CIELSHOP

Tulip Style Table Buyers Guide

 

Buying Guide For Marble Tables

 

It’s not always easy finding the right table – perhaps you’ve already got an established décor and other tables just don’t fit. Or maybe, you’re a bit short on space… Our faithful reproduction of Saarinen’s famous Oval Tulip Table could be the answer. Its streamlined design means there’s no bulk. And it’s as fresh, stylish and beautiful as the day it was designed back in the fifties. It was made with one eye on the future, but retains its classic 50s/60’s cool so it fits in to any kind of home.

 

Saarinen famously said in the 1950's that he wanted to “clear up the slum of legs” by designing his classic tulip stem chairs which revolutionised the traditional design of furniture.

 

Since then, many different reproductions of the stem 'tulip style' table have been created, from the basic circular or square tops with chunky pedestal, (so often favoured by restaurants and bistros worldwide), to the refined and honed look of a classic style in a choice of materials.

Prices can vary a great deal and when buying online it can often be tricky to differentiate the good from the poor, so the following guide we hope may be of assistance if you are currently looking to buy such a table.

 

SIZING

There are many different sizes to suit, with the most popular being, 90cm, 100cm/110cm/120cm, 130cm/140cm diameter round and larger oval shaped usually circa 170cm and 200cm long.

 

 

As a seating guide: a 90cm table will seat four people. 110cm/120cm five to six, 130/140cm seven to eight people. In the oval shaped; 170cm long will seat eight and the larger 198cm x 120cm will seat up to ten people, depending on the width and style of chairs used.

The table is two component parts: the top and base.

 

THE TOP

 

Marble:

Quality can vary from cheaper Asian marbles to Italian quarried natural stone.

Chinese marble can still be of good quality but tends to be slightly warmer tone and not as cool as the white Italian Carrera marble, which is considered one of the best in the world for its natural look, and is smooth with grey veining running through the white.

NB: Marble tops are heavy with larger sized ones up to circa 95kg in weight, so it is advisable to ensure the area is suitable for such an item pre-purchasing and measuring up the space to allow for the right size.

 

Most reproductions are manufactured in Asia due to labour and production costs, as is much furniture in general these days, so this is not necessarily an issue, however, do check with the retailer that it is Italian quarried marble being used if choosing the Carrera option.

 

 

Tip: Check base material. If possible choose an aluminium option.

 

THE BASE

 

Usually, there are two versions of the base: aluminium or fibreglass. Cast aluminium is the better of the two. Made from a one-piece mould, it is stronger and much lighter than the fibreglass option. These are sprayed in a powder-coated step process to a high gloss finish to match the top and usually available in gloss white or black. We only use the heavy cast aluminium bases for our tables, as we believe they are the best option and are more environmentally friendly.

 

[Cheaper bases tend to skimp on the paint process to save on production costs, which in turn can lead to bases chipping and bases having less strength leading to excess flex, which in turn again, can lead to a wobble on the tabletop].

 

 

ASSEMBLY

There is usually a metal base plate, on the underneath of the top which will have pre-drilled bolt points. The base will align and screw into this plate, usually via several bolts and an Allen key provided.

 

Tip: If you are assembling the table yourself, open the crating and pull back the internal packaging but leave the tabletop with baseplate facing upwards, in its crate on the floor. Unbox the base and turn it upside down onto the top. You can then affix the base more easily. Once secured correctly, using two persons (or more for larger tables), lift the table by its edges, out of the crate and turn it upright.

 

Tip: Check type and origin of marble

 

MARBLE TOP CARE

Most marble table tops are supplied factory polished, which means they have been machine polished to a high gloss, however, they also remain 'unsealed' and as marble is a natural and porous stone, any water or wine stains can seep in.

 

It is always advisable before using, to apply a marble sealant specifically made for 'machine polished stone', and as a general rule, this should be re-applied every six months or so, to maintain a good seal. Most hardware stores, online shops or tile merchants sell different brands of sealants. You should have a very durable and beautiful table that will last the test of time, with the correct care and maintenance used.We recommend the following brand as the most consistent AKEMI ANTI-FLECK STAIN REPELLANT NANO EFFECT available to order online.

 

Care and maintenance for all tabletops including the marble, wood and the white, which have a high gloss lacquer we recommend to keep surfaces, clean especially after spillages with strong colours such as ketchup, wine etc. should still be wiped off as soon as possible to prevent residual staining.

 

OVERALL

You can view more information on our range of marble tables here. Or feel free to call us on +44[0] 1273443837 or email us to sales1@cielshop.co.uk further information.

 

NB If not purchasing from us Speak or communicate with the retailer if you can. They will confirm materials and in general, the better the manufacturing process and materials used, the higher the cost to the retailer from the factory, so thus the retail pricing will reflect this, however,