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Thursday, January 5, 2012

Contemplating Coffee Tables

In the last week, I've decided that I need to make a few revisions 'round this apartment. Perhaps it comes with the territory of the new year, but I'm planning some rearranging in the near future. Swapping things around won't exactly placate the need for some freshness and change though, so I know what I need to do:

2012 must-do #1:
Get a new coffee table, stat

Here's what I'm currently working with:
My mid-century table isn't terrible, and I like its height because we eat dinner at this table more often than not (just keepin' it real). Yet, I'm desperate need to banish some of the wood tones in the living room and would love to introduce some glass, some brass and/or some marble in its place.

The simplistic lines of Jenna Lyons' vintage Knoll coffee table as well as its substantial size are just what I'm looking for:
(via Casa Sugar)
and I definitely want a table with sufficient surface area for displaying books, like Jordan Ferney's:

At this juncture I'm gathering inspiration and opinions; but if money were no object, I'd have a tough time deciding between these pretty (and pretty pricey) options:

(Harvey Probber travertine coffee table via 1st Dibs, $3,800)
(Origami coffee table via Anthropologie, $1,300)

(French brass hoof cocktail table via 1st Dibs, $4,450)

(Two-tier coffee table via 1st Dibs, $1,980)

(Two-tier brass coffee table via Ebay, $595)

Ideal characteristics of my new coffee table:
--glass
--brass
--marble
--sizeable

Do you have any great options that meet this criteria?
Opinions are welcome!

14 comments:

  1. Bryn had a good Ikea Klubbo hack, if you spray paint the legs gold it looks a bit like your first option (sadly its not marble, but its long and low and inexpensive).

    http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/2011/12/ikea-klubbo-hacks.html

    I see tons of those glass and brass tables on craigslist.

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  2. auctions!

    But with the sectional, do you really have room to get that much bigger?

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  3. I was going to say the same thing as Naomi. I'm not sure how much room you'll have for a more substantial rectangular table with your current sectional (but it's hard to tell your overall space from that particular photo). Have you ever thought of a round option (I've heard they're good with sectionals) or a square option maybe (more surface area to play with for books, etc.). I love my Craigslist brass and glass rectangular coffee table but I will tell you, it's not wide enough for two rows of books, etc. so I have some difficulty styling. Good luck with your search - I know with all your thrifting and Craigslist searching you will find the perfect option!

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  4. I just did a post about coffee tables, and I love the way that you have styled your current find. I just upgraded my own coffee table to a round brass and glass thing and I'm really happy I did....

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  5. I'm drawn to brass/glass tables, too. I want a side table or two in that vein.

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  6. I am in need of some serious coffee table refurbishing. Mine is wood however :/ so I am going to have to deal with that.

    Champagne Lifestyle on a Beer Budget

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  7. I would suggest craigslist, and if you can be patient, hit up some of your local thrift stores. I also seem to recall that Nate Berkus had a brass and glass rectangular cocktail table on HSN that was fab! That was a while ago, though....

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  8. Really like your idea to introduce brass with glass or stone. I found my brass/glass coffee table for $5 at an estate sale, just needed replacement glass. Estate sales may be the way to go as alot of people had these in the 60's and 70s.

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  9. Have you seen the ikea hack in the blog world lately? I was just at ikea and saw the table and the quality is actually really nice. Then you could spray paint the chrome legs gold or brass?

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  10. I just looked for the link...
    http://brynalexandra.blogspot.com/2011/12/ikea-klubbo-hacks.html

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  11. Love the first one, but $3800--yikes! I'm sure you'll come up with a fantastic alternative. xo

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  12. I REALLY like all of your choices. Why does furniture have to be so expensive? Loving that Ikea hack that Lisa gave the link for.

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  13. Germantown Estate date? Feel like I've seen a lot of chrome there more recently.

    Trolley House has this guy: http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/fud/2720642100.html
    Feel like it could be worked with

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  14. Funny, i was thinking about that Klubbo hack too. So unoriginal of me.

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I'd love to hear your thoughts!