Coffee table conundrum

A reader wrote in wondering what to do for a coffee table and has a couple requirements - she doesn't want 2 smaller tables and her other half doesn't want glass. I've been in the same predicament for several months now, and can't seem to find anything suitable, although I will probably go for glass or acrylic since my room is so small. I think coffee tables are a perfect place to add a little bit of the unexpected - a bit of colour, a different style to the rest of the space, a bit of quirkiness....you can really do anything. Since our reader already has a blend of styles in her living room - a sofa (contemporary casual - Crate and Barrel-like), chairs (modern), side table (antique mahogany parlor table), and lamp (Tiffany-style), then why not spice things up? I am loving Moroccan tea tables at the moment as a great way to inject a little bit of ethnicity. Or perhaps something Asian flavoured? Below are a wide range of styles for some ideas.

Lynn Morgan	Sköna hem
Sköna hem	Ted Yarwood
Jack Levy	Rebecca Bradley
Jay Jeffers	Country Home
Jeff Herron	Gaelle Le Boulicaut
Domino	Domino
Fotene Design	Location Works
Andrea Larsson	Aero Studios
Robert Stilin	Urban Spaces
Cabinet Jean Louis Deniot	Homes & Gardens

Amanda McLauchlan

I wanted to wax lyrical about Australian photographer Amanda McLauchlan's work but I found I couldn't write it better than what was already on her website. "Her images are crafted using natural light and evoke the virtues of her soul; quiet and serene, modern and simple. Passion is reality for Amanda." A truly beautiful portfolio. Don't miss her travel and food books.

Images from Amanda McLauchlan Photography

Houses and things

I found a fabulous book Cose & Case, Forme,colori,oggetti, nell'arredamento. Robin Guild, Euroclub Italia S.p.A.,Bergamo, 1980. Edizione Italiana. So houses and things in a book with copious Italian text but thankfully also with lots and lots of lovely retro rooms. Early 80s here and I couldn't be more excited. You have been warned it's the next big thing in retro decorating. Ah .... knotty pine, pastels and beige back in our lives again.

A retro renovation

Pam of Retro Renovation wrote the other day about a blast-from-the-past mid-century modern home she posted and I loved it so much I decided to post it today instead of doing my typical Flickr finds.

This 1962 home is owned by Greg McKinney and is located in Granada Hills, California. Like Pam, I really like the use of grasscloth on the walls, pops of orange throughout the spaces and the incredible vintage lighting. What a fabulous job you've done Greg! And thanks Pam for sharing this with us!

Winter at Jo's place

I'd love some antique famille rose Chinese pots for my patio area but it ain't gonna happen on my budget. Thought I'd cheer up the space with some teapots and teacups from Chinatown instead. It's still winter here (if you can call 23° Celsius winter) so by spring my little plants should be green and lush. And the dump truck? I couldn't resist a 50c rusty truck from a garage sale around the corner to hold a few transplanted daffodils. When they're out I'll move it onto my kitchen counter for some fun. Can you believe it's mid winter here and the daffodils are almost out? I love the subtropics!