Knoll Saarinen Tulip Oval Dining Table
Bring timeless elegance and modern sophistication to your dining space with the Knoll Saarinen Oval Dining Table, designed by the legendary Eero Saarinen. This iconic table combines a sleek pedestal base with a refined oval top, maximising legroom while maintaining a minimalist, mid-century aesthetic. Perfect for both contemporary and classic interiors, it’s a true centerpiece for any dining room or commercial space.
- Designer : Eero Saarinen
- Year of Design : 1955 - 1957
- Materials : Marble, or laminate, heavy moulded Rilsan protected cast aluminium base
- Dimensions :
Small : W: 198cm; W: 121cm; H: 73cm
Large : W: 244cm; W: 137cm; H: 73cm - Quickship Options (2 - 3 weeks)
198cm (small) - White Base, White Laminate Top
198cm (small) - White Base, Arabescato Marble Top
The lead time displayed above is for guidance based on our usual experience but can be subject to change Once your order has been shipped from the supplier, we will be in touch to provide an ETA. We aim to check, pack and dispatch all orders as soon as they arrive into our Liverpool warehouse.
If you’d like any further information on the lead-time of a specific product, please feel free to contact us via live chat, give us a call on 0151 494 9412 or email sales@utilitydesign.co.uk - please note that our office working hours are 9 am - 5.30 pm Mon-Fri.
Your order will be shipped via our courier partner DPD or a dedicated third-party delivery team depending on the size, weight and/or fragility of your order. If your order exceeds the dimensions/weight restrictions of our courier service, our delivery team will be in touch to arrange delivery with you.
We aim to dispatch all in-stock orders placed before 1pm the same day, on a next working day delivery service.
You can find out more about our delivery terms here, or feel free to get in touch via our live chat function (bottom right of your screen during office hours).
Description
Design History
The Saarinen Oval or Tulip Dining Table by Knoll is a true icon of modern design. Created in 1957 by the legendary architect Eero Saarinen he wanted to design the humble dining table from the 'slum of legs' as he referred to it. In doing so he created the tulip table with its innovative single pedestal base. This gave the table a graceful, sculptural silhouette and redefined the dining experience by eliminating the clutter of traditional table legs - a brilliant solution when they invariably fight with the legs of chairs! Partnered with a selection of tops to suit any interior's aesthetic the provenance of the design was a first. It's popularity is proven - the Saarinen Table remains a Knoll perennial best seller and as such has earned its place in the history books of design classics.
Premium Materials
Crafted with meticulous attention to quality and detail, each Saarinen table features a seamlessly molded heavy cast aluminum base - which is available in a black or white. The tabletop has a beautiful bevelled edge - enhancing its luxury - and comes in your choice of quality materials including a range of marbles, high-performance laminate (a sleek, mordern easy care option), Fenix - the ultimate in practicality - or wooden veneer. This allows you to customize the table to suit your style and space. All marble tables come with an acrylic polyester coating to protect it from stains. This is available in a classic glossy or newer addition satin finish.
Versatility and Application
Whether placed in a formal dining room, open-plan kitchen, or stylish office setting, the Knoll Saarinen Oval Table delivers both beauty and functionality. Its clean, modern lines and minimalist form have made it a staple of design history - and a favorite in contemporary interiors around the world. Indeed, with its elegant oval shape, the Saarinen table offers a sophisticated alternative to the classic round or rectangular dining table. It creates a more inclusive and flowing space - ideal for conversation and connection during meals, meetings, or gatherings.
Sizes and Seating Capacity:
The oval version of the Saarinen Tulip Table comes in two sizes:
198 cm Oval (78") – This seats 6–8 people comfortably
244 cm Oval (96") – This seats 8–10 people comfortably
The Knoll Original
Each table is authentic, licensed, and stamped with Eero Saarinen’s signature and Knoll Studio nameplate - ensuring it is a true investment in timeless design.
Finish Options
White Laminate - a matt white laminate and the most cost effective option.
Black Laminate - a matt black finish made from Fenix - soft touch, resists fingerprints, durable and heat resistant. Minor scratches can be repaired with heat. Non porous.
Clay Laminate - a matt clay finish made from Fenix - soft touch, resists fingerprints, durable and heat resistant. Minor scratches can be repaired with heat. Non porous.
Topo Noir Veneer - A reconstituted quality wood veneer with a black appearance with brown graining, capturing the richness of natural wood
Marble Finish Options:
Arabescato : White marble with grey veining. The classic option - for a luxurious look
Statuarietto : White marble with deep grey/black veining in an intricate pattern
Nero Marquina : Black marble with white and grey random veins.
Rosso Rubino : Rich red with hues that can vary from violet to green with white and green veins
Brown Emperador : Brown marble with random light brown and/or white veigning
Verde Alpi : Green marble with hues varying in tone and intensity.
Grigo Carnico : Characterised by an intense grey colour with white, light and dark grey veining.
Emperador Light : A warm, neutral toned marble with delicate veining and a soft tonality to pair with oak and other woods.
See other Eero Saarinen designs.
See other Dining Tables.
See the Knoll collection.
| Brand | Knoll Studio |
|---|---|
| Designer | Eero Saarinen |
| Year of Design | 1955 - 1957 |
| Dimensions | Small : W: 198cm; W: 121cm; H: 73cm Large : W: 244cm; W: 137cm; H: 73cm |
| Care Instructions | Clean with a soft damp cloth |
| Assembly | Some assembly required |
Eero Saarinen
Eero Saarinen (1910–1961) was a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer known for his innovative, sculptural approach to modernism. Born in Finland and raised in the United States, Saarinen studied architecture at Yale University and later taught at Cranbrook Academy of Art, where his father Eliel Saarinen was director.
Saarinen is widely recognised for landmark architectural works like the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, the TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, and buildings for General Motors and MIT. However, he also played a pivotal role in furniture design, particularly through his collaborations with Knoll Studio.
Working closely with Florence Knoll, Saarinen created some of the most iconic pieces in modern furniture. His most famous contributions include the Tulip Chair and Pedestal Table Collection, designed to eliminate the "slum of legs" found in traditional furniture. These sleek, futuristic pieces exemplified his desire for form to follow both function and beauty, and remain bestsellers in the Knoll catalogue today.
Saarinen’s work for Knoll marked a significant moment in mid-century design, merging architectural vision with industrial design in ways that continue to influence interiors and furniture aesthetics worldwide.
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