DH “in love” and “buying” table I’m unconvinced on

[Calmondeck]

Hello mumsnetters,

My DH and I have just moved into a new apartment & and we’re starting from scratch with furniture. He has fallen for a circular dining table - walnut with silver legs - that just seems very dark for a small apartment. Grateful for your thoughts on this table and how it would look in this room...

sorry it looks like our refectory tables at work.

I like it but it is dark. The only thing is a am a fill believer in choosing together. You cant expect dh to go for all of your choices. Maybe let him have this. Soften the look with chairs and plant.

@Bluegrass and @Calmondeck - I think Bluegrass's suggestion of a Saarinen is apposite - I have one which is Saarinen inspired but not by them - by a reasonably well known furniture designer - but the central leg is more along the tulip lines. It works practically - so mine is like this this but smaller - still seats 8 comfortably but the point is the tulip base works very practically - I think it is elegant but of course everyone has their own opinion - anyway just to say - tulip base works well julianchichester.com/product/dakota-table-2/

Also it's hideous. - that made me laugh. It is of course.

Really? He's 'in love' with a table? He needs to get out more.

I’m totally on board with people falling in love with furniture!

Agree with others, it looks office and like the legs don't match the top. I like the top and think it would go nicely in your apartment.

Food you have a different kind of table in mind? Would you get to choose the chairs if he keeps this table or one like it?

My DH has very fixed ideas about what he likes, to the point he didn't really see if something is aesthetically pleasing or not. I'd say this table is quite masculine looking. Maybe your dp is set on a walnut top but doesn't see how bad it looks with the silver legs...?

It does look like the kind of up cycled thing sold on ebay or Facebook marketplace so bear that in mind if it is very expensive.

Maybe some fabric chairs would look good with it. I think it's ok actually. Might as well let him if he's in love with it. Then you'll get your way on other things

I think something like these would soften it.

www.made.com/lule-set-of-2-dining-chairs-aegean-blue-walnut-leg

www.cultfurniture.com/furniture-c10/chairs-c3/heather-dining-chair-velvet-upholstered-teal-p12218

www.danetti.com/products/bay-velvet-and-brushed-steel-chair-blue-grey

I also think that, if you're keen, to pair it with some statement-y chairs. I like the thought of Philippe Starck as a pp has suggested. I think matchy-matchy would be more difficult to pull off.

Your flat is gorgeous.

I’d look at classic mid-century chair shapes. Something like the style of Wegner’s CH20 elbow chair which has simple lines and the curve of the back support echoes the curve of the table.

I love it

www.italyclassics.com/en/costes-chair-black?gclid=CjwKCAiA_eb-BRB2EiwAGBnXXiO_P_4XkArUP4a9TOQRn9L4VnuEG0C1EZBttbJ0zTG6ZELsbcFwGBoCevkQAvD_BwE

I don’t like it. It just looks too modern and cheap for such a lovely, classily decorated/fitted apartment. But I do love a round dining table, you can fit so many more people round them.

Thank you so much for your thoughtful (and some laugh inducing) comments. I’m on bed rest because of pregnancy complications and DH is currently taking the plunge and out purchasing it. I understand it’s a vintage Florence Knoll table (though I have no interior design knowledge so have no clue who Florence is). Will share an updated picture of what it ends up looking like! This was definitely not intended as a boast - this is a rented flat and you can see the sum total of our possessions right now (the yoga mat and Afghan rug doubling as our dining table, chairs, office).

Florence Knoll? That'll be ££££ but gorgeous and it won't lose its value. I look forward to seeing it.

Is your flat next door to Tate Britain? Views out of the windows look wonderful

Slight lol at the “looking cheap” comment earlier. 1st Dibs (who always price high admittedly) are asking about £2,500 for one!

We’re in Switzerland and this was a rush sale of a family leaving. So we got the table for half the price the family were asking for - £800. Haha good to know it’s so valuable though! DH is devastated in the light of day the table is too dark, and the legs too bulky. He’s decided to retire from his short lived amateur interior decorating career, that is, until he finds a buyer to take this table away. Anyway what to pop to Switzerland to buy it?

I suggest you put it on Instagram with knoll hashtags and tag some dealers in Belgium, Netherlands, Germany and Scandinavia. Making it clear it's for sale. I have a friend who is a dealer in Europe. She buys things cheaper than this and resells mainly to America, Middle East and a few pieces to Australia.

Please don't get rid of it, I think it will be a huge regret

It’s very stylish, very European.

I didn't like it bu,t on seeing the picture of the room I do think it will go with the style.

Could look amazing if it is styled well with a mixture of mid century items. It's a beautiful flat so if all the furniture is curated well it will look cool. The reflective top is good for light.

This absolutely nails it 'mid century styling in a Victorian/period property' (NB not saying your flat is Victorian but it does have similar elements.)
ninasapartment.com/2016/06/29/midcentury-modern-furniture-in-a-victorian-house/