Tulip Table

The Tulip Table was designed by Eero Saarinen in 1956 as part of his Pedestal Collection for Knoll, driven by his desire to clean up "the slum of legs" beneath conventional tables and chairs. The result was a table with a single central pedestal—a flared aluminum base supporting a round or oval top in marble or laminate—that eliminated visual clutter and created a sense of sculptural unity. The design required years of development to achieve structural stability with a single support point. The Tulip Table has become one of the most popular dining and café tables in modern design, prized for its clean lines, timeless proportions, and practical benefits. The pedestal base allows diners to sit anywhere around the table without bumping into legs, while the smooth, continuous form makes small dining areas feel more spacious. Saarinen's vision of unified, flowing furniture anticipated the minimal aesthetics of contemporary design by decades. The table remains in production by Knoll and continues to anchor dining rooms, kitchens, and commercial spaces worldwide.