Erin, of Apartment 34 has one. So did Morgan, of The Brick House. My dream coffee table.
See it there, behind Erin? Here’s another shot of it, from Morgan.
That’s the one I’ve been searching for, with no luck. The original coffee table that we had (Thomas O’Brien for Target, circa 2005) was fine, but it was getting a little wobbly, and for safety’s sake, we thought it was time to find something new. (Actually, Brandon suggested it, and who am I to argue?)
I kept checking at all the usual places (west elm, CB2, Crate & Barrel, and so on), and I trolled Craigslist and eBay. Every trip to a thrift store had me searching for something that would work, and I wasn’t finding anything I liked well enough. But then I found a lovely long, wooden coffee table at The Renegade Craft Fair that I thought would be good.
Great lines, interesting details, in decent shape. Perfect! I pondered painting the top, but though I like the idea of lightening it up, paint wasn’t going to give me the look I wanted. Too slick. Replacing the top with stone would have been gorgeous, but I don’t think the table would have supported the weight.
Resigned to keeping the top wood (not that it would have been a terrible fate), I started to get used to the look of it, as-is. And I liked it! Not as much as I would with a different top, but it was growing on me. The size, however, was not. It’s about a foot too long, and in a living room that’s only 12’x12′, a foot too long really starts to bother you.
The other day, I noticed that one of the coffee tables I had initially spotted and considered, the Bel-Air, had gone on sale. I had a gift card and some store credit that brought the price down even further, so I bought it. I wasn’t 100% sure, but I figured I’d buy it and try it in the living room to see how I liked it.
Uh huh, I like it. Although I still wonder about getting a travertine top. This one is strong enough to handle it, and it gives it the look of the one I covet so. I made a mockup. What do you think?
Comments
76 responses to “Coffee Table, V3.0”
DO IT.
I think it’ll be gorgeous and bounce around so much light. :)
I think the travertine would look great. It would bring a nice balance to the room. Pretty!
What are your plans for your old table? =) Will I see it on craigslist?
I was thinking the same thing! Shipping to Canada?
I was thinking the same thing- AND I live in the city! :)
We still have the original round table, plus the long rectangular one. I’d like to keep one for the basement and sell the other, but I’m not sure which one yet. Eventually, one will be sold!
I am interested in the rectangular one =)
You don’t understand how much your coffee table posts are perfect for me. I’ve been looking for the perfect round table for 3 years now with no luck. Most of them the diameter is too small. You option is great, great, great!
A good, round coffee table is hard to find! I really like this new one though.
I absolutely love it! The lines and legs of the table really compliment your couch and the circle is much better suited to your other details in the room like your chevron rug. Love!
Yes, round is a much better shape for the room.
Definitely the white!
Any plans to sell the old table? It would be perfect for my huge living room!
you beat me to it! i was going to ask :)
I’ll be selling one of the old tables, but I’m not sure which one yet!
I actually really like both of them! But not living in the room with the wrong size probably makes it easier to like the first one. I am actually leaning toward no stone on the round one. That wood is just so beautiful!
I love the look of the travertine version! A light top and dark legs gets me every time!
Me too.
I like it much more with the travertine top!
Yes!
Wow, my dream coffee table, right there! Congrats!
I love the idea of the travertine top! I, too, think it will bring a nice balance to the room – plus I would think it would be much less susceptible to wear and tear.
That’s what I was thinking. So much more durable.
Loving it, it looks darker on C&B site though. I also love your old one! It’s a very tricky thing to get right, I have yet to find the perfect, affordble coffee table, I’ve only been looking all my life.
Do it!!! It would make it amazing!
looks good! go for it!
love it!
Live with it for a while…see how you feel, but I vote go for it.:)
Love it, I think the round suits the space so much better! One caution on the top. Roan insists on launching himself off our coffee table regularly, I can not stop him. Drives me nuts. Our marble top slides when he does it. As my top is just on a metal frame it doesn’t ruin anything, but would totally scratch up the wood on yours. And our top is super heavy, still moves.
Good to know. I wasn’t sure if we could get away with just resting it on top, or if we’d have to drill through the wood to secure it. Either way, drilling holes or getting scratches from the top sliding, we’d probably have to repair and refinish the top if we ever wanted to reverse the addition of travertine.
WHY are coffee tables the hardest thing? I trolled on Craigslist for four months solid before finding anything I remotely loved (simple, vintage, clean lines). Then TWO popped up on the same day and I had the hardest time deciding. One of them, a glass square on a chrome frame, is currently at home in our family room. Phew. But I still find myself looking. ;-)
Have you thought about using contact paper? They make lots of textures including “stone”
There are some good uses for contact paper, but it’s not what I’m going for with the table. I like the thickness of real stone, and the natural variation and texture.
I do love the vintage round table you’ve been looking for — isn’t that a Lane table?
I’ve also been looking forever for a coffee table. I love the MCM teak or walnut tables, but with small children plus a messy husband, I know I would be constantly be stressing out about whatever they’re putting on it… it would be nice to have a top that’s not wood. Plus many vintage tables are way too big.
I love the idea of a travertine top! That would be fabulous.
What about using Corian it’s density is 1.73 g/cm3 vs. Travertine’s of 2.3 g/ cm3.
I think my heart is set on travertine.
Oh yes! Yes to the travertine’
i love your V2.0, perhaps i’ll stumble across its twin one day and it will be kismet.
Oh, I love that round table! Especially because it is a dead wringer for the 1950’s one in my Grandma’s home. The white stone gives it a more updated vibe, but the shape and lines of the base are perfect.
Oops, that would be “ringer!”
Love the travertine idea. I would definitely go with that, although probably a little less thick than in your mockup. Good luck!
I agree — less thick. I put the top from our old coffee table on top, then stretched it in Photoshop to make it the right length, but it’s a little too chunky.
Oh good. My heart is with the travertine on top, but I was worrying that it would be too thick and make the table too tall.
Yay! I hope you get to do this. It’s a beautiful idea.
jbhat
Oh gosh, this makes me nervous! We have one w/ a travertine top, and while it’s really “cool”, I so want to get rid of it. My son is 4, and I think it’s just too dangerous…he’s been known to stand on it, and bounce on the couch, and the coffee table is HARD and HEAVY. As I right this, I’m kicking myself for not replacing it sooner! OK, I’m going to go look for a wooden coffee table now! (Save the travertine for a few years!)
I’m lost? Did you paint the top of rectangular one to get the look? The round looks great with the white top! Again, how did you do the mock-up? The magic of Photoshop?
Thanks! Love your style!
It’s all Photoshop work for the mockups. (Magic!)
I vote travertine top! You’ve wanted it for so long now, that urge isn’t going anywhere!
Love. Do it.
I actually love the long table. i like how it compliments your couch. but really the round is nice too, i don’t think you can go wrong!
I do think that the round one suits the space and allows for better traffic flow. I think it would look fab with the travertine top! But, it looks too tall in the space compared to the sofa…maybe the picture is just deceiving? The rectangular table has a better height.
My mom has a coffee table with a marble top and as kids we were always playing around it and tripping and knocking our heads. A big coffee table bruise was kind of a rite of passage. Since you have little ones I thought I would mention it. She still has the table and we all lived to tell the tale! I think it is pretty both ways but travertine would be nice (no coasters!)
Yay for the new round table! It’s gorgeous. I’m going to get on the stone top bandwagon, although there’s something lovely and warm about the wood. Either way, with those curved legs it’s a winner.
http://idealsurroundings.blogspot.com/2012/12/adrian-pearsall-jax-travertine-coffee.html#more
A bit late and a bit small, perhaps…
What a great idea, never even thought that would be an option. I’ve been looking for the same sort of thing. Any idea how much a custom piece of travertine would set you back for a table like this? And would you attach it yourself or have the place that cuts the top do it?
Heck yeah! Go for it, I like the legs and frame on this version you bought than the original.
Oh definitely the travertine!! It is so much more interesting and becomes more than just ‘the coffee table’. .
instead of travertine, why not do a glass top, back painted in white/off white . it will give you the light look and durability of stone, but without the cost or damage to the existing top. plus, it’s a lot cheaper and easier to have made.
OMG, that coffee table is amazing. I know the others are mostly voting for yes to the travertine, but I think the wood is really warm and beautiful as is. A classic.
Can you work with a 36″ dia. top if the $ is right? This one from Lincoln Antique Mall looks like its got a gorgeous quality stone and def. priced right to buy “for parts”! Happy holidays, M
http://chicago.craigslist.org/chc/fud/3446131042.html
I have the coffee table that matches your wood side tables. I know because I snatched it from my mom- she had the entire set from my grandparents. Anyhow, it’s similar to this new one, although the legs are more boring. In other woods, ya done good. :)
Definitely go for the travertine top :)
Is this similar to what you’re looking for?
http://www.1stdibs.com/furniture_item_detail.php?id=450703
Yes! I don’t know how I missed it, since I’ve been checking 1st dibs regularly, but I don’t think I could have afforded it anyway over there.
I think a thin layer of travertine on top would be so beautiful!
A subway tile topped table would look great. You could use a white subway tile that would make it bright, not as thick as stone and easy to clean.
I feel like the stone (as shown in the mock-up) is too visually heavy for the dainty legs. I did find this table, which has now been sold, but had a label underneath, may help with your hunt:
http://furnishmevintage.com/livingroom/vintage-mid-century-modern-italian-coffee-side-table/
Great table. And while the top would be more durable in stone, I’m not sold on the safety with kids. I think I’d much rather have my kid trip and fall and hit wood than stone. Just my two cents.
That said, I do agree with you. It’s fantastic looking and with older kids, I’d be right behind you!
It was really a good news for all of us.I am eagerly waiting for that time.Thanks for sharing.Thanks.
Your good, you. :) I like it! I love how you wait for the perfect thing, enjoy the hunt and it is so worth it in the end. I say, go for it!
xo
Melissa
oops, make that “you’re” good. :)
xo
Random (since the post is about the coffee table), but where is that mini globe on the table from? It’s super cute!
Thanks so much for the link love Nicole! Wish I could help you find the coffee table. We scored ours at the Almenda Flea Market in San Francisco. It was the ultimate find! Merry Christmas to you!!
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