Dine-1-1.

I love cooking and giving dinner parties. And I love creating a fantastic dining room. I'm not much for a traditional look though, with the table and chairs matching. I love the look of an old farm table mixed with some contemporary designs, like a Saarinen Tulip Chair (like my star-based ones, which I found on craigslist - all four and with the Knoll table for $150!), or anything a little bit unusual. I even like completely mismatched chairs. I adore the look of a modern table, and in converse, mixed with some traditional antique or vintage chairs. I suppose I just like the juxtaposition of old and new combined, and I think it's a great way to save money. Buy a nice table, or chairs and then mix 'em up with inexpensive flea market, ebay, or craigslist finds. I went through my files of magazine clippings and found some fun examples for you.

I love these black lacquered bentwood chairs around the white Saarinen table;
and the galvanized French metal cafe chairs with the pine farm table look great.

These bamboo chairs look lovely with the traditional white dining table;
and this little nook demonstrated in Domino with the Ikea Docksta table and
mid-century modern McCobb chairs is a fun look, as well as a wonderful space saver.

Another wonderful example of the Ikea Docksta table mixed with these dramatic
tall back chairs; and a farm table mixed up with antique black lacquer chairs.

I just want to move in here! Pretty black Saarenin table with
mid-century Eames Molded Plywood Lounge Chairs.

The beautiful oval-shaped Saarinen table with
Danish modern armchairs looks really sleek and pretty.

I love this modern Saarinen Tulip set
combined with the ornate, antique hutch.

The mix and match look of these interestingly shaped
wrought-iron chairs is so much fun for dining al fresco.