topic Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM in Home

SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Oznell — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:11:35 GMT

I do like a good side table! My three side tables in our sitting room area are: a smallish, Victorian walnut chess top table, a small Eastlake library table hubby received from his aunt, and a clean lined low book case from Vietnam that we got for a song at Marshall's.

My most important reasons for having a side table next to a chair or couch is to hold a lamp, and a coaster! Gotta have my tea.

Studio McGee gave some tips for side tables, like measure them, know what function they will play, try contrasting styles to your other furniture, use non-matching ones in same room, etc. Here are some interesting ones they've used in different houses:

I think this 'mixed media' look in the table nicely picks up the other light and dark elements in room:

I love this chunky, mellow wood one in a moody room.

A side table made of stone is an interesting accent.

Sometimes simplicity is best-- this one is reminiscent of Shaker styles...

I like their idea of going for a metal table here for contrast, but the table itself doesn't grab me-- maybe because it has a lip at the edge, which I don't care for.

This gray oak is elegant-- there's a little detail in the stretcher joinery at the bottom of the legs that is fabulous.

...And there's the little detail below that you can't see in the other picture. So interesting.

Here, they repurposed a weathered, vintage stool as a side table. Love the way antique items enrich a modern interior.

An "X" design is a clean, graphic classic:

This one might be one of my favorites:

The graceful curving metal legs pay tribute to the past, but the combo of the iron and light, cerused wood seems fresh and modern:

There's something about this square, ribbed wood table, next to the chunky, comfy looking arm chair that I like.

Do you have a favorite side table? What do you like to put on it? I'm always tempted to put decor on, in addition to essentials, but try to keep it mostly to something that also has a practical function.

For example, on one occasional table, I have an interesting, carved box, probably from India-- but at least it's hiding my remotes inside....

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

LindaSal — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:17:13 GMT

Interesting styles. I have several different type mission tables from LL Bean. I love them all. I use them for my wine glass, books and usually a flameless candle or some small decor. I really like the stone table in the photos, it looks so nice with the couch.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

froggy — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:49:52 GMT

I love side tables also but most are not functional enough for me. The surface has to have room for a lamp and a coaster. And I love if they have some room for storage or an open shelf beneath for some sort of decor. My favorite side tables now, and I have two, are the ones that have a unit in back with a couple of USB charging outlets and at least one elctrical outlet. The table itself has an electrical cord to plug in behind the sofa or chair. This one has a drawer and also shelf storage behind the door.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

DREAMON — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 13:54:10 GMT

I like interesting and different side tables. I am not a matchy matchy person at all.

We live on the water (Bay)..I have a hand painted Fishing Trunk, stacked suitcases with shipping stickers from the 60's, and a distressed round wicker table from Pier 1.

I like the inside of a home to compliment the outside.

I like most of the tables shown with the exception of the very basic ones.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

CANDLEQUEEN — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 14:36:48 GMT

I love Side Tables as well, but I need for them to be functional too, I need to be able to put things on there, so they can't be too small. We have a very dark wicker chest in our living room, and it is big enough to put things on top, and it is great storage for extras.......

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

wilma — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 17:21:26 GMT

@Oznell

Thanks for posting. Lots of interesting side and end tables out there.

I definitely need a drawer in a bedside table. Most of our furnishings are more traditional so our tables are more traditional too - mostly wood.

Here are my favorites in our house.

ETA: I used to have other things on my tables besides lamps & coasters, but my DH kept knocking them over or off the tables. He hates decorative extra stuff on them, and I didn’t want more things broken so bare tables for me. 🥴

I love our cherry end table in the living room.

I also love our wooden table with “x” design in the finished basement.

I’ve had this table since my first apartment. It’s in our sunroom.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Oznell — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:42:08 GMT

Wow, you all have some pretty neat and ingenious side table solutions, and thanks, @wilma , for posting pictures of your pretty collection-- it really helps to get a visual!

@LindaSal, even with my disclaimer of trying to keep my tables fairly clear, I realize stuff always drifts there and like you, I like to have a candle and books, as well as my "necessary" coasters and lamp...

And (guiltily) glancing over at my side table that has a decorative but functional box for TV remotes, I see that my vintage brass unicorn is perched on top of it... how did he get there, ha....

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

zitawins — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:51:51 GMT

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

zitawins — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:52:58 GMT

I couldn't put the description in my side table photo: it's a Goodwill find at $11.00!

Sorry about the messy room.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

zitawins — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:54:26 GMT

Re: Goodwill find: Can you see our KittyKat hiding on the far right?

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

stevieb — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 17:23:31 GMT

@froggy wrote:
I love side tables also but most are not functional enough for me. The surface has to have room for a lamp and a coaster. And I love if they have some room for storage or an open shelf beneath for some sort of decor. My favorite side tables now, and I have two, are the ones that have a unit in back with a couple of USB charging outlets and at least one elctrical outlet. The table itself has an electrical cord to plug in behind the sofa or chair. This one has a drawer and also shelf storage behind the door.

@froggy I tend to agree with you. For me, side tables need to be more than just a surface. While I do make use of a few garden stools to fill in the gaps, otherwise, a side table needs a shelf, a drawer, doors, something... to make them both attractive and more utilitarian... As for furnishings pictured in the OP, overall, I don't care for the aesthetic employed by this designer. I do sort of like the one table, below, but otherwise pretty much take a pass...

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Patriot3 — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 19:45:51 GMT

I don't care for any of them except the one that @froggy posted.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Oznell — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 21:10:21 GMT

Wow, @zitawins -- thank you also for posting your pictures. That table of yours was an absolute find!! Love unearthing treasures like that at Goodwill. Yes, I think I can see your naughty kitty. Ours love to 'photo bomb' and get in on the action too!

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

froggy — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 22:07:28 GMT

@zitawins wrote:
I couldn't put the description in my side table photo: it's a Goodwill find at $11.00!
Sorry about the messy room.

That's a pretty table but I could never keep a glass top clean!

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Oznell — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 00:53:41 GMT

I find even just the sheer craftsmanship of Studio McGee tables so appealing. Way expensive, true, but they're so well-conceived and executed in a way that's both meticulous, and fresh...

A couple of other dreamy examples that struck me. This one with the exquisite "ribbing" and the crossed 'X' legs is a twist on, and so reminiscent of, antique British campaign furniture :

This one below, both somehow classic and industrial, with the combo of antiqued brass and quartz:

The elegant fluting, and the restraint of the delicate brass drawer pull and the brass leg caps make this such a refined option:

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

ECBG — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 16:55:45 GMT

@Oznell Love the metal table with the vurved legs and the wooden table with the ripples on the side you posted.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

LoveMyBaby — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 18:12:51 GMT

@zitawins wrote:

@zitawins

Love that table. I too, steer from glass top, (been there, done that) but I can definitely see the draw to this one. That would be hard to pass up! Great find and placement for it too. Your room looks very nice.

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

Lilysmom — Sat, 19 Sep 2020 20:22:34 GMT

@Oznell , there are nice tables in the photos. Almost all of my side tables and coffee tables are round or oval. I like the style and I don't get bruised if I bump into them. LM

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

stevieb — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 02:10:32 GMT

This one's not half bad... Attractive and it appears to have a drawer, albeit probably a shallow one, and a shelf, both of which help to make it more useful...

Re: SIDE TABLES IN A ROOM

NYCLatinaMe — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 00:40:55 GMT

@zitawins wrote:

@zitawins love this round table. This was $11? Wow. Very nice.