New House, Old Coffee Table

Since our recent move, I am just now beginning the decorating process in my home.  I no longer live in my great grandparent's house--but we decided to start out our marriage in a larger, and tad bit newer home.  It lacks the instant character and charm my old house possessed, but with a little TLCD (tender, love, care and decorating:), it will do just fine!  

I thought that one of the most basic and influential places to start would be my coffee table. This table was a "housewarming" gift from my stepdad when I moved into my old house.  I love old things, as does he.  It is made from old sewing machine legs and it has a beautiful new wooden top.  Old pieces like this help add a little depth to a new home.    

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Tara

I like to keep it simple. (By I, I mean Phillip thinks it looks too cluttered if I add too much.) I chose things we enjoy using and things that could be great conversation pieces.  Right now, this is what's on my coffee table:

"Porch Dogs" by Nell Dickerson
Kids especially love looking through this collection of lovable dogs on beautiful porches.  Being a dog-lover myself, I can't help but feel good when I flip through these pages.

"Churches: Photographs and Watercolors" by Donald A. Smith and Roy Ward
Roxie found this book for me while shopping online.  It is filled with the most beautiful portraits of old rural churches throughout Georgia.  The church where I was married just happened to be in there!  We used this as our guestbook--so now it is even more special to us.

Vintage Duck Card Box
Phillip loves to hunt--duck hunt in particular.  When I see duck related things that are unique yet tasteful--I snatch them up!  I found this old card box while antiquing and knew we'd find a place for it.  We also used this at our wedding in place of a ring bearer pillow.

Voluspa "French Cade Lavender" Candle
Not only is this candle beautiful, but it smells so lovely!  Candles seem to have a relaxing effect every time I burn them.  It has become a part of my nightly routine and the scent always helps my mood.

Vintage Book Stack
Roxie uses books when decorating all the time!  It helps when you need to add a little height or color--to make things interesting.  I found these adorable classics in my favorite antique store and I had to have them.  The colors are divine and I LOVE the gold foil lettering on the spine.

Potted Plant
Happy plants make a happy home.  Who doesn't smile when they see succulents?  I love having plants around to add a little element from nature.  (That is when I haven't killed them yet...I'm growing a green thumb slowly.)  There is just something about bringing the outside in that makes a house feel more like a home. 

Aluminum  Duck Coasters
These coasters were also gifted to us by the fabulous Roxie!  She found them while antiquing in Colorado and had no idea how much Phillip would love them.  We use them daily!

I think a coffee table says a lot about someone.  It's a place we gather daily and frequently entertain around.  I think it should display your personal style while still remaining functional.  I found a blog on how to style your coffee table that I thought was beautifully done.  Her tips were simple--but brilliant! This is what she says you'll need:

• Something Green
• Coffee Table Books
• A Tray
• Decorative Objects
• A Small Bowl or Storage Box
• Free Space

Read "Styling Our Coffee Table" by Emily A. Clark for the rest of her wonderful styling tips!  Through reading her blog, you know that she has a beautiful home, but is realistic about it always looking "styled".  What a breath of fresh air to know that the coffee table pictured above had goldfish crackers on it before she took the photograph. Ha!  This is a good reminder that no house lived in and loved on will look picture perfect all of the time.  What's important is that you create a space that you enjoy being in and living life around.  What's on your coffee table?

Check out our Home & Garden category to find your own coffee table pieces!