Wednesday 16 October 2013

Coffee tables... center piece or dumping ground?

I haven't actually got a coffee table. My parents never really had one either, probably due to a pack of crazy Deerhounds (aka, the best dogs in the world) with waggling tails at coffee table height.

I really love all these pictures and have been wondering if it is what my living room needs, a well worn vintage wooden table to 'tie the room together', in reality though are they useful or just another Interior design concept that is great in theory but in reality, is another place to dump papers, accumulate dirty mugs and only making a well assembled appearance when visitors arrive?

Do you have an immaculate well presented coffee table or is yours a dumping ground too?

Purely decorative coffee table, featuring Amethyst and glass orbs
Vintage box as a coffee table with little green succulent
Coffee table Inventory
Tree Sections as a coffee table
Pretty flowers in vases: Coffee table

16 comments:

Anthropomorphica said...

Ah... those tree stumps... I'm afraid my wild whippety beast puts to sleep my coffee table daydreams. He likes to run around...

Willow said...

Adore this decor ! WE have a similar style here :)

Moa said...

I have two coffee tables one in living room and one in family room. I solved the dumping ground problem by designating two junk drawers fro my husband...three from me and a big basket that I quickly cover when company comes.
These are amazing.
Deerhounds have a special place in my heart...Karen Blixen had Deerhounds...at least in the movie "Out of Africa" Mo'a

Christine said...

I love the tree stumps!

We haven't had room for a coffee table in years until our recent move to a bigger place. Previously, they ended up dumping grounds mostly due to having a new baby and not enough time to pick up after ourselves.

We've been trying to decide if we want one in our new house and if we can trust ourselves not to stack all the old magazines on it.

Unknown said...

uhhh the crystals & fossils.
coffee tables are too good. a 3d mood board

Unknown said...

It seems that you are very creative as you have decorated the coffee table with some very color full things.

Thanks
Finn Felton

Kopi Luwak

Patricia G said...

I love the tree stumps. A collection of small ones grouped together like that is a great idea & you can rearrange them. Think I'd like a least one of them upholstered to make a footstool too.

nancyworegreenstockings said...

I have an ottoman and a stool instead. They're perfect to put tea or a book down on, but they never gather too much stuff, I can put my feet up, and they can function as a whole other seat if necessary.

Anonymous said...

Found an awesome, handmade, 1960s, Spanish style, wood and curly metal coffee table this year the SA. It's covered with a vintage tapestry and multiple candles in vintage 60s holders. I keep my drink on it while reading and it's low enough to put my feet up on if I want to. To keep too many books from piling up, I have a vintage basket underneath it to hold the overflow. I LOVE my coffee table!

Teacats said...

Love the inspiration photos -- and yes -- a coffee table does seem to add a focal point to a seating area. Plus -- add an old tray and you have an easy way to corral creative stuff! We have two coffee tables in our one-and-only living room -- an old wood trunk (great for storage!) and an old mahogany table!

Notes From ABroad said...

If I were not sharing my coffee table, it would be a beautiful center piece .. but that man I live with insists on using it as his desk and god knows what else ... at night I make it all neat and pretty and about 10 minutes after I get up in the am, there are books, laptops, papers and coffee cups on the coffee table. Oh well :)
We bought ours in an antique store in Buenos Aires and I love it. It is so big, 4 people could sit around it and have dinner.

Rose Catron said...

I love my coffee table! Provides a foot rest when watching TV and a great place to play board games - so much cozier than our dining room table. I manage to keep it pretty clear but it definitely accumulates junk during the week. And yes, my doggie has knocked over many glasses of water/beer all over the table with his enthusiastic tail!

rebecca said...

Dumping Ground, I confess :(

Anonymous said...

my husband thinks that every flat surface is his to defile...no coffee table in our future!

Deanna said...

We have a large, square coffee table which I decorate seasonally. We purposely chose something which guests would feel comfortable putting their feet on. It's also a good size for board games. I'll put a cup of tea on it while watching t.v. but I am good about putting things away so it doesn't become a dumping ground.

Laura Harwood said...

I got one for my birthday! A mama moonphase shelf! Its amazing! Took forever to get through customs from the US and HIGH tax on it...but so worth it!