A coffee table is a piece of furniture that often does not get a lot of attention in the furniture selection process, and yet it will likely become one of the most used pieces in your living or family room.  You’ll want to go through a careful thought process before deciding on the right coffee table for your room.

• As is the case with any big furniture decision, measure the space.  Allow for 15″ between any seating and the table.   Coffee tables can range anywhere from 11″ to 25″ in height.  If you plan on eating in the living room and setting dishes on the table, then opt for the highest height possible.  If your room is extremely contemporary, then a low 11″ table can be a stunning look.

• Consider the amount of traffic that will be circulating throughout the room. If your living room is always filled with people and action, then you will need to pick a durable table rather than an antique.  A sturdy wooden table with built in storage can be a great option for a busy family.  A large upholstered is perfect if you have family members who like to prop their feet on their coffee table; it can also work in anywhere from the most casual room to a formal living room.

• If you have a stylish rug or beautiful flooring that you want to show off, a glass coffee table will do a wonderful job of showing that off.   A glass coffee table reflects light and makes the space seem bigger as well.

• Go with the opposite look of the other pieces of furniture.  If your sofa and chairs have exposed legs, then an upholstered ottoman can be the best look.  If the sofa and chairs are skirted, then a glass table with metal legs or a wooden table with defined legs will look best.

• Typically, rectangular tables are the most functional.  However, in a space where the other furniture is square and sharp at the corners, a round or oval table provides a nice contrast.  In a particularly large room, a square coffee table provides a huge amount of space for placing books, plates, and glasses.

With a decision based on size and function, as well as materials that best complement the look of the room, your coffee table will become a focal point rather than simply a holding place for books and drinks.

We’ve looked at the sofa basics before, deciding what size and materials are best for your purposes, but there are also many style and shape options to take into account.  Determined by the look of the arms, back, and legs or skirt, a sofa’s style defines the room because of its large presence among the other furniture.  Let’s take a look at some of the most common sofa styles.

• English Sofa: The English sofa typically has a tight back and loose seat cushion.  The arm and back have a slight rolled appearance and are set back from the front of the sofa.  When you sit in an English sofa, you will notice that you sit back in it.  Though you can certainly have an English sofa made with a skirt, traditionally only casters are seen.

• Tuxedo Sofa:  If you are in the market for a contemporary sofa with lasting appeal, the Tuxedo could be the perfect fit.  The Tuxedo’s arm seem to blend into the back as they all come to the same height.  With extremely clean lines and a modern yet timless feel, the Tuxedo sofa is a sophisticated choice.

• Camelback Sofa: One of the most traditional sofa styles, the Camelback dates back to 18th Century London and the furniture maker Thomas Chippendale.  The serpentine curve on its tight back is the distinguishing feature of the Camelback sofa.

• Chesterfield Sofa: For your office or library, an iconic choice would be the Chesterfield upholstered in leather.  With its rolled arms and back of even height, and tufting throughout the back and sometimes seat, the Chesterfield is the quintessential masculine sofa.

• Lawson Sofa: The Lawson has a low squared off back, with lower square or rolled arms.  Usually seen in loose seat and loose back, the Lawson sofa is a comfortable choice for a family room.

• Bridgewater Sofa: Bridgewater sofas have low arms and a high back with loose back and cushions.  They are almost always skirted.   It is a comfortable, casual look, perfect for busy families who want to relax in their home at the end of the day.

• Mid-Century Modern Sofa: the Mid-Century Modern sofa looks like it would be at home in a space with retro appeal.  The clean, square lines seem to float on thin legs giving it a sophisticated and streamlined, yet fun, look.

Discover hot new trends

Need help choosing the right sofa for your home?  Contact us at 800-254-7373 or email myroom@ciaointeriors.com

New leather products are now available as part of Ciao Studio!  Here’s the Bennett Sofa also available as a loveseat, chair, or ottoman.

Pricing:

Bennett sofa $1499
Loveseat  $1399
Chair  $1199
Ottoman  $499

Pricing:

Brooklyn Sofa: $1399
Loveseat $1299
Chair $1099
Ottoman $449

Our leather products are part of the In-Stock Program – shipping time is as quick as two weeks!

If you’d like to learn more about these products or are interested in purchasing these items, please contact us today.

French for linen cloth or canvas, Toile entered the English language in the 16th century.  A typical toile consists of a linen or cotton fabric with rustic country scenes and have a neutral background,  usually in a red, black, or blue printed scene.   Green, brown, and magenta were less common.   Toiles are one in their own, they make for a pleasing overall background design from a distance, but once an onlooker gets a closer look, the subtle images tell a story.

Toile doesn’t have to be strictly traditional!  Below a living room uses a toile in a cool blue for a modern twist.

Photo: Decor Pad

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Elle Decor

Photo: Southern Living

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Traditional Home

Crafted from the Kuba tribe in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kuba cloth, (also known as raffia cloth) is springing up in pillows, rugs, and textiles everywhere.

Originally, Kuba cloth was a vegetable dyed textile, tightly hand woven from the strands of the raffia palm leaf to create interlocking geometric patterns.  These were traditionally used for ceremonial skirts, wall hangings, and mats for sitting or sleeping on.

Below, pillows add the perfect texture and hint of global flare.

Neutral colors are the most common color palette for Kuba textiles

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Take a look at how these open interiors divide their space!

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: House Beautiful

Banquettes might not be for everyone, however below are some examples of how they can not only be space saving, but a great way to fill up awkward spaces.

Porch swings are not just for the outdoors, as the concept is now rubbing off to the inside of the home!  Maybe not practical for everyone, but definitely a conversation starter.

Suspending the bed not only fits in with the theme of the space, but allows for as much storage as you could possibly want underneath

Photo: Southern Accents

Photo: Coastal Living

Below the suspended bed gives the feeling of being at a tropical retreat

Photo: Southern Living

With summer winding down and the evenings beginning to cool down just a bit, it’s the perfect time to retreat to the screen porch after a long day.  Use your screen porch for a comfortable living area, a casual dining room, or a delightful sleeping porch.  Add a ceiling fan, accent lighting (ditch the bright overhead, it’ll just attract the bugs that manage to slip through the screen!), outdoor fabrics, and an indoor/outdoor rug to make the place homey.

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: House Beautiful

Photo: My Home Ideas

Photo: Traditional Home

Photo: Apartment Therapy

Photo: My Home Ideas

Antlers, faux or real, are not just for those showing off their proud achievements.  Whether you’re a hunter yourself, or just like the natural element, check out these interiors that incorporate the antler attack!