The Tulip table has a very strong identity: a single goblet-shaped pedestal, soft curves and a top that seems to float. That is exactly why the chairs around it matter so much. They can make it feel warmer, more graphic or more restrained. Among the chairs we offer, three models come from the same golden age of design as the Tulip: the DSW, the DSR and the Series 7. Here is a straightforward comparison to help you decide.
Three chairs from the same era
Eero Saarinen designed the Tulip table in the mid-1950s. Around the same time, Charles and Ray Eames were experimenting with moulded shells on different bases, which gave rise to the chairs we now call the DSW (wooden legs) and the DSR (metal base). In Denmark, Arne Jacobsen introduced the Series 7 chair with its bent-wood shell. Our versions are inspired by these designs: the same lightness, organic shapes and pared-back structure. That is why they sit so naturally next to a Tulip: they speak the same language.
DSW chair: warm wood and colour
The DSW chair with solid beech legs combines a coloured polypropylene shell with four solid beech legs. It is the cosiest of the three: the pale wood warms up the room and softens the white of a Carrara marble or laminate top.
- Colours: white, black, red, grey, yellow and green. It is the only one of the three that really lets you play with colour.
- Stability: fixed four-leg frame, not stackable, very steady in everyday use.
- Best for: Scandinavian and mid-century interiors, open-plan kitchens, homes with wooden floors.
Our tip: with a white table, white DSW chairs create a bright, seamless look, while two or four coloured chairs add instant character without making the space feel heavy.
DSR chair: lightness with a metal touch
The DSR chair with metal legs has the same polypropylene shell on a chrome-plated steel wire base, the well-known "Eiffel" base. The effect is more graphic and see-through: your eye travels through the legs and the dining area feels more open. The feet are adjustable, which helps on floors that are not perfectly level.
- Colours: white and black.
- Dimensions: height 80.5 cm, seat height 44 cm, width 46.5 cm.
- Best for: contemporary and industrial interiors, small rooms that need a lighter feel.
A black DSR next to a Marquinia or Emperador Dark marble top creates a bold, elegant contrast; in white, paired with Carrara or Arabescato, the look becomes almost monochrome.
Series 7 chair: refined bent wood
The Series 7 chair with curved beech shell is the slimmest and most sculptural of the three. Its beech plywood shell, available in natural, white lacquer or black lacquer, sits on a polished chrome tubular steel frame. It is made in Italy.
- Dimensions: 49 x 44 x 75 cm, seat height 44.5 cm.
- How it feels: a compact, enveloping seat with a low back that keeps the table in view.
- Best for: refined homes, studios and offices, dining rooms where the table should stay the star.
With a Calacatta Oro or Verde Alpi marble top, a Series 7 in natural beech or black lacquer is a choice for true design lovers.
Quick comparison: how to decide
- Want colour and a warm atmosphere? Go for the DSW.
- Need to lighten a small room? The DSR, with its wire base, is the most transparent.
- Looking for an understated, sophisticated feel? The Series 7 is the most elegant and the slimmest.
- Children at home or heavy daily use? The polypropylene shells of the DSW and DSR wipe clean easily with a damp cloth.
Heights and space: the numbers to check
All three chairs have a seat height of 44 to 44.5 cm, a comfortable match for a standard-height dining table that leaves the right amount of leg room. For more detail, see our guide to dining table and chair height. One more advantage of the Tulip: with no legs at the corners, you can place chairs freely all the way around, and even squeeze in an extra one when you need more seats.
Mixing models? Yes, with one rule
Mixing different chairs is a great idea as long as there is a common thread: the same colour (for example all-white DSW and DSR), the same material, or a symmetrical layout such as two Series 7 chairs at the ends and four DSW chairs along the sides of an oval table. For more ideas, read our guide on how to match chairs to your Tulip table.
In short
The DSW, DSR and Series 7 share the same design philosophy as the Tulip table: clean shapes, honest materials and nothing superfluous. The right choice depends on your space and the character you want to give the room. Browse all models in our chairs section and choose your top from our marble and laminate Tulip tables. Need advice on a pairing? Get in touch and we will be happy to help.