Dissecting the fine art of staging
Now that I can see the light at the end of the tunnel with my own living room, I am faced with a challenge that has somewhat eluded me: how to accessorize our coffee table. Perhaps because I am a graphic designer, the 2D applications (consoles, bookshelves, nightstands, dressers) seem to come much easier for me. Once in the round, I tend to overthink it. I’m my own worst enemy. (Not to mention a 2-1/2 year old who wants to grab mommy’s pretty things.)
So I’ve been collecting images as of late, in the hopes that I will be inspired suddenly to set up our own coffee table just right. I know the essentials: books, a tray and/or box, and a few sculptural items/curiosities. Maybe candlesticks or flowers for height. Now how to put it all together…
[ Elizabeth Bauer ]
[ Victoria Thompson ]
[ Betsy Burnham ]
[ Martyn Lawrence-Bullard ]
[ Laurann Claridge ]
[ Daniel Pafford ]
[ Molly Luetkemeyer ]
[ Kelly Wearstler ]
[ Tia Zolden ]
[ Tamara Kaye-Honey ]
[ Kelly Wearstler ]
[ Eddie Ross & Jaithan Kochar ]
[ Adam Braum Straus ]
How have you styled your coffee table? Any tips for me? Post links to your pics!
i did – i wanted a square lucite table – THEN i found THE table – it’s a perfect scare with chrome “X” legs with an industrial look – i’m in love — but there’s a few above i’d DIE literallt DIE to have!
*kiss kiss*
Erika
~Tiptoe Butterfly~
oh, girl, your timing couldn’t be better! these are fabulous! i’m hosting a small shindig this weekend and will be tackling the coffee table tonight….if it works out well, i’ll post pics
Love these coffee tablescapes! It is so hard to get just right, even if you have tons of books and accessories to play with. Can’t wait to see yours!
-e (modern24seven.blogspot.com)
SO many gorgeous tables…I am in search of the “perfect” coffee table. Have yet to find one less than $1000
SO not fair !! Anyways love these all…especially if they are lucite or shiny gold !
xxLily
goldandgray.com
Hey lily I just saw your post about finding a great table thats “shiny gold” Lucite is a hard one you’ll always be spending tons of $$$ on but, I wanted to suggest looking on craigslist in furniture using the search words “brass table”. I re-did my friends my friends and we found a few that really look gold leaf “look” but with a few designer books, flowers, candles you can’t tell.
I.e:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/tac/fuo/2540368616.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/fuo/2535086689.html
hope that helps!
Those are some amazing tabletops! Mine consists of a half dozen issues of Vogue and W Magazines, a candle and my glass of wine
You may have seen my photos already… my coffee table is definitely still in progress so I totally understand your frustration! Thinking about adding a plant or flowers like some of the pictures your shared above. http://hilaryinspired.wordpress.com/2011/07/27/a-simple-tablescape/
I’m in the midst of styling my coffee table as well. Right now our wedding album is the main piece with a few books, but I’m looking for a sculpture of some sort. We have the classic Noguchi coffee table, so not sure what would fit. But I need sparkle! Well, my entire living room is in need of some sparkle. Your images are fantastic inspiration!
Ah, once again….your impeccable style is shown through these amazing selections! I’m loving the Elizabeth Bauer + Laurann Claridge looks the best!
You are brave to even consider staging your table with a toddler. but.. with that said, I have ottomans as a table so I have lacquer trays that I can stage in a pinch when I actually have people over. Otherwise, it’s full of kids books and matchbox cars. Good luck! I love your inspiration.
Oh my!!! I adore the Betsy Burnham one! I’ll take it!
http://bywayofney.blogspot.com/2011/07/monkey-business.html
Love how Tamara propped her cheetah on her table. Maybe I should swap out my vases for my zebra. I currently have two boxes, a candle, magnifying glass and three vases. Sorry, I don’t currently have pictures.
Such beautiful, unique examples! The Eddie Ross one is so pretty!!
These are all absolutely gorgeous! Decisions, decisions! xoxo
I think coffee tables are the toughest to style by far because- unlike many consoles- they get used. I’m about to style a big ottoman coffee table for a client with kids and I really have to think it through. It’s not about it just being pretty, there needs to be space for drinks and nothing kids will destroy. Also- love the look of fresh flowers on a coffee table, but is that really realistic for every day life? I tried a hydrangea plant on mine, but its since died
Hey Erika!
I love the images in your post and I actually think coffee tables are harder to style than other areas like say bookshelves. In fact, I talked about this very topic in a post http://interiordesignmusings.blogspot.com/2011/04/coffee-table-dilemma.html, and think there is a true art to styling a coffee table! M.
Hi!I just wanted to share how I’ve been styling my faux bamboo coffee table. Check out my mirrored tray from target. I’ve dabbled with a lucite one too! but I put a lot of mommys “pretty things” into it and with one nice swoop I take it all away and put it in it’s new home on the dining room table. I always make sure the flowers are in it sitting on top of the magazines so that flowers are my new center piece of my dining room.
Here’s my post:
http://runninginheelswithtwins.blogspot.com/2011/08/faux-bamboo-table.html
Did you ever find a table?
I am also dying to see what coffee table you will end up selecting. I can’t wait to see the finished living room! I posted my meager attempt here:
http://lavitapetite.wordpress.com/2011/08/08/styling-by-lavitapetite/
and just a bit of a disclaimer, I rent…so there is nothing I can do about the g-awful carpet
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