apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

For some reason a round coffee table was just calling out to me here. It would nicely balance the squareness of everything else in the room. Cute couch!

What is that FLOR color mix? I love it.

I agree with jessimarie. There's a lot of squares in that picture. Round would make it look a little softer. But then again, that square option above is really nice.

Also, I demand more pictures of Bacon.

I don't understand your comment about the height of the seat and the height of the table - Coffee tables should be about the same height as the seat, or even a bit higher, so a 16" -18" high table would be perfect - much lower and your guests have to bend over much too far to place a drink.

Since everything is so square in there (sofa, windows, rug, etc.) I'd choose something round, kidney shaped or a rounded triangle:

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=20136&category=rm_living_spaces&subcategory=cocktail_table

http://www.coffeetablesandendtables.com/Sitcom-Tiber-Collection-Coffee-Table-TIB101.htm

http://www.coffeetablesandendtables.com/Sitcom-Archer-Collection-Coffee-Table-with-Tempered-Glass-Table-Top-ARC101.htm

http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=20251&category=rm_living_spaces&subcategory=cocktail_table

http://www.coffeetablesgalore.com/coffee-tables/round/bernhardtseattleroundcocktailtable.cfm

http://www.coffeetablesgalore.com/coffee-tables/round/munichcoffeetable.cfm

http://www.coffeetablesgalore.com/coffee-tables/round/bernhardtsohoroundcocktailtable.cfm

There was even a cool DIY on HGTV yesterday about how to make your own 70's-style faux-driftwood coffee table using a couple layers of plywood, a jigsaw, a torch, some marine varnish and acrylic to make a clear x-base.

Or a large square ottoman with lovely lacquered trays to hold drinks. Completely flexible and available for extra seating/leg lounging or whatever.
~k

I'd like to see three cubes, arranged in an L shape.

Round!

http://www.heywood-wakefield.com/detail.cgi?m306g?tables

Actually I think a large oval table would be best. I know it wasn't one of the choices but it should have been.

I feel a low oval table would offset all of the rigid square and rectangular shapes in the room.

Also think about getting some oval pillows to place on the couch to echo the shape of your new oval table! My vote?

OVAL!

Well, "round" is the correct interior decoration answer, to offset the angles in the furniture. (Candace Olsen would say round.) But living with a sectional, albeit a different one, pragmatically I want a surface as nearby as possible, and round makes the corner seat quite far away from the table. So I vote square. As for height, find something to represent your target height/s and test the height for comfort. (Even if it's a stack of books or something -- create a 16 inch high or whatever surface place it 18 inches from the sofa, and see what it feels like to put mugs or glasses down on it. If the stretch is uncomfortable, consider different options.)

Round. Definitely.

I agree that you need a bit of a curve to go with all your squared stuff, but I think that you might need a larger circumference on the table -- look sort of small for such a large sitting area.

This is the elliptical table I have been dreaming about

http://members.shaw.ca/lunarlounge/ELIPTIKAL%20SALE%20JAN.html

But this site also sells just the hairpin legs, so you could make a table in whatever shape you want, then when your tired, make a new shape!

Round, definitely. Almost everything is right angles in your current space, including your FLOR tiles! A big, round coffee table would make things more relaxed and visually interesting.

Bacon is so yummy. Can I please have him?

First, why did you change the flooring? I'd loose the Stampede and go back to the Poodle. Then I'd buy Platner, large, with a white marble top:

http://hivemodern.com/products/?view=sub_product&sid=2484&cid=&cid2=

But since I don't have control of your living room, you should buy the Strut Square.

I would do a round glass table. That way you get the roundness but it would still let light pass through it so it wouldn't be as in your face. :)

I would say take the plunge though. I think a square table will be too hard with the square carpet (which I love btw...do share where you found it) and the sectional.

Let us know what you end up doing!

Square would be most reachable from all points on the sectional. I don't feel like there is too much square stuff in the room, it just looks clean and simple. If you do want to add some curve, use a large globe for lighting or add some more organic shapes when you accessorize the coffee table.

Kind of off topic but I don't suppose your looking to sell your old Flor tiles are you?

Ultimately, this decision belongs to Bacon.

Not crazy about either of the Blu Dots, but I vote for round

I was going to suggest this
http://cgi.ebay.com/Edward-Wormley-DUNBAR-round-marble-coffee-table_W0QQitemZ270338260197QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAntiques_Furniture?hash=item270338260197&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116
not exactly a bargain, but.....

i personally like the square (especailly how the strut looks in that comp). the fit is indeed perfect, and, from what I can tell, how you treat the rest of the room will keep it from being too square and "rigid" perhaps some round side tables...or, assuming the mag table becomes a side table. or, perhaps counter the more rectilinear lines of the sofa and table with an arco-like light (or the mega tolomeo) swooping overhead...

While round is the correct designer choice, I'd also suggest a rectangle with two small nesting squares underneath that can be pulled out to run the space or only when needed. Maybe something like this:

http://www.potterybarn.com/products/p11730/index.cfm?pkey=ccoffee-tables

I'm thinking I've seen something similar with rounds, but can't recall where.

I'd go for round to balance all the edges and lines that dominate the space.

I really love your living room, by the way!

I've got to give my vote for square. I actually think it would be better visually, for flow. We have a square L sectional with a square coffee table and it just looks "right."

I like the idea of square (and the idea of the flor tiles; why did you lose them?). There's something to be said for roundness to break up the space, but everything else in the room is so aggressively square that I think the square table would emphasize the aesthetic and turn 'blocky modern' from cliche into interesting design choice. Use round accent pillows in bright colors on the couch to break up the look a little bit, if that's what you're going for.

I'd go with a long oval, like the surfboard-shaped coffee tables. Those seem to be set low, as well.

Elevated round!

Bacon looks very disapproving today...

I must admit that I am way more interested in Bacon than in the coffee table....

Been lurking for a while; thought I'd finally post, so here goes...

I've never been a fan of coffee tables. They always conjure up images of my grandmothers' stuffy, off-limits living rooms vs. their "dens", where people actually lived. Add to that to my numerous bruised shins from my parents' coffee table, and I'm firmly in the ottoman or lightweight stool/small table camp. Plus when used regularly, I've found that they often attract clutter. The fewer surfaces I have to put papers on, the better.

What purpose would you like your coffee table to serve? Are you sitting on the floor to use your MacBook and looking for a big workspace, or is it primarily a place for drinks when you're lounging or entertaining? If the former, then I *guess* I'd go with a round table to counterbalance the lines of Bonnie & Clyde. Otherwise, another mag table or a small ottoman combined with a serving tray could easily meet your needs - and Bacon could keep his play space.

Btw, please count me among the Toy Poodle supporters.

NEITHER! I suggest a totally organic shape, like the Noguchi table: http://www.dwr.com/product/classics/noguchi-table.do

Gorgeous!

i'd have to cast my vote for the oval or kidney shaped table. something that is essentially rectangular in shape will be accessible from many points on the sofa, but the rounded, curvy edges won't lead to an overly sharp contrast. (i find both perfectly round and perfectly square a little jarring; the couch is so geometrical that something a bit funky would be perfect.)

I vote for neither as well. The square seems to fit perfectly and be the most practical in terms of offering access to the most people seated on the sectional. However, I do agree you need some softness and curve to balance the hard angles. So, I vote oval, kidney, more soft triangularish like the noguchi...something with curves but that would offer more access than a round.

Love your room, though! Have fun with your decision!

i'm with FiatLex - that round HW table would be perfect

I have a square table with my sectional right now and it's a pain to have to walk around the edges to get to the table. Go round!!