This could be one of those things that needs to be styled in a room before we start dumping on it. That being said, plopping this table on a white background could be an unfair representation of how much potential the LL Bean Canoe Coffee Table has. Maybe in the hands of the right decorator, in the right room, and with the right accompanying furniture; we could be gushing over it and declaring it genius. It could happen.
So, we're going to ponder on this one and try to come up with a solution. Why? Well, partly because we're curious to see if it can be done...and partly because our neighbor unloaded this very table on us in the spirit of Christmas giving. (They got it from a distant relative as a housewarming present three years too late. And yes, they tried to return it, but the tags were off). Anyone want to take a stab at envisioning a great place for it? We're still stuck on the canoe part...plaid throw blankets and braided rugs also keep parading around in our heads.
We're giving this table a fighting chance before we either re-gift it or donate it to Goodwill. Or hey! Maybe we'll feature it in next week's Scavenger...
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Comments (30)
Ahh, no comment, lmao
On second thought, I think it should have a Viking burial.
Move to Vermont or Maine and bring the coffee table with you. It doesn't work in California.
Don't think "canoe" ... or "coffee table"! Put under a window and put plants on it.
step 1: remove canoe from base
step 2: turn on side
step 3: screw in to base create an almost diorama presentation of the canoe
step 4: fill with something colorful, or with photos
step 5: decorate room minimally with wood, and fresh colors such as blues, greens, whites.
Because IMO, it's the stand that makes it so bad, the actual canoe has some very interesting wood detailing, and would be best suited to art in an airy (not log cabin) way.
ditch the legs, paint canoe to look vintage, mount on the wall, remove glass, and fit out inside with curio shelves. (must be done with good eye, else looks beachhousey, but it can be done)
put eyehooks on each end, suspend from ceiling with steel cable, fill with books. or suspend at table height in a place you would otherwise use a console table, painted bold graphic colors.
ask thirteen year-olds out on corner to graffiti the crap out of it, then mount over couch or bed headboard like art.
whatever you do, that's a thousand dollar (!) table, so get something out of it.
Personally, I think it's really cute. Especially in a neutral home, maybe with some a modern nautical theme. Can't you see it: creme couch, light aqua walls, hardwood floors, creme flokati rug, canoe table. I think it's do able.
Put it on ebay or craigslist and let someone who'll enjoy it buy it. Lindsey K. is right - these go for 1K on LLBean's website; someone out there would be thrilled to have it.
1. Remove glass
2. Remove legs
3. Patch Holes
4. Buy Paddles
5. Buy Roof Rack
6. Drive to Lake
7. Canoe
Oh!
and buy life vests :P
Who the heck would see this and think "I've got to get that for someone I hardly know!" when they have no idea if they'd like it or not...that's what's so crazy about this!
carder, awesome suggestion.
Maybe take off the glass top and use it as a planter? Would look quite nice outdoors, I would think...
Take off the glass top, get a bunch of GI Joe dolls and dress them in pirate outfits or bits of sheepskin or whatever, set them on the little slats and stage an epic sea adventure with lots of cheesy special effects (attack of giant plastic jellyfish?), record it on your digital camera and post the video to YouTube.
or sell it on eBay.
What was that movie? Must Love Dogs?
I find it strange that the neighbor couldn't return this to L.L. Bean. Beans has a policy of accepting returns on anything at any time. Is it different for furniture? I've known people who have returned backpacks that they bought or received 20 years ago without a blink from the folks who work there.
I've got a box of matches
hdtex, I'll pay you to use them.
That table could work as a bit of naturalist irony in an otherwise aggressively Organic High Modernist home: the kind with lots of wood in that same tone, multiple styles of Eames chairs, lots of white upholstery, a flotaki, and no other rustic touches other than maybe an African mask on the credenza.
In a more relaxed setting, that table is going to swagger, bully, and make itself obnoxious. CL it to someone who will love it for itself.
Can you rip off the top and the innards and line it with something and turn it into a planter? I give up.
Hey, this is like the wheel table from 'When Harry Met Sally'... Remember that part?
Ditching the legs, glass and benches, this could make a very nice bed for children, esp. when you hang it from the ceiling, with a rope ladder...
Or with some cushions in it, a sturdy rope attached on the front and placed on wheels, and colorful little flags attached to the side as some kind of a hangout place or play space. Again, for children... They probably will put all there action mans, barbies, and fluffy animal toys in there to go with them on their journey.
Douglas Coupland could rock this.
couldn't agree more with lindsey k.:
"put eyehooks on each end, suspend from ceiling with steel cable, fill with books. or suspend at table height in a place you would otherwise use a console table, painted bold graphic colors"
i especially like the idea of it being a hanging book canoe. that base is terrible. AWFUL. base must go.
but if you're not going to do something interesting with it, and it's going to sit in a garage, i recommend selling it, or igiving it away to a needy kids' camp.
I have a canoe coffee table (a different one) that I purposely purchased because I just fell in love with it. My home decor is a complete mix of traditional, modern and everything in between. I just buy individual pieces I fall in love with without trying to stick to any one standard or style and then I make my beloved pieces work with my current decor - at least I think it works, or rather, it works for me!
Here's how I incorporated my canoe coffee table into my living room:
http://public.fotki.com/Vikulya/home_sweet_home/into_new_house!/downstairs/living_room_library/living_roomlibrary/dsc_5610.html
it's got style but not stylish. dont make this into a pottery barn blog please!
i beg u
Vikulya: if you can't sit in it, it's not a canoe.
Vikulya, looks more like a model Viking ship than a canoe. And sorry, but not my taste.
Hi,
If you decide that you want to get rid of your canoe coffee table, we've been looking for one for our Northern Maine cottage.
We may possible be interested in buying it.
Thanks,
Patti
After peering through the windows of Brimfield, the new home furnishings store in Andersonville (Chicago), this is actually starting to look good. What did you end up doing with it?