I often look at coffee tables on these blogs and in magazines and think how much I like the look of them but then the practical me comes out. The part of me, for example, that thinks "just what I need, more stuff to dust."
Today I found myself wondering, though, exactly what is the purpose of a table that is so covered in decorative items that it can't be used? Where, for example, would you set down the book you're currently reading on this table? Or put your feet up if you wanted to stretch out?
And what is the point of a table that is so low and far away that you can't even reach it to set down a drink? If you had company over, they'd all have to be perched on the edge of the sofa so they could reach their beverage. Assuming they weren't sitting on the end where there is no room to set down a beverage.
Do you have a coffee table? Is it something you use or something you have beautifully decorated? And does anyone actually use their coffee table as a place to serve coffee any more? These are the things I think about that keep me from getting the things done that need to be done.
Styled? My coffee table has stuff on it, but I wouldn't call it styled. I have some decorative candle thing, a stack of photo albums and coasters because my kids set drinks down all the time on it when they do sit in the living room. They use the family room, mostly. I think it tends to look bare without anything on it, but I do leave room for it to be used.
ReplyDeleteI can't stand the model homes I see where the 'table' is actually a wooden tray on top of a large ottoman. Who does this??
Our coffee table is round and cheap. The finish is bubbled. We use it for feet and books and drinks. And coloring, hexies, food, cats, piles of crap we had to move to vacuum, the kids sit on it to play xbox. Yours is beautiful and stylish in comparison.
ReplyDeleteMy poor coffee table. It is a catch all. It will never be featured. Anywhere.
ReplyDeleteAnd yeah, I don't quite see the point of a Don't Touch Me Coffee Table!
I love your coffee table! We don't have one right now because we're locked into a debate. I say we can't have the giant ottoman and the coffee table so the ottoman has to go he says there's space for both. When we did have one it had coffee table books and stuff like that on it. Decorative but not so much useful and no coffee unless there's coasters. I think about these kind of things too!
ReplyDeleteWe don't have a coffee table. We had one for years that had glass on top that wasn't glued down. When I had Mouse, I wanted it out of the house. It was in the way anyway. We used the bottom shelf for magazines and the top for our drinks or books we were reading or our feet (I know, shame on us). We put it to good use. I don't miss it now that it's gone. We have end tables for drinks and I like having the open space in the living room. Maybe when Mouse is older we might consider getting another one, but for now it doesn't seem very practical.
ReplyDeleteI'm a firm believer in a house that can be lived in and lived HARD in! We don't have a coffee table, and if we did, it will be covered with stuff that would let you know about all the living we're doing there! :) I love the looks of your "coffee" table. Awesome!
ReplyDeletePracticality wins over style for me. I'm always moving furniture around, but at the moment an old linen chest acts as a coffee table. It's full of travel booklets, maps etc. Books are piled on top, but they can be moved when necessary. The chest can act as an extra seat or it can be turned outwards to use for drinks and snacks if we have guests. In the room where we watch television we have side tables for lamps and drinks. I sometimes think a coffee table in the middle of that room would be useful, but it's not a priority. We make do with what we've got. That basket for carrying some current reads around is a good idea. The Kleenex? Hope you're keeping well.
ReplyDeleteOur coffee table has mail on it - opened and splayed, with a magazine sitting in the pretty decorative bowl that *should* be the only thing there. I'm with you. A coffee table is for using not for looking stylish. Sounds like a meme- let's all show photos of our coffee tables! ha. :)
ReplyDeleteI have one centerpiece for the winter. The coasters are hidden but available for use. Otherwise, I like my furniture as empty as possible. I don't like the dust collectors, and I am trying to teach my kids to pick up after themselves. Having knick-knacks like that on furniture just negates that lesson IMO. I'd love a beautiful coffee table like the one in the blog but I was spend my life obsessing about the arrangements rather than enjoying it.
ReplyDeleteI love your coffee table too--I would love to have something made by a grandfather, great or otherwise! We have a couple of coffee tables made by my husband. One he brought to our marriage that he made before we even met, and one he made after we had been married a few years--the latter has a glass top that covers and inset of corks from wine we consumed and liked the cork. We keep one stocked with books and magazines and newspapers, and the other is swept clean for feet and drinks while we watch TV.
ReplyDeleteWe never had coffee tables when I was growing up for some reason, but I love them now!
See, that's my problem with home decor blogs/pictures. A lot of it is very beautiful but also very non-functional. I like to keep my coffee table mostly empty (we have something in the middle because our table is big and nobody ever gets to the middle). But other than that, I like to keep things minimal. I don't like it when there is anything on thr table, because when it's time to dust, there are so many things to move around.
ReplyDeleteWe don't have one. We gave it up when our kids were toddlers because it just ended up being covered with toys. If I tried putting nice things on it they were treated like toys, lol. Our youngest will be 15 soon. It might be time to trust them with nice things again? ;)
ReplyDeleteYour last comment made me laugh out loud. Right now our coffee table has Elle's capri-sun and a sippy cup. And a piece of chalk from the art set. I'm with you on the dusting--everytime I think about actually decorating the house I just think about how much more difficult it will be to dust (when I actually do dust). Sometimes Scott keeps his magazines on the coffee table (though we have a table between our two couches that has a vase, a picture, the remotes, and a stack of magazines.
ReplyDelete