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Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

Finnish, 1910-1961

Through his work as an architect and designer, Eero Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York (opened 1962), Dulles International Airport in Virginia (1962) and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri (1965).

Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.

At Cranbrook, Saarinen also met Florence Schust Knoll, who, as director of her husband Hans Knoll's eponymous furniture company, would put Saarinen’s best designs into production. These include the Grasshopper chair, designed in 1946 and so named because its angled bentwood frame resembles the insect; the Tulip chair (1957), a flower-shaped fiberglass shell mounted on a cast-aluminum pedestal; and the lushly contoured Womb lounge chair and ottoman (1948). In his furniture as in his architecture, the keynotes of Eero Saarinen’s designs are simplicity, strength and grace.

Find vintage Eero Saarinen tables, chairs and other furniture on 1stDibs.

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Creator: Eero Saarinen
Executive Leather Chair with Swivel & Tilt Base by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Executive Leather Chair with Swivel & Tilt Base by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

Executive Leather Chair with Swivel & Tilt Base by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

$1,200 / item

Executive Leather Chair with Swivel & Tilt Base by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Executive Leather Chair Swivel & Tilt Base Seat Height adjusts from about 18" up to 22" Eero Saarinen for Knoll Knoll Label on Underside Newer Fabrication - Two Available Swivel ...

Category

2010s American Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

Materials

Metal, Chrome

Swiveling Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll
Swiveling Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

Swiveling Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

$4,800 / item

Swiveling Armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Sagaponack, NY

A Mid-Century Modern sculptural swiveling armchair designed by Eero Saarinen featuring a cruciform chromed steel base with casters. The seat retains its original textured wool uphols...

Category

1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

Materials

Stainless Steel

Early Saarinen Knoll Executive Task or Desk Chair Tilt Swivel Castors Orig Vinyl
Early Saarinen Knoll Executive Task or Desk Chair Tilt Swivel Castors Orig Vinyl

Early Saarinen Knoll Executive Task or Desk Chair Tilt Swivel Castors Orig Vinyl

$1,795

Early Saarinen Knoll Executive Task or Desk Chair Tilt Swivel Castors Orig Vinyl

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Please note, I have a matching pair of armchairs, see last picture. Executive armchair designed in 1950 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll Associates. This example is from the early '50's, with the earliest tilt mechanism. All original! The original blue vinyl is soft and comfortable, with a couple small repairs I made - see pictures. The padding is soft and everything works as it should. A very sturdy and comfy chair...

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

Executive Swivel Office Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, c. 1950
Executive Swivel Office Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, c. 1950

Executive Swivel Office Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, c. 1950

$4,200

Executive Swivel Office Chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll, c. 1950

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in New York City, NY

Executive swivel office chair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. Made in the United States circa 1950.

Category

1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

Materials

Steel

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Pair of Eero Saarinen Executive Armchairs for Knoll

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Pair of Eero Saarinen Executive Armchairs for Knoll

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Pair Saarinen Knoll Executive Chairs Black Leather Tilt Swivel Height Adjustable
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H 32 in W 27 in D 25 in

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$3,100 / item

H 32 in W 25.5 in D 24.5 in

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Located in Wilton, CT

We have been restoring Saarinen executive chairs for years in every fabric one can imagine, right in our very own workroom. We’ve restored these chairs using a supple Italian Leather...

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21st Century and Contemporary American Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

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Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available
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Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available

$285 / item

H 33.5 in W 27 in D 17 in

Post Modern Knoll Swivel Desk, Office, Chairs 11 Available

By Knoll, Don Chadwick

Located in New York, NY

Exceptional Knoll swivel desk chair(s) from the 1970's, in rich brown formed foam upholstery, on five star base. The chair swivels a full 360, and the base is on double wheel coaster...

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Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International
Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International

Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International

$10,701 / set

H 31.11 in W 23.23 in D 22.84 in

Set of 8 Saarinen Executive chairs by Eero Saarinen – Knoll International

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Uccle, BE

Set of 8 “Saarinen Executive” armchairs with tubular legs. Cognac-colored leather cover. This armchair with ample shapes offers excellent comfort. Featured in many interiors, Eero Saarinen’s chair...

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1960's Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive Arm Chairs - a Pair
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$3,299 / set

H 31 in W 26 in D 24.5 in

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By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Burbank, CA

Pair of authentic vintage Midcentury Modern armchairs for sale. These date back to the 1960's, and have been professionally reupholstered in new fabric and foam. They have a fibergla...

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H 31.5 in W 26 in D 24.75 in

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By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Philadelphia, PA

This is a Saarinen Executive Chair, Model 71 USB, originally designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll in 1950. This particular example dates to the 1970s. The listed price includes one ch...

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Eero Saarinen for Knoll Executive/Dining Chairs Up to 10
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H 28 in W 25 in D 24 in

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Previously Available Items
Eero Saarinen Tilt / Swivel Executive Chair
Eero Saarinen Tilt / Swivel Executive Chair

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H 33.47 in W 25.99 in D 25.2 in

Eero Saarinen Tilt / Swivel Executive Chair

By Eero Saarinen

Located in Dronten, NL

Early executive arm chair with rare height adjustability, tilt and swivel. Designed in 1950 by Eero Saarinen for Knoll International. This example from the '50's, with the earliest ...

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1950s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

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Vintage Mid Century Modern Black Swivel Tulip Dining Chairs - Set of 8

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H 32 in W 19 in D 17 in

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Vintage Mid Century Modern Black Swivel Tulip Dining Chairs - Set of 8 These chairs showcase the timeless beauty of mid century modern design, fea...

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Eero Saarinen Tulip Armchair Knoll Studio 1970s

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Eero Saarinen Tulip Armchair Knoll Studio 1970s

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A superb set of four (4) swivel armchairs of recent vintage, made by KnollStudio. Tagged under seat cushion. Metal labels underneath base. Dimensions: H 32" x W 26" x D 24" x SH 19" ...

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Located in San Jose, CA

Mid-Century Modern pair of tulip stools designed by Eero Saarinen for Knoll circa 1980's. This versatile set features heavy cast aluminum tulip bases and round swivel seats in an abs...

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Pair of Eero Saarinen Revolving Tulip Chairs, Knoll International

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H 31.89 in W 20.08 in D 21.66 in

Pair of Eero Saarinen Revolving Tulip Chairs, Knoll International

By Eero Saarinen

Located in Berlin, Berlin

Pair of Tulip chairs designed by Eero Saarinen. U.S.A., Knoll International. Black cast aluminium tulip bases with swivel seats. Original early 21st century chairs with 'Knoll Studi...

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Eero Saarinen For Knoll Mid-Century Modern Executive Swivel Side Chairs
Eero Saarinen For Knoll Mid-Century Modern Executive Swivel Side Chairs

Eero Saarinen For Knoll Mid-Century Modern Executive Swivel Side Chairs

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H 35 in W 22 in D 25 in

Eero Saarinen For Knoll Mid-Century Modern Executive Swivel Side Chairs

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Astoria, NY

Eeero Saarinen for Knoll Mid-Century Modern pair of executive side chairs on swivel bases with leather upholstery, originally designed in 1946.

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Pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs Swivel by Knoll
Pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs Swivel by Knoll

Pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs Swivel by Knoll

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H 32.68 in W 27.56 in D 23.63 in

Pair of Saarinen Executive Armchairs Swivel by Knoll

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Grand Cayman, KY

Iconic executive armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. This example features original fabric. Also, an uncluttered 5-star swivel base with black glide stops. Rare example without cast...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

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Pr. Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs by Knoll
Pr. Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs by Knoll

Pr. Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs by Knoll

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H 32 in W 19.5 in D 18 in

Pr. Eero Saarinen Tulip Chairs by Knoll

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Located in New York, NY

Nice pair of Saarinen design tulip chairs, marked Knoll 655 Madison Ave. Both chairs are in good, original condition, free of cracks, chips or structural damage. Both show minor pain...

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Late 20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

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Saarinen Executive Armchair Swivel in Original Red Ochre by Knoll
Saarinen Executive Armchair Swivel in Original Red Ochre by Knoll

Saarinen Executive Armchair Swivel in Original Red Ochre by Knoll

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H 25 in W 24 in D 21 in

Saarinen Executive Armchair Swivel in Original Red Ochre by Knoll

By Knoll, Eero Saarinen

Located in Grand Cayman, KY

Iconic executive armchair by Eero Saarinen for Knoll. This example features original red ochre fabric, which has a sumptuous deep pile. Also, an uncluttered ...

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1960s American Mid-Century Modern Vintage Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs

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Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk Chair
Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk Chair

Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk Chair

Sold

H 32.5 in W 25 in D 19 in

Saarinen for Knoll Executive Desk Chair

By Eero Saarinen, Knoll

Located in Philadelphia, PA

Saarinen for knoll executive desk chair. Rare and uncommon form. Chair produced in 1964 only! Classic tulip design with a rolling base. Retains or...

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Eero Saarinen swivel chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Eero Saarinen swivel chairs are available for sale on 1stDibs. These distinctive items are frequently made of fabric and are designed with extraordinary care. There are many options to choose from in our collection of Eero Saarinen swivel chairs, although beige editions of this piece are particularly popular. Many of the original swivel chairs by Eero Saarinen were created in the mid-century modern style in united states during the 20th century. If you’re looking for additional options, many customers also consider swivel chairs by Selig, Weiman, and George Mulhauser. Prices for Eero Saarinen swivel chairs can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — on 1stDibs, these items begin at $1,200 and can go as high as $9,431, while a piece like these, on average, fetch $3,278.

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Questions About Eero Saarinen Swivel Chairs
  • Where is Eero Saarinen from?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Eero Saarinen was originally from Finland. He was born in Kirkkonummi in 1910. In 1923, his family moved to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan. The architect and designer lived in the U.S. for much of the remainder of his life. He died in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1991. Shop a selection of Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Who is Eero Saarinen?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
    Eero Saarinen was a Finnish-American architect and designer and a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best-known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport in New York, Dulles International Airport in Virginia and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

    Saarinen’s designs for Knoll, such as the Womb chair, Tulip chair and Pedestal table, are acclaimed all over the world.

    Find a selection of vintage Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • What is Eero Saarinen famous for?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 16, 2024
    Eero Saarinen is famous for his work as a designer and architect. He was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Saarinen designed the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Dulles International Airport in Virginia, the Gateway Arch in St. Louis and many other structures. As a furniture designer, he is best known for his Grasshopper chair, Tulip chair and Womb lounge chair and ottoman. Find a collection of Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • What did Eero Saarinen design?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
    Eero Saarinen designed many pieces of furniture as well as acclaimed buildings and monuments during his lifetime. Saarinen created the TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy airport, the Gateway Arch in Missouri, and Dulles International Airport in Virginia. Some of Saarinen’s most famous furniture designs include the Pedestal table, the Womb chair and the Tulip chair.

    Shop a collection of vintage Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • How do I pronounce Eero Saarinen?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
    To pronounce Eero Saarinen, say "EH-row SAH-ruh-nuhn." The architect and designer was born in Kirkkonummi, Finland, in 1910 but was raised in Michigan in the United States. Saarinen is known for his sculptural architecture projects as well as the innovative modernist furniture he designed for Knoll.

    Find vintage Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Who is Eero Saarinen’s father?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
    Eero Saarinen's father was Eliel Saarinen, a well-known Finnish-American architect. In 1923, he moved Eero and the rest of his family from their native Finland to Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, where he and his wife Loja taught at the Cranbrook Academy of Art. Eliel was named president at Cranbook in 1932.

    Find a selection of Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Is Eero Saarinen a postmodernist?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 29, 2024
    No, Eero Saarinen was not a postmodernist. The work of the Finnish-American architect and furniture designer is primarily associated with modernism. His best known designs for seating and tables, created during the 1940s and 1950s, were manufactured by Knoll, a furniture brand and a chief influence in the rise of modern design in the United States.

    Postmodern design was a short-lived movement that manifested itself chiefly in Italy and the United States in the early 1980s (Saarinen died in 1961).

    Find vintage Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Why did Eero Saarinen move to Hamden?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Eero Saarinen moved the design firm started by his father from Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, to Hamden, Connecticut, in1961, but no authoritative sources state why. Most likely, he had a desire to be closer to the campus of Yale University. Saarinen graduated from the post-secondary institution in 1934 and designed buildings on the campus. Find a range of Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • Why was Eero Saarinen a modern architect?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 31, 2024
    Eero Saarinen is considered a modern architect for a number of reasons. An innovative merging of the International Style and the influence of Frank Lloyd Wright can be found in his acclaimed building projects and monuments. He worked with steel and concrete, just as his modernist peers had, and the neo-futuristic forms that characterize his architecture are those commonly associated with modernism.

    Through his work as an architect and designer, Saarinen was a prime mover in the introduction of modernism into the American mainstream. Particularly affecting were the organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen’s furniture and his best known structures: the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Dulles International Airport in Virginia and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri.

    Saarinen had a peerless modernist pedigree. His father, Eliel Saarinen, was an eminent Finnish architect who in 1932 became the first head of the Cranbrook Academy of Art in suburban Detroit. The school became synonymous with progressive design and decorative arts in the United States, and while studying there the younger Saarinen met and befriended several luminaries of mid-century modernism, among them Harry Bertoia and Charles and Ray Eames.

    Like all modernist designers of the mid-century era, Saarinen was interested in the new technology and new and venturesome applications for materials that became widely available for the production of domestic goods in the postwar era. Thanks to Florence Knoll, a pioneering designer in her own right, his famous designs for seating and tables, created during the 1940s and 1950s, were manufactured by Knoll, which was a prominent influence in the rise of modern design in the United States.

    Find vintage Eero Saarinen furniture for sale on 1stDibs.
  • What is the concept of Eero Saarinen's work?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    The concept of Eero Saarinen's work was to convey expressive statements through buildings and furniture. The keynotes of his modern designs were simplicity, strength and grace. The organic, curvilinear forms seen in Saarinen's furniture and his best-known structures, like the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Dulles International Airport in Virginia and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, went on to influence generations of architects and designers. On 1stDibs, shop a collection of Eero Saarinen furniture.
  • How tall is an Eero Saarinen table?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    An Eero Saarinen table is 28.25” high. It comes in a variety of widths, with a 42” round table seating 4 to 5 people. You can shop a selection of Eero Saarinen designs from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • What materials did Eero Saarinen use?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Eero Saarinen is a Finnish-American architect and industrial designer that worked with a variety of mediums, including steel, glass and concrete. Eero Saarinen is also credited with the creation of some notable styles of furniture, including the Tulip chair. Browse a variety of Eero Saarinen designed furniture on 1stDibs.
  • What material did Eero Saarinen use?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Eero Saarinen used a variety of materials in his furniture designs. Some of his designs feature hardwood frames, but he didn't work in wood exclusively. His Tulip chair consists of a fiberglass seat mounted on a cast aluminum base. You'll find a range of Eero Saarinen furniture on 1stDibs.
  • What is the history of Eero Saarinen's Womb chair?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2024
    The history of Eero Saarinen's Womb Chair dates back to the late 1940s. It was then that designer and entrepreneur Florence Knoll challenged her friend, Eero Saarinen, to create the most comfortable chair ever made. To succeed at the task, Saarinen sought to evoke what he imagined was the comfortable, secure feeling of being in the womb and set out to design the now iconic chair. Production of the Womb chair began in 1948, and it didn't take long for the seat to become a cultural phenomenon. In the decade following its release, it appeared in a Coca-Cola commercial, a New Yorker magazine cartoon and a Norman Rockwell painting on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post. Today, Knoll offers the seat in 15 upholstery options, and when Saarinen's famous TWA terminal reopened as a hotel in 2019, Womb chairs were featured prominently in the guest rooms. Explore a collection of Eero Saarinen Womb chairs on 1stDibs.
  • Can you change Eero Saarinen chair legs?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Whether you can replace Eero Saarinen chair legs depends on the chair. You can most easily swap out the legs on pieces that feature wooden dowels like the Lilac Organic. You will likely find it more difficult to replace legs on chairs that include metal bases like the Executive arm chair or pedestals like the Tulip. You'll find a collection of Eero Saarinen chairs on 1stDibs.
  • What did Eero Saarinen believe was the architect's role?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertFebruary 7, 2024
    Eero Saarinen believed that the architect's role was to create structures that enhance daily life and inspire people to consider new possibilities. He thought that buildings should suit their intended purpose well and provide comfortable accommodations while at the same time being aesthetically appealing. Some of his best-known structures include the gull-winged TWA Flight Center at John F. Kennedy Airport in New York, Dulles International Airport in Virginia and the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri. On 1stDibs, explore a variety of Eero Saarinen furniture.
  • What materials did Eero Saarinen use for his pedestal chairs?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Eero Saarinen’s famed pedestal chairs, although streamlined in appearance, are crafted with a variety of materials from aluminum and molded fiberglass to the plastic-bonded finish. You can shop a selection of Eero Saarinen pieces from some of the world’s top sellers on 1stDibs.
  • What style is Eero Saarinen’s St. Louis Gateway Arch?
    1 Answer
    1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    Historians classify Eero Saarinen's St. Louis Gateway Arch as modern architecture. This is due largely to the simple curving shape of the arch and its perfect symmetry. In addition, the arch reflects Neo-futurism, a forward-looking movement that frequently incorporated steel, concrete and glass. On 1stDibs, find a variety of Eero Saarinen furniture designs.

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