The Versatility Of The Pedestal Table In My Friend’s Home (And My Search For Finding More Traditional Versions)

We are deep diving today on what I think is one of the most versatile and timeless pieces of furniture, EVER – the pedestal table. Now pedestal tables have been around for a few hundred years (which really isn’t that long if you think about it), but they were mostly with carved wood bases, rather chunky with legs (think a 1940s wooden kitchen table in a nook). And while that has its time and place, it often feels more “country” than a lot of us want. And then, of course, in 1958, Saarinen broke the internet (LOL) with the tulip table – an undeniably modern shape with just one white swoop from floor to tabletop. Luckily, this created a movement that saves us so much space and can add a modern element in any traditional context (without screaming mod). While designing my best friend’s house, I apparently leaned hard into pedestal tables because I brought three into her house. But TBH it was hard to find any that felt like they had some sort of traditional bent to them (I didn’t want the hyper-mod white tulip table base). So today I’ll show you what I did find, why they work, and we’ll round up more that might work in your house (in a variety of sizes).

The Smaller Entry Table
I also wanted to show off this pretty entry that didn’t make it into any of the reveals :) The reason pedestal tables are so popular in entries (and why they work here) is that round is inherently good for flow (less hip bumping) and the simple base shape complements all the lines of more traditional stair railings. Imagine if this table were square or had three or four legs? GASP! The streamlined silhouette contrasts perfectly in this busy space (even without that lovely wallpaper).



Even if it was a much larger entry that allowed the table to float, you still want a round entry table, and the simpler base helps it feel more like a pedestal, rather than a dining table that feels naked without chairs.


This one was actually bought for another job, but it works so perfectly in here, and the warmth of the wood helps it work well in this traditional space, not feeling too cold.

Dining Niche Pedestal Dining Table
Now, this table was a lot harder to find. It had to be round due to the shape of the room, it had to be pedestal (or a single base holding up the top) so that the chairs could be moved easily, but again, I didn’t want the classic DWR marble tulip table. We needed 54″ (48″ and 60″ were more standard), but for this home, we wanted it to feel classic and traditional, not too contemporary. I ended up finding this at Frontgate (and it was an investment), but the marble on top is dramatic and cool, while the base still has some traditional carved elements.

It ended up being pretty darn perfect if you ask me, and while we did find more options for you, I still think there is a hole in the market for more traditional style pedestal tables.
Drop Zone Vignette
We also used this one in the corner, offsetting the huge masculine rectangular modern art with a simple shape in a traditional material (dark veiny stone). I still think that this photo is intense for this room (which I told my friends my opinion), and I wanted to do a huge amorphous mirror here. I think that the table really softens the art, while edging up the room still (they don’t like hyper traditional, carved wood pieces). I also love that with pedestal tables, you can sneak in little benches like this that not only add another design element, color, and texture but are such great stools to pull out for guests.

So that’s my TED talk on “The Versatility Of The Pedestal Table”. My hope is that more companies will continue to make the single-center-based table in more styles and materials. While we did find a lot, however, finding good traditional ones wasn’t easy. So these are the ones we really loved overall, are in different styles, and in three different sizes:)