We clipped the image above from the latest issue of Martha Stewart Living. To us, it's an ideal bedroom: clean, calm, and simple. The part of the photo we love the most is the bedside table, a classic item that's balanced form has survived the test of time...
Designed by Florence Knoll in 1961, these low side tables look as fresh today as they did then. Knoll believed in "total design": the concept that both manufacturers and designers should consider all the elements of a space, and the way they relate to one another. Her simple, geometric tables fit in well with uncluttered modern decor. These low side tables start around $500 and come in a variety of finishes: glass, wood, marble, and granite.
Available from Knoll Studio.
The April 2008 issue of Martha Stewart Living is on stands now.
The Ultimate Used Furniture Cleaning Kit
Ana Creates a Community at Home
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Z2 iPod Dock and Wi...
Soda Recipe: Homemade Ginger Ale
Recipe: Spring Fruit and Nut Tabouli
Sure, simple tables look nice next to the bed with a lamp and small artfully stacked pile of books...
...but where do folks keep their tissues/eyeglasses/bookmarks/shoehorns and other *ahem* "bedroom necessities"?
Give me a table with a nice deep drawer - preferably two!
I have to second bepsf. We have Saarinen tulip end tables as nightstands and they look incredible in the space but we do miss having a drawer to hide things.
Yeah, just where does one hide the body chocolate? Guess you have to use it all in one shot and then throw awaay the jar?!
lol, you guys are too funny. :-)
Just buy underbed storage bins and store your 32 oz bottle of Eros and "picture magazines" in there.
I think this is good motivation to keep the bedside simple and to-the-point, whatever that point is. I don't have drawers and find that it makes life a teensy bit easier, which is nice in the context of a bedroom. I love the clean lines of this; go Florence!
these are perfect. i love the clean lines especially in the bedroom where i think they're needed most. unfortunately, i don't love the idea of paying $500. i'd be perfectly happy with a cheap knockoff if only i could find one.
You put the body chocolate in the top drawer of the dresser or in a drawer in the closet...
I don't have drawers in my crappy bedside table and I make do with a pretty box on said crappy table in which I store the "essentials." The pretty box makes the table bearable. I am looking desperately for nice tables though.
as far as cheap knowck-offs go, aren't these very similar to the cb2 tables? though chrome, not black:
http://www.cb2.com/family.aspx?c=114&f=3441&viewall=1
also, room and board has their bases on sale, you could buy one and have a local place cut marble/wood/etc to fit:
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/collection.do?method=get&id=377368&cat=6
I have a white Kartell Componibili three tier storage on one side, and a white 60's Hille table on the other side (Tulip style).
The Hille table has enough space for the clock, books etc.
The Kartell effectively hides my hand cream, lip salve etc !
I have slept in this bed! It's a delightful guest room, so no real need for storage.
Does anyone know where that bed frame is from?