Sunday, August 23, 2009

The Coffee Table

Named for the beverage introduced in the Early seventeenth century, the coffee table has become "habit forming".
Reputed to be the only piece of furniture invented in the twentieth century, the coffee table is perhaps the most versatile.

It stands ready to hold drinks, books, plants, as well as coffee. Though it's name may imply a specific purpose, the variations are unlimited. So tell me, what's on your coffee table right now?


21 comments:

  1. Fun question :)

    I'm a minimalist so most of the time the only thing on my coffee table is a candelabra. Right now though there is an IKEA mag, a Field & Stream mag, and my bra (I flung it at the coffee table last night during a movie). Can you tell I don't have kids? :)

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  2. Books, lots and lots of books. Oh, and a tea caddy and a decorative bowl. Can you believe I did not have a coffee table in my family room for the first 15 years I lived in this house! Crazy, huh?! :-)
    Hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
    Susan

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  3. As on Susan's coffeetable, there are also a lot of books! And coffee cups and cookies for my dog!
    As a decorator, searching the right (and beautiful) coffee table for my clients, is one of the most difficult pieces of furniture to find!

    Greet

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  4. My ottoman has to double as a coffee table - we add a tray when we actually use it for company -- at the moment it's covered with the towel for the dog who occupies it along with our feet when it's just the two of us!

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  5. My coffee table in the living room is pretty spare right now {because I'm selling I'm trying to keep it neat}, but I do have a green cabbagey/rabbit bowl in the middle of my square coffee table. I also just got several of my decorating magazines this week and I put them there for the time being, so I remember to look at them.

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  6. 1. A huge shell

    2. A clear deep glass bowl filled with shells I have collected

    3. An ancient brass candle stick I found in London in the late 70's

    4. John Irving book I am reading

    5. New Elle magazine

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  7. We also use an ottoman. Replaced our coffee table with it when we had a baby -- had to replace a few potentially unsafe pieces of furniture, actually. It currently has a few children's books, a hairbrush, a thumbelina doll and a sippy cup on it.

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  8. Books, bills, some newspapers and magazines. No room for coffee!

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  9. Well my coffee table is a big ottoman and I have a wicker/wire tray on it filled with decorating magazines to grab when I get to curl up on the sofa.

    LeAnn

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  10. I actually use an antique map table for my coffee table. On top of the table right now, you will find de kooning: An American Master (my latest read), two Mad Men DVD's, Insight Guides Peru (for an upcoming trip), my cell phone, the remote, and some fab faux alligator coasters.

    Fun post!

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  11. You really don't want to know! I try so hard to keep it tidy but over a weekend it becomes the dumping ground for newspapers, magazines, clothes mending, hair clips that have been removed during TV watching. I can't wait for them all to get out of the house so I can put it bakc in order. One Bauhaus book and a couple of magazines, remotes in the drawer and give it a polish.

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  12. Right now a couple kitchen idea books and a magazine:0)....it usually has a lot more stuff on it ,but I just cleaned it up a lil. lol

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  13. Hehe.....you are not going to believe me but there is absolutely nothing CAUSE...there is no top on my coffee table right now.

    I recently inherited a marble top one but as its base requires repair; it presently sits in my living room butt-naked. (Better IT, than me sitting there with no top on.... or naked..... wudn't you say.)

    Sorry, I wud like to play more 'catch-up' but my finger is not quite healed yet. Promise though I will hopefully in a couple of days. GREAT POST!
    (Lynda FYI, the diamondS are fine darlin!) Hugs to the both of you.
    -Brenda-

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  14. Thanks everyone for playing the "What's on your Coffee Table" game. As for mine, I have one basket, filled with books and reading glasses on top...I know boring, but I can not stand clutter unless it is in my closet or laundry room...lol

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  15. Let's see, a stack of Design Books (among them Nina Campbell thanks to YOU), on top of the stack of books is a mercury glass bowl filled with Granny Smith apples, next to that is a hurricane lantern and a fern.

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  16. A couple of stacks of design books, a basket for magazines and remotes, a bronze footed bowl filled with blue and white porcelain carpet balls (plus one red one) and a small round amber glass vase filled with pale yellow alstroemeria. Oh and a tall glass of peach iced tea that follows me wherever I go! (and it's NOT clutter! it's cozy!!)

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  17. Psst...
    There is a blog award for you on my blog:

    http://talesofwhimsy.blogspot.com/2009/08/you-rock.html

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  18. Hi, my coffee table is a large ottoman. It has a large tray on it and that has two candle holders and a small frame on a book. As well as a small rope and fauxe leather case on the tray. I love a coffee table that I can put my feet on, something casual. Great post. hugs, Cindy S

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  19. Hey girl friend, I am so upset that Twizz could not leave me a note, I have no idea why?!?!? Do you know,I am still computer dumb,but if I can fix something I will,tell her please I am sorry and maybe try again,I would so love to hear from her!! Talk to you soon, have a great week!!!

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