The Saarinen (or Tulip) by Knoll is an iconic table by the famous Finnish American architect and designer Eero Saarinen, from whom it also inherited its name.
Known for its minimalist and distinctive shape, it is one of the most recognizable pieces of 20th century design, created in 1956 as part of a quest to conceive a design that was timeless and challenged the ephemeral trends of the time.
Tulip or Saarinen?
It’s a bit like asking whether the chicken or the egg came first: Tulip is the concept, Saarinen is the name of whoever thought of it, but in fact in the annals of design they have become one single thing and icon.
Eero Saarinen designed the famous table in 1956 as part of his “Pedestal Collection” series and with the main objective of creating a piece of furniture that was extremely functional and versatile, but at the same time elegant and without superfluous components. It is characterized by a top that seems to float in balance on a thin, tulip-shaped base, hence the name Tulip, designed to eliminate the “problem” of table legs and to offer a sensation of lightness and visual continuity.
One of the Saarinen’s defining characteristics is its ability to adapt to a variety of environments thanks to its timeless design and elegant versatility. This table is particularly suitable for modern and minimalist spaces but can be used in a wide range of contexts, from residential to commercial or even institutional spaces.
Over the years, Tulip products, or Saarinen if you prefer, have evolved into a collection that also includes chairs, armchairs, and coffee tables, all sharing the same idea of visual and functional freedom.
The “under the table”
Eero Saarinen was obsessed with the desire to solve and definitively eliminate the problem, if we can call it that, of the “under the table”. When he talked about “table legs” he was referring to the fact that many traditional chairs and tables had, and still have, protruding legs that limited the space under the table, making them uncomfortable and a hindrance in use, as well as visually distracting.
Saarinen tried to solve this problem through the design of the Tulip table and his other creations. The tulip-shaped base, in fact, was designed to eliminate this problem and offer an elegant design without visible legs. It took 5 years of studies and research, but the result was a concept that helped create a feeling of openness and freedom, improving the comfort and functionality of the furniture.
Fun fact: another “obsession” of the designer was the competition with his colleague Herman Miller. When his friend Hans Knoll wrote that he would like to commission a new project from him, Eero’s response was“I’m very enthusiastic about the new concept… I’ve been working every evening and I have a whole wall full of sketches. I came up with an idea that I think will blow Herman Miller away.” Competitive, right?
Why we like it
Distinctive characteristics of the Saarinen include:
- Pedestal Base: The table is supported by a single pedestal-shaped base, which extends downwards from a round or oval top. As mentioned, this design eliminates the traditional legs of the table, giving it a streamlined and clean look.
- High-quality materials: The Saarinen is available in a variety of tabletop materials, including marble, laminate, and wood, always high-end and carefully finished.
- Various sizes and shapes: circular or oval, large or small, high or low… there is no space or need to which Saarinen is not able to adapt, always giving his best.
- Timeless style: as a consequence of the above and thanks to its minimalist and timeless design, it suits a wide range of decor styles, becoming a popular choice for all interiors, from the most classic to the modern and minimal.
- Durability and solidity: Despite its light appearance and thanks to the weighted foot, the Saarinen table enjoys exceptional stability; a characteristic perhaps less “poetic” than the others, but still fundamental for conceiving a design equally composed of beauty, refinement, and functionality.
