Advice on coffee table
Hi everyone,
We are moving into a converted church, very exciting but also intimidating from a design perspective! It's simple not too traditional (no stained glass windows or arches, but large open living/dining/kitchen area, gold roses in the ceilings, modern kitchen, light wooden floors, white walls).
We want to create a conversational area in the living room with two opposing sofas. We have the West Elm axle sofas and a blue-ish rug similar to the photo - we love the clean, simple lines that we thought would not overshadow the rest of our decorations / wall hangings collected in our travels. So it's a bit of a mixture of modern with pops of tribal (African, SE Asian, etc) colorful, eclectic treasures.
We also love raw wood like things like these stumpies and are fans of Scandinavian simplicity and occasional harshness of industrial.
We don't know what to do about a coffee table given the mishmash of our treasures and possibly conflicting favourite design. I don't want to go with marble, glass top, mid-century or too modern because the sofas float already and we have so much open space. I'm not sure if introducing anything heavy or a different wood would work, but I like the idea of something different. I've also read that if you don't get a coffee table large enough then having two opposing sofas will feel like a hotel lobby. Our other furniture is all mostly mango wood like these pieces but in the natural mango wood finish (these are all darker):
Any recommendations?
Mirey
Comments (14)
strawberry47
7 years agoM L
7 years agoRelated Discussions
Will this coffee table date?
Comments (31)I say “no” to the table because it is just too much of the same shape as the couch and the media stand; because the top is not the bright white; because the frame is so industrial and your sofa is not that look. Consider the feet of your sofa....See MoreCan this coffee table work in this room?
Comments (14)Thanks for the opportunity to look at your room and think about what I would do. It has been fun. I think the round coffee table will work if it is large enough for everyone seated in the L sofa arrangement to reach it. (Bonus is no barked shins from sharp corners on a square one.) I agree pale colours like yellow won't do much for bringing about a changed more modern look. The room needs more drama and freshness and I think that currently the room has too many colours in the pale range and not enough contrast. I would go for introducing more of the stronger colours in your attractive tribal fabric, including black and white. Black in particular will allow you to really update the look. Consider painting the bookcase or even the doors black. (The existing coffee table would even look good painted glossy black.) Some plump cushions in the tribal fabric and others in a bigger more graphic design in large red and white zigzags or stripes say, would add to a more integrated look. Your bright yellow pot plant holder on the bookcase is another colour in your tribal fabric which would look good in the scheme as a minor accent, say, more pots that colour in a larger size, a big vase/artwork or lampshade. My advice is to stay away from golds and beiges as they relate to older fashions. A large framed in black graphic print on the wall in black and white (or even photo with meaning to you) could be an idea to think about too....See MoreNeed help deciding on coffee & side tables
Comments (12)Thanks so much for your input everyone. Those who had a look at my idea books, unfortunately they are super outdated and a couple of years old. SInce then we have moved and our style has slightly changed. I do think the majority are right in that a coffee table would be too crowded- Vy the tv unit supports the tv as it is not wall mounted. We mounted it but it looked so out of place that we reverted back to the tv unit. I think i will search for a nice side table to place in between the two recliners and leave the space in the middle. The trunk doesnt look great in the middle as its quite a bit higher than the chairs unfortunately! Thanks again for all your input!...See MoreHelp decorate my lounge
Comments (3)I also love the prints, rug and throw that you have. Would you consider an indoor plant? there are some great un-killable plants around...pic for inspiration (I love this style and the pic is oh so similar to what you have already )....See More
KK1000
7 years agoThis tables are from Shack furniture you can put 2-3 together they are mango wood with parquetry top.
Square 80 x 80 x 45 cm ($695)
Small 90 x 70 x 45 cm ($695)
Large 120 x 70 x 45 cm ($795)
John Henson
7 years agoI have very similar styling in my own home and this is a bbq table that I just finished for someone. I am going to change the heights and obviously not have the adjustable legs but build another for my own living room. Any welder with a flat bar roller could make one for you in any style you want. This has been zinc plated in silver but you can have gold or leave gum metal grey and oil it. I've used jarrah but again you could use anything that you like.
strawberry47
7 years agoHi Mirey, I've attached photos of our footstools. I could only photograph 3 as the other is upstairs and heavy! Ours have curved sides which make them sort of lock in together. We've owned them for about 15 years and they are so versatile. Catherine
allanaspree
7 years agoThese two are from Hawthorn Furniture & can be made in any size & the timber of your choice. See www.hawthornfurniture.com.au
M L thanked allanaspree
annb1997
7 years agoSome ideas. First table is 42cm high and second only 30cm. Both are 80(s) cm diameter.
M L thanked annb1997
PROIn-home Design Technologist
7 years agoI like Anna's suggestion, but I think with what you have described, you can go two ways, keep it earthy with the wood and introduce some metal, or you could play on the rug blues and bring in a vibrant ottoman large enough to put feet on as well as a large tray to hold a variety of coffee table treats, such as books, candles, glass frames etc
Good luck, sounds gorgeous!
Adrian Newman
7 years agoI just built this cypress pine outdoor setting and was thinking of making a coffee table out of remaining timber,!would this interest you?
M L thanked Adrian NewmanM L
7 years agoThank you everyone so very much for your responses and advice. I liked the idea of having a bold piece to tie the church in but like a few have mentioned, something simple might be nice to not overshadow the pieces we've collected.
The Nick Cali nesting tables might work quite well, simple but still have the raw wood and we can move them around. I also like the idea of a round table. Annb1997 we actually looked at the carved coffee table, it's super cute and pretty it's a shame that it's just a bit too low to be functional with the sofas. We are probably looking at something around 45 cm in height...but we might still get it anyway and add it into the library nook.
We move at the start of Dec, will post photos :) Here's one of the current owner's layout.
Thank you again everyone you've been amazing!
Gary Hamer Interior Design