tulip chair.
Arty in Brescia, Italy
A Tulip armchair heads the metal-clad table in this avant garde dining room filled with designer furniture and objets d’art.
A Tulip armchair heads the metal-clad table in this avant garde dining room filled with designer furniture and objets d’art.
Old meets new in Wanaka, New Zealand
Although it was designed in 1956, the Tulip chair and table still retains its organic, futuristic look so well that even in this Tudor house filled with vintage things, it looks new and fresh.
Although it was designed in 1956, the Tulip chair and table still retains its organic, futuristic look so well that even in this Tudor house filled with vintage things, it looks new and fresh.
Outdoor Zen in Singapore
East meets west in this shophouse’s little courtyard where a pair of Tulip chairs and a small Tulip side table are used for a cosy tea setting.
TELL US
If you were to buy a Tulip chair, where in your home would you place it? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love to see photos!
MORE
Houzz Quiz: Which Mid-Century Modern Chair are You?
East meets west in this shophouse’s little courtyard where a pair of Tulip chairs and a small Tulip side table are used for a cosy tea setting.
TELL US
If you were to buy a Tulip chair, where in your home would you place it? Tell us in the Comments below. If you own one, we’d love to see photos!
MORE
Houzz Quiz: Which Mid-Century Modern Chair are You?
The chair’s shiny white fibreglass form melds well with bright turquoise and pink in this teenage girl’s study corner. The seat cushion is easily customisable to match any colour scheme.