Now for a totally personal decorating post, but after my furniture setbacks from last week I am hoping you will indulge me. Somehow, finishing the house has become much more than just getting it organized and usable – it’s become symbolic or representative of my success in settling in to our new life. There are days when the frustrations of getting things accomplished here make me feel like I am failing. While I know it’s all fluff, not rocket science and not world hunger solving, I can’t seem to help it. You can see we have made progress, but without getting too analytical, I don’t think that is really what this is all about. Nonetheless, for now, I can’t seem to think about anything else.
In addition to the French chairs and desk that I am now missing, my living room, shown above, still needs a coffee table. I’m trying to balance desire with practicality, and as ever, some kind of availability. At times like this, with a lack of antique stores and thrift shops, I find myself scrolling 1stdibs, the place where dreams are made. There is a whole host of utterly lovely vintage lucite and brass coffee tables to be found there and that is what I would really like to add here. Visually I don’t want to clutter up the space and I assume at some point I’ll be making my way to Istanbul or Morocco or somewhere else nearby and getting a fabulous carpet that I won’t want to cover up. I’d like something airy and light and at great contrast to Yamamoto’s trunk which is being used as the other coffee table in the large square space. At the same time, I’d love some brass to link the two pieces together as the trunk has beautiful brass fittings. Corners, as on the piece below in Ellen Rakieten’s Chicago apartment, would be particularly referential. And I’m loving the way the transparent table looks with a Chesterfield sofa.
Jonathan Adler’s Jacques Table is readily available on his website and oh-so tantalizingly says “Yes, We Ship to Qatar” in big letters on the bottom. Unfortunately, the table is one of those items that is exempt from international shipping. It is too small anyway, whispers the sour grapes voice in my head.
Even better than just brass corners or edges is a table that has a shelf. I love having space to put books and other items without cluttering the top. This one, in a room designed by Lindsay Coral Harper looks like it may even be a closed vitrine. I could definitely have some fun with that.
I think it was this 2010 photo of Elizabeth Bauer‘s NYC studio in Lonny that really propelled this table onto everyone’s want list. Hers has a bit of faux bamboo detailing around the edge and a low shelf that makes for lots of magazine storage.
There are some seriously to-die-for vintage examples of this style to be had all over 1stdibs, from this Romeo Rega beauty…
…to this one by Pierre Vandel. Serious love.
I haven’t really found a budget option in this style, but the Winston Gold Leafed Coffee Table from Worlds Away might do for those of you in the USA.
An X frame is another shape I love, seen in Vogue in the home of model Miranda Kerr.
Some pretty ones on 1stdibs…
…including my favorite Karl Springer shape. I’ve been sighing over different versions of this table for years and years and it occurs to me that Mr. Springer could really use a post of his own.
In the spirit of the Springer table is the new Helix Table from Design Within Reach, designed by Chris Hardy. The addition of wood to the legs gives the table a bit more heft, but I don’t mind. I tried to convince DWR to sell me the table without the glass top this summer, before leaving for Doha, as the legs come disassembled. I thought maybe I could squeeze it in my carry-on. Who knows? I may be forced to that plan this summer.
A possibly easier option to come up with is a full-on lucite table with little to no detail to detract. I don’t want this simple waterfall one and I haven’t seen it here anyway, but ironically, CB2 will ship their version to me here. The table is inexpensive ($300) but the shipping is another 150% of the purchase price.
I would definitely consider a big simple square like this one in Claiborne Swanson Frank‘s apartment and if I was back in Hong Kong I know I could get that made easily.
I like this one that shows its joints and we could use brass screws – see I can squeeze in a bit of brass – to connect the parts.
Again there are beautiful examples on 1stdibs, most of which are also quite expensive. I don’t mind the prices on the signed pieces made with metal in the photos earlier, but find it harder to justify prices when it is only lucite.
Especially since Wisteria makes this version, on sale for $719 right now. It too comes disassembled, so I wonder about packing up the pieces and having a new glass top cut here.
This is one of those posts that has no clear (ha ha) answers at the end, but I’d love to hear what you think and which ones you like. Any suggestions on sources that might be available to me or even making my own would be appreciated! I think I must be at the six month mark – isn’t that always a dip time in expat adjustment?
Links to all the photos and 1stdibs items can be found on my related Pinterest board, along with many other goodies.
Related Post:
A Clear Choice…Vintage Baker Brass and Glass Coffee Table
You know? I work with refugees and in the past, in some tough places, I have stood outside for hours or stayed late for reception so as to download your musings…and then shared with the other human rights, the food and the shelter people, to keep them afloat too.
I am not sure that we will solve world hunger but you are doing your bit to keep our energy up to try…makes us nicer too
Jackie, I’m in tears as this comment has seriously rocked my world. To know that I managed to bring some enjoyment to you and your colleagues as you are doing the work that matters means so much to me. It’s been a shot of incredible medicine and validation. Thank you so very much!
Love all the afore mentioned tables. How about furthering your DIY skills and making your own? You can then weigh up the brass options as much as or as little as you please? Did a little recon and discover, Baniyas building supplies, sell acrylic in Qatar! bbmcgroup.com maybe able to help you?
Off to go look up some links. There has to be someone here working with acrylic!
🙂 J
My name is Chaz. I hand make neon art and sculptures. I just purchased a 4″ thick lucite and glass coffee table from the 1970’s that i will put neon on.
I will buff then heat polish the minor scratches out.
I love your site and can fabricate furniture using CNC router from vector files.
Polished brass, aluminum. Plexiglass formica
Materials can also be used granite etc.as requested.
I make my own neon and would suggest on
combining for unique beauty
Thank you.
Kind of hard to leave a comment after Jackie’s! Beautiful things bring joy to people and the world has so much darkness and ugliness already – we all need some cheering up!
On a different note, did you get the hanging lamp in Japan? Very nice!
I think a lucite/glass and brass table would look wonderful especially over the rug that you hope to get in the future. We’re still living in Tokyo but have most of our furniture in storage in Miami and have a gorgeous glass topped coffee table with faux metal bamboo in storage (which I had over a very nice rug). I had it sand blasted but haven’t repainted it – I had been leaning towards a bright, funky color but now I’m thinking I might have it sprayed gold, after seeing your post. Oh well, that won’t happen for a while though….
So jealous of all the space you have!
Thanks Christina! The brass karakusa globe is of course from Japan – it is so huge I could never hang it in my house there. I’ve got two little ones too and have also sold a few over the years. They are a favorite as they cast such pretty shadows on the walls.
The best advice anyone ever gave me was not to put my things in storage – thank goodness 10 years later with no sign of going “home”. Hope you get your table back soon – it sounds lovely. And you could have it brass coated, rather than painted for a longer lasting better finish.
Cheers!
I LOVE that you were able to hang the brass karakusa globe – its absolutely amazing and solved your light fixture issue brilliantly. (Ha, ha – no pun intended.) Jacqueline, your talents never seize to amaze me – your living room is looking absolutely beautiful. I LOVE Yamamoto’s trunk in there – such an unexpected piece. I might be partial to it as well knowing the story behind it. Once again, I’m admiring your exquisite taste and in depth knowledge and although you have been lamenting over getting your new home together, I am thoroughly enjoying the journey.
It is lovely. Take care.
Never a dime for things done but folks always wanting more and threatening me but not a dime for prior. Not a dime.
Hi Jacqueline, just popped over to Paloma’s blog and look what I saw, I of course immediately thought of you! http://www.paloma81.blogspot.be
xx
Selon le depute des Hauts-de-Seine, de prendre la presidence de l’UMP serait un piege pour
l’ancien president. Arreter de fumer sans grossir avec la cigarette electronique?
Il est tres facile a utiliser. Je vous remercie. Qu’en fait-on?
Si vous voulez trouver en details ce que contiennent les liquides vous pouvez aller a la
page
prix cartouches cigarettes (https://vimeo.com)
Et pour offrir un maximum de fournir une transparence maximale avec nos clients, nous mettons a
votre disposition des fiches fournisseurs de” de””produits”
afin de connaitre exactement la contenance du liquide pour chaque marque.
Pour resumer le Tribunal assimile la cigarette
electronique d’un produit du tabac et comme telle interdit a
sa promotion et de de sa distribution en dehors du reseau des
buralistes. Ce taux est different pour chacun en fonction de plusieurs
facteurs: combien de temps avez-vous de la fumee, ce type de tabac est generalement
fume, etc… Il est neanmoins recommande pour un debutant des cigarettes electroniques choisir un taux a 16mg/ml afin de determiner s’il est necessaire de
le diminuer ou de l’augmenter selon les sensations.
La cigarette electronique pourrait favoriser les
prix cigarettes belgique
Il, les larmes me montaient de mon bonheur, la gorge etait serree,
et tout ce bonheur nous allons le partager maintenant, ensemble dans
10 jours. ca fuit de partout et le rechargement n’est pas pratique (fournir un mouchoir), le tube de
la bouche, et il y a risque d’intoxication a tirer dessus comme
un malade.
Nous devons ouvrir nos yeux sur la difference de dangerosite de la ecig et classique du tabac.
Ou acheter des cigarettes electroniques pas cher?
Bonjour, j’ai arreter de fumer pour des raisons de sante. L’optimisme de ces chiffres
tient au fait qu’il s’agit de sondages volontaires, ou situes sur des sites« e-cig enquetes:
l’enquete sur la population est reduite a une population de vapoteurs competent et/ ou commis suffisante pour decider de repondre spontanement a un sondage.
E-liquides ne sont pas en reste.
cigarette eletronic
Vous etes aussi conseille de comparer les prix, parce que, pour le meme
modele, le prix change d’un magasin a un autre.
Nous facturer la TVA lors de la commande. Une
dizaine de boutiques physiques ont ouvert leurs portes pour le plaisir des vapoteurs
et enfin democratiser l’usage du vaporisateur. Quelques jours plus tard, me voici dans un de ces concept-store qui poussent comme des champignons un peu
partout en France. Un titre trompeur, un article aux conclusions infondees pour l’instant, un texte
sans precision, flou, presque disent-ils,, qui ne parle pas
de l’essai sur des souris transgeniques aux cellules,
precancereuses ( ce que ce papier se garde bien de dire,
je suppose a cause de l’incompetence de l’auteur dans ce domaine de recherche).
Mais le danger prouve le tabac n’est pas une raison pour refuser la presence de l’indie composes
prix du paquet de cigarette en espagne
irables dans les vapeurs de cigarettes electroniques, ou d’accepter le silence ou des erreurs fabricants sur la composition des liquides
pour ces appareils. 4,45€ Voir Ajouter au panier E-Liquide
Western blendE-Liquide gout tabac type blond gars avec des notes de pain d’epices.
Mais ne mentez pas se mentir, si elle etait ouverte,
c’est parce qu’il y a un business interessant d’affaires derriere la e-cigarette».
La polydipsie est une soif excessive avec un volume de liquide ingere quotidiennement superieur a trois litres.
Ce kit contient 2 batteries, 2 atomiseurs, 5 cartouches Tank et le chargement et le manuel.
This is a very good tip particularly to those fresh to
the blogosphere. Short but very accurate information… Many thanks for
sharing this one. A must read article!
Hi Jinja thank you for your detail post 😀 great niche and of course i like cause i’m one of thousand coffee lover. Hope you would come to come to Indonesia tasting the real Kopi Indonesia