I bought a new coffee table. Technically, it’s a bench but the proportions were right. Our previous coffee table was almost five years old. It was West Elm and I found it at a Pottery Barn outlet for $40. It was originally red but, for the price, I primed and painted it white. It worked really well in our previous living room but it was too high, too round and too chunky for our current living room. I envisioned something longer, lower and narrower. I bought the bench/coffee table from Overstock although it looks like it’s currently out of stock and they’ve raised the price. I used a coupon and paid $171.58 total for it two weeks ago. The dimensions are working out perfectly and I’ve been having fun styling it.
With the help of Target and their new Threshold collection, I’ve put together three different coffee table looks for you. I took Mabrey shopping while the boys were in school one morning in search of tabletop accessories and, boy, did I find them. Candles, vases, figurines, bowls, hurricanes…you name it. You guys, Target is killing it right now. And that’s why I agreed to work with them. Everything I’m about to show you are things that would be on my personal wish list even if I wasn’t partnering with them.
Without further ado, look #1. POPPY & GRAPHIC
This is probably the “springiest” look. It’s a combination of graphic patterns, red-orange pops of color, gold and wood.
At one end of the table is a stack of colorful books, a pair of single stem vases, a gold dipped bowl and a small matte white bowl painted chartreuse on the inside.
At the other end of the table I put down the marble pastry board I introduced to you here. I topped it with a third single stem vase, a brass hurricane, a black and white canister and a chevron wood box.
I tossed a white pillow with gold embossed edges on the chair and added a punchy patterned pillow with sequins and now they are planning their wedding.
I stole a graphic black and white pillow from the boys’ room for the leather couch.
Cheerful?
A bright red-orange candle brings color to the marble slab vignette. And it smells uh-maaaaaazing. Melon-y.
I can’t get enough of the brass hurricane/lantern and wood box.
Shop the look: dipped bowl / lattice canister / chevron box / brass hurricane / embossed pillow / dot stripe pillow
For look #2 I kept a few of my favorites {the lantern and wood box} on the table and brought in other items. WORLDLY & ECLECTIC {a.k.a. PUT ME IN THE ZOO}
This look is more masculine with ethnic-inspired patterns, animal figurines, brass, wood tones and a little quirk.
I grouped a yarn wrapped gazelle figurine, the same brass lantern {this time with a neutral, less aromatic candle} and a pierced tin hurricane.
Near the middle of the table is a hand painted wood bowl and a thrifted wood sculpture. To achieve a “lived in” look I threw in an open magazine, fresh greenery, a small bowl of cashews and cloth napkins.
The other end of the table holds books, gold animal figurines and another snack bowl filled with cashews.
There is a diamond patterned pillow and sheepskin on the chair.
I threw down a chevron runner under the table. The same embroidered pillow from look #1 is on the sofa along with a Nate Berkus gold mesh & tweed pillow. Of all the pillows shown today, the gold + tweed is my favorite. I love you Nate.
Can you see how the seat of the leather sofa is starting to patina and wrinkle? I love it. Good leather only gets better with age.
The painted detailing on the wood bowl is an art form. Of all the non-pillow pieces I selected, this bowl is my absolute favorite.
The gold rhino and elephant are pure fun. Everett asked me if rhinos and elephants eat cashews. It does look like I’m feeding them cashews out of a fancy trough, no?
Shop the look: yarn wrapped gazelle / brass hurricane / silver lattice hurricane / wood bowl / snack bowls / brass animals / diamond pillow / gold & tweed pillow
Finally, for look #3, I decided to go au naturel. NEUTRAL & LOVELY
This look is casual and effortless. It’s all about matte whites, warm wood tones, piles of books & magazines and glowing candles.
On one end of the table I brought in a white serving platter and topped it with a natural wood vase, two curvy white vases and a silver tea light holder. I cut a few crape myrtle branches {from the store…still no sign of spring!} and stuck them in the vases.
In the middle of the table is a stack of my favorite home design books. The gold & wood box makes another appearance in this look alongside a ceramic tea light holder.
I brought back the marble board and used it as a casual serving tray. I filled a chip and dip server with salsa and tortilla chips. A squatty candle and stemless wine glasses round out the tray. Chips and salsa go with wine, right? I consume them together all the time. YUM.
Our new coffee table has a large open space under it. Here, I slid in a woven basket and a stack of glossies for my reading pleasure. I could get used to having stuff under the table.
On the couch is a simple striped pillow and sheepskin.
When I was trimming the crape myrtle, I thought the fallen leaves looked pretty on the white tray. So I left them.
The tea light holder has a super functional design. The silver top and suspended candle holder are all one piece that lifts up and out of the glass surround. It’s easy to set a tea light in, light it and then drop it into the glass surround. So cool. I think it looks like the tea light is sitting on a swing.
The cutouts on the ceramic vase make for a spectacular light show.
I have to fuss over the squatty candle for a minute. I’ve been around the candle block a few times over the years, ifyaknowwhatImean. I’m a bit of a candle whore. If it smells good, I’ll give it a go. But this candle? It has three wood wicks. Say what? Wood wicks. And, get this, they CRACKLE when they burn. It’s like a mini wood burning fireplace right on top of the coffee table. A mini-crackling-wood-burning-fireplace-that-smells-like-vanilla-dolce heaven. You guys. I could live off of this salsa/chips/server/wine/crackling candle vignette for the rest of my life and be very happy.
Shop the look: wood vase / silver tea light holder / chevron box / chip and dip server / wood wick candle
I tried sourcing the tabletop accessories as best I could with links. Most of them hail from Target but not all of them are listed online.
It’s worth mentioning…these three coffee table looks in their entirety don’t scream “kid-friendly!” With young children in my house, I couldn’t get away with glass vases, burning candles and red wine in the living room so I won’t be keeping all of the items shown. {Did you really think I get to keep all this amazing loot?!} But styling the table full on for adult entertaining {not to be confused with adult entertainment, ahem} or even an in-house date night with HH after the kids are in bed is totally feasible. And fun. Give it a try! Maybe invest in a few new tabletop accessories to work with pieces you already own. You could easily give your coffee table a fresh facelift for less than $50. To make it easy, I rounded up a few kid-friendly options that will be staying at our rowdy house. Pssst. Many of these items are on clearance in my neck of the woods. Check your local Target store for pricing.
So, tell me, which look is your favorite? I think we all know I’m a sucka for #3.
This post brought to you by Threshold, a Target collection. The Threshold collection focuses on specialized design techniques including hand-painted accents and artisanal touches to make each piece unique yet affordable. What differentiates Target’s new Threshold collection is its unprecedented style coupled with its high quality and affordability. Thank you Tar-jay!
images: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking & Target, linked within
budget decor, DIY, inspiration, interior design, kid-friendly