Saarinen-Knoll Tulip Coffee Table

Design and Concept

The Tulip coffee table is one of the absolute icons of 20th-century design. Designed by Eero Saarinen with the aim of "cleaning up the chaos of legs," Tulip stands out for its sculptural, fluid, and seamless form, inspired by the natural elegance of the flower from which it takes its name.

Its structure consists of a single central pedestal that widens at the base, eliminating traditional legs and creating a visual effect of extreme lightness and continuity. The design is as functional as it is aesthetic: it offers maximum legroom and a timeless aesthetic, suitable for any setting—from modern to classic, from residential to public.

Materials and Finishes

• Floor :

  • Scratch-resistant white laminate , matte finish (pictured)
    

• Base :

  • Cast aluminum with a glossy white painted finish

  • Transparent protective anti-yellowing treatment

• Floor/base junction :

  • Structural fixing with steel plate

  • Invisible connection from the outside

Available sizes (low table versions)

• Ø 51 cm – H 36 cm

Distinctive Features

• Single cup base (pedestal), which eliminates the visual clutter of multiple legs

• Monolithic and organic aesthetics, but technologically advanced

• Symbol of American modernist design, part of the permanent collections of museums such as the MoMA in New York

• Original product signed and certified by Knoll , with the logo engraved on the base

Intended Uses

• Coffee table or lounge table

• Designer bedside table in sophisticated environments

• Accent element in entrances or corridors

• Perfect in combination with the Tulip Chair or other Saarinen furniture

Conclusion

The Tulip coffee table by Knoll is a masterpiece of modern design: understated, elegant, sculptural , capable of integrating into any context with personality and discretion. More than a simple furnishing accessory, it is a timeless icon , the result of a perfect balance between form, function, and vision.