Last month I had the pleasure of going to a lovely show house in Westchester county, New York. This was a 17,000 square foot spec home in Purchase . The ample floor plan served as an impressive showcase for many New York designers. Each room was tastefully decorated and well appointed. What jumped out at me in every room were the unusual and varied shapes of end tables and benches. Often, these small items are hidden in the context of a room and trumped by upholstery and accessories.... not this time! Each room was punctuated by shiny, furry, funny, sexy, and textural shapes. Hope you enjoy looking at these as much as i did, here goes!
This pierced ceramic table works well with the curves of the chair as well as the textured upholstery. below is a close up, just love all the dots.
Notice how this designer uses two tables beside the bed. The organic carved wood pieces, reminiscent of a Brancusi sculpture, are extremely functional and work well with the minimalist lines of the bedding.
How about fur? soft and sensual, this adds a sumptuous quality to this woman's study.
Paired with a high back upholstered chair, this floccati bench adds whimsy to this living room. the long fibers accentuate not only the lines of the piece but work as a nice contrast to the geometry of the rug.
Suede was also a favorite for not only benches, but console tables as well. The addition of nail head trim at the base of the table is a great touch. In addition, notice the mitered top on the benches. The application of fabric as well as contrast trims on a piece of upholstery make interesting details.
Glass always reflects sunlight and is an important "texture" in any room. It will add function and at the same time will not add volume. What is also worth pointing out here is how the circular composition of the table echoes the circular arm of the chair.
What is interesting to note about this next table is the way it is paired with a floor lamp. This is a similar to the bedding with the use of two tables, and why not? The scale of the chair allowed the designer to mix shapes without overpowering the upholstery, I promise not to cut off feet next time! I just love the playfulness of this vignette.
This last table is one of my favorites. What is interesting to note is that the side of the sofa acts as a backdrop . The two tiers are wonderfully designed. The opportunity exists to use the top tier for a lamp or vase and the bottom tier for accessories. This is a good table to use near an entrance where you might see the side of the sofa first, you've got lots to look at!
I hope you've enjoyed looking at these and that it gives you some good ideas. Some of the best tables can be found at flea markets. You may also find a great bench at a flea market and opt to cover it with fur. Some cool websites to check out are www.chiasso.com, www.westelm.com and www.designwithinreach.com. HAVE A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
