Opinions on my two coffee table choices?

[aggie94]

We have been hunting for a new coffee table for almost a year and still haven't found anything we LOVE. We've recently come across these two options and like things about each of them and are trying to decide either between these two or to keep looking.

I'm looking for something either square or close to square like these two, but I would actually prefer something that sits lower to the ground. Based on our family room decor, we're looking for a blend of traditional and contemporary. It should be wood or mostly wood (in a richer, darker stain or color) but no glass, and it can't have a "shelf" beneath the tabletop that has the potential to collect dog hair, although storage (in the form of drawers or something) is fine (and so is the slatted shelf in the first picture below).

Currently, these are the two we're considering. And they're the same price, so that's not a consideration:

http://www.roomandboard.com/images/rnb/product/image/395141.jpg

http://images.crateandbarrel.com/is/image/CrateandBarrel/PerobaCoffeeTbl?$lg$

We really love the lines of the first one, but we love the slate inset on the second one. Style-wise, the first one is much more to our liking (the second one is just a little TOO plain, but the slate top keeps drawing us back.

Like I said, I haven't found anything I love yet, so maybe we should keep looking. Just haven't quite figured out exactly when we need to just settle for something that's good enough. I go back and forth - not every single piece of everything in our house has to be THE PERFECT PIECE, but why spend money for something I don't LOVE? <sigh>

We spent the weekend shopping for things we've desperately needed for our house for almost a year - end tables, rugs, lamps, ceiling fans, etc. - and came home with nothing. :(

[mbrogier]

The second one didn't come up. I like the first one. To me it has a slight oriental flair with the bit of curving in the edges of the wood top and legs. Love the slats.

[Cinnamon Crazy]

I like the first one. The lines are very interesting. I know the second is from Crate and Barrel, where is the first one from?

[LaraW]

I like the 1st one a little better - it seems a little more unique than the 2nd.

[ChristineVA]

I like the first one. As much as I, too, would love a slate top, the second one REALLY does nothing for me. I think the first one is a lot better.

Christine

[Beth]

I like the first one. We have a table with a shelf below in our living room and I really like it. We have a glass top, and the shelf turned out to be a place to show off my kaliedescopes. The one you pictured could have books below, baskets for magazines, or something decorative, but if you're not sure don't jump. I wouldn't buy something you don't love unless you have a need for something right now and the price is such that you can replace it when you find what you love.

[Kristal]

I really like both of them and am having a hard time choosing. While I do really like the slate on #2, I think I still prefer the overall design of table #1.

[wallycat]

I like the second shelf on #1 and the slimmer legs, but I like the slate and overall (except legs) look on #2.

If push came to shove, I'd get #2 and with my clutter issues, maybe a second shelf isn't a good thing :p :o

[Sarah428]

I like them both but would go with the first one. You might not be as drawn to the slate a few years from now.

[SandyM]

I also like them both, but I think I'd lean more to #2, for the reasons Eva and Anna mention (dog hair, and clutter :eek: ;) )

[MISSINDI]

I have a vague recollection of your house pictures that you've posted and like the first coffee table better for your decor. We bought ours at JC Penney a few months ago (yup, they sell furniture! ;)) and love, love, love it. I couldn't find a picture of it on their website, but it's a dark wood and the top opens to make it twice the size. It was actually big enough, when opened, to host 7 members of Supper Club in July, but when closed, it's a regular coffee-table size. :D

[misskitty100]

I love the first one. The second one did nothing for me at all.

[aggie94]

I know the second is from Crate and Barrel, where is the first one from?

The first one is from Room & Board.

See, this is my problem. :rolleyes:

[ChristyMarie]

I like the first one a lot - where did you find it??? The second one doesn't have as much character and slate can be rather brittle and easy to crack.

[Robyncz]

I love the first one. I'm going to go check out the Room and Board website right now.

[Beth]

I couldn't find a picture of it on their website, but it's a dark wood and the top opens to make it twice the size. It was actually big enough, when opened, to host 7 members of Supper Club in July, but when closed, it's a regular coffee-table size. :D

Eva, I don't know if they still have it, but Foley's had one like this a year ago. We bought the sofa table version of it and it opens to make a table that perfectly fits the opening of our sectional to make a booth for everyone to sit and eat at (we didn't know it would do that at the time, we just liked the idea of something nicer than a card table for occassional use). There was a coffee table in the group. I think you might really like it.

[HealthyinMN]

If it were me, I would pick the first one!

[jrichards]

Eva,

I definitely like #1 better. It has a lot of interest and style to it.

MISSINDI/BETH - I'm having trouble visualizing these expanding coffee tables. Can you give me a link, or better description? They sound really cool. Is it just like a leaf to a dining table? Do they have to be wood?

Thanks!

Jennifer

[Beth]

I just sent Eva a PM -- I'm going to see if I can get a photo and send or post it. My sofa table has two pieces that are finished top and bottom and fold over on top of a third piece in the center. To expand the table, the lift and fold out like butterfly wings and have supports that pull out to hold them. The coffee table version would be so neat for Asian style meals, playing cards or games -- they're just fun pieces and I love the styling of this one. A little heft, a little old classic and a little Asian/contemporary all in one. An elctectic piece that fits us very well.

[CindyWeightWatcher]

We are re-decorating too so I know the value of opinions. The first coffee table looks great. I actually looked it up and saw there is also a sofa table that goes with it in case you didn't know that. I think the lines of it are beautiful, my only fear is will the cross hatching accumulate alot of dust?
In our furball home, I think it probably would. Just a thought, one I'm sure you've considered.

[Peweh]

I prefer the first one because it's a little more interesting and I kind of like the idea that the coffee table books/magazines could take residence on the shelf below leaving the top open and airy.

But, I was wondering if you'd consider using something less conventional than a true 'coffee table'; like maybe a cool old chest or something. I once returned home with an old flat chest and my roommate at the time was like, what the heck is THAT? and I said, our new coffee table. She looked at me like I was crazy but we put it in place and it was great; had some military person's name stenciled on it and had travel tags pasted on it from going through the Panama Canal. We got lots of compliments on it. AND a chest would definitely deflect dog hair!

My mom has an old cobbler's bench she uses as a coffee table, it's not exactky what I would want, but you get the idea I'm suggesting - Be Creative!

[Jessica]

I prefer the first one. I love the slats on the bottom shelf and I think that table has very clean lines.

[NewMrsG]

I actually like them both.

But what I really wanted to share was that I have also been obsessed with coffee tables - we moved into our house over a year ago now and had a really ugly coffee table that made me nuts (glass top that I could never keep clean). We looked everywhere for one we liked and found nothing - there were several times that we almost just bought SOMETHING so that we had a coffee table because I was so tired of looking and became convinced that I was never going to find what I wanted. At least at a price we could afford.

Anyway - about 2 months ago we found it - and it was PERFECT - and very reasonably priced. So I guess what I'd say is that if you're not really happy with either one - wait! I'd be kicking myself now if I'd bought the ones I considered before after I saw the one we now have.

Just my two cents.

[MISSINDI]

Eva,

MISSINDI/BETH - I'm having trouble visualizing these expanding coffee tables. Can you give me a link, or better description? They sound really cool. Is it just like a leaf to a dining table? Do they have to be wood?

Thanks!

Jennifer

Mine sounds exactly like Beth's and I don't think I can describe it better. No, not like a leaf of a dining room table. Let's see ... picture a rectangle. Now visually split it in the middle lengthwise. If you put your hands on the split, you can grab it and it opens up two pieces, one going to the right, one going to the left. There are then supports that pull out to support the two opened pieces. I wonder if Beth and I have the same one? I'll post a picture tonight. :)