Big, big excitement on the decorating front: I got some new lamps. The glass base is good, right? Not exactly the newest trick on the block, but somewhat of a new trick for me, and they’re a nice, light touch in a room that’s gotten weirdly dark. Here’s the issue: they’re for either end of my sofa, and ultimately they will be mated to new side tables. But currently they sit on top of my old ones—and the degree of wrong that they look there is so astronomical I’m not sure one could even quantify it. So, if you wouldn’t mind helping me choose between these options? I’d be so grateful. Also, just for context: my sofa’s a pretty straight-up situation in a linen-y charcoal gray. And although I ordered them with the lampshade you see here, I received the black ones (and actually like them better: they’re more sophisticated somehow, and weirdly, don’t darken things up too much, illuminating super-pretty when you turn them on). Also: please feel free to suggest something entirely new. And do not delay: I, and my living room, desperately await.
Too deathly midcentury?
I was almost settled on these very simple cubes in the red, but now I fear contrasts that would jolt, not pop. Would it be too much darkness all around in the slate?
An elegant little option—but possibly too masculine?
A bit on the short side, but I’m liking the unexpectedness of the yellow.
I’ve coveted this for ages, but does it make sense to buy something that has room for nothing but the lamp?
A girl can dream.
Red, She Said. Perfect with your charcoal couch + won’t be too much. Juuust right. Like creamy lipstick on a bare face.
I suspect this will NOT solve the problem, but–because I am not a matchy sort of gal, I tend not to like lots of things in pairs. The lamps are paired, but could sit on two different tables–and probably would, in my apartment (in which there are no pairs at all). You could pair the red table with the one that follows–similar structurally but way different in color. Or two different round ones. I see no point in end tables that have room only for a lamp, however.
I agree with Edie’s idea of mismatched tables. Then you could have one smaller lamp-only table if you like, and one other that might allow for coffee cups and even a few magazines. I actually prefer this one from blue dot: http://www.bludot.com/modern-coffee-side-console-tables/pi-small-side-table.html with perhaps something like this on the other side: http://www.bludot.com/minimalista-side-table-2013.html. I’m also quite fond of antique school house desks repurposed as side tables (I have one myself). Finally, I really like some of the new side tables from West Elm, especially this one in antique brass: http://www.westelm.com/products/martini-side-table-g057/?pkey=ccoffee-side-tables&cm_src=coffee-side-tables.
Red. Substantial but airy. If you got tired of red you could powder coat in a new color…
The last two are too small, diameter wise. And the first is awesome but would compete with the lamp. The third is too masculine. The fourth…meh.
Congrats on the lovely lamps!
The lamp is so round, I would want tables with some angles. That leaves you with the red ones, or the “masculine” ones. I only like the red if you used the linen lampshade, so the “masculine” one it is. Maybe consider something like this:
http://www.dwr.com/product/skagen-nesting-tables-set-of-2.do?sortby=ourPicks#.URwm6B3C2So
The red would look great, but if you’re already having a problem with darkness in the room, maybe not so much. I like the frame side table ( the “masculine one”) and the second to last one best. I wouldn’t go with the yellow, but maybe that’s because I have a personal aversion to to mustard yellow in any form.
I definitely think the round lamps call for square tables. I love the red and I do like the “masculine” ones as well, provided there are softer, more feminine elements in the room, which I have no doubt there are.
Red. The color is great and the lines are clean.
A personal style note (or idiosyncrasy, you choose): I can’t stand round end tables as there never seems to be a way to put a book down without it flopping over the edge.
Securing enough lighting in my apartment has become a personal mission. I am embarrassed to say how many hours I’ve spent traipsing the internet to find good lamps and bought and proceeded to hand said lamps. Do these lamps with their dark shade and only 100 watts provide enough light, or do you have overhead or other types of lighting so that you could go softer?
On to the table! Although I have been eyeing the Blu Dot Free Range round table myself, the size of the lamps won’t leave room for anything else (maybe that’s not important in this situation). I do really like the red Blu Dot tables even if the lampshade is dark. It would add some drama.
The CB2 City Slicker Mint Side Table is probably too low (http://www.cb2.com/city-slicker-mint-side-table/f8100), you would need taller lamps, but it’s super cute.
Room and Board has the Slim Side Table series (less expensive than than Blu Dot) in really great colors (http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=7571&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=201&menuSubcategory=154).
Let us know what you pick!
I have to go with the red but NOT two of them. I’m thinking one red table, which is big enough for the lamp and other stuff and perhaps a smaller, square glass table that would hold only a lamp. I dislike matchy-matchy. Also, I really like the lampshade shown rather than black but that’s not as important as the side tables
Ditto! One red, one something else that either picks up another color in the room or is a neutral – like glass or metal. That last one btw is copied at Ikea and Target (I think).
Inthink these would be elegant with the black lampshades (if you feel creative you could paint the inside of the lampshade silver…http://www.westelm.com/products/hex-side-table-g669/?pkey=cside-tables&cm_src=side-tables%7C%7CNoFacet-_-NoFacet-_–_-
Bludot or the Crste & Barrel “masculine” one, for sure. Nice contrast btwn the round lamp & the clean lines of the tables. The other tables are a little too much, I think. Go with red if it relates to something else in the room, but not otherwise bc it’ll feel random.
Have you considered the simple cubes in the ivory color? Then if you wanted some yellow you could add a vase or a little tray.
That Jonathan Adler table is fabulous!
the c&b tables, definitely. not too masculine, just right.
I also vot e for mismatched end tables. I think this one coudl work too
http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/23720618.jsp
This one fun too http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/product/home-furniture/24809105.jsp
Also, having something with storage and a larger top surface for resting books, wineglass, coffee mug etc. is very helpful
http://www.atelierabigailahern.com/products.asp?pid=sidetable
http://www.potterybarn.com/products/keaton-planked-wood-smart-technology-side-table/?pkey=ccoffee-side-console-tables
But the red cube is cute too!
The “red” as people are describing it is watermelon (pinkish) which I am totally obsessed with. It’s hard to give advice with so little context, but of the ones you’ve suggested the strut definitely seems the most practical AND fun.
I don’t like any of those choices — they all seem too classic, almost WASP-y with the lamps and your couch. How about switching up things with surreal tables like these: http://www.allmodern.com/Essey-IIIusion-End-Table-EYS1008.html
Or an intense pattern: http://www.allmodern.com/Moooi-Chess-End-Table-MOTCT–MOI1175.html
Or: http://www.allmodern.com/Arktura-Ricami-End-Table-Ricami-ARQ1020.html
The Jonathan Adler table, the best choice by faaaarrrrrr. If you want a bigger table, go for the Crate and Barrel. Yes- it is square and masculine; but that is countered quite nicely by the curvy, transparent beauty of the lamp.
Keep looking. I don’t think any of these go with the lamp very well. The best is the first one (I don’t think it’s too midcentury, and it has a classic form follows function feel.)
Bedside lamps are fab – very contemp. French – but the really question with these is how big they are, how big the tables are, the space, the bed. Also the texture in the room as well as colors.
It is hard to tell in photos but what textures/materials will look best on one another b/c you def don’t want them to look like they are similar but not, like glass on different glass, wood on similar wood kind of thing – the worst.
On a guess, I would go with the red ones dep. on what color they really are, size, and if they look great with colors in your room. xc
Very hard to advise when not seeing the whole room. However, I do like the end tables at CB2 that are clear acrylic and on wheels (I will admit to having a slight addiction to furniture on wheels––it just makes so much sense). These little tables work beautifully in small spaces because, being clear, they don’t take up much visual room. If you are going with a “pop” of color I’d rather do that with something easily replaceable such as a throw pillow or two. You can get tired of color. I think I’ve mentioned the blog thingy…Design Sponge…before, but I do recommend it when you are thinking of changing your interiors around because of their “sneak peeks” section. Loads of ideas for free. Never a bad thing!
Love the lamp, voting for the C&B table.
You could go for a copy…
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19264&catalog=filter&menuCatalog=room&menuCategory=201&menuSubcategory=154
I like the mis-matching idea too, even though I’m a die hard matchy-matchy girl. Either individually or in pairs, I like the Red or the CB “masculine”.
Good Luck!
Easy: red ones.
Reserve your color pop for easily changed accessories. Pillows of course:-)).
You will be sorry if the table can only hold a lamp and I find the other choices manly. Love Eileen Grey but would never do a pair.
I think a touch of gold will look FAB with the black and charcoal. Plus you can pick your top if the texture of the marble shown is too much for you (I like it in a Kelly Wearstler way) my suggestion: the Benjamin table from Made Goods:
http://madegoods.com/products/furniture#!/benjamin-retro-shagreen-table-ivory
Ooh, that’s a nice table. Wow. Definitely the gold.
I’m not sure I like any of the choices for top though, that they show on that page.
This is probably not helpful, but I think maybe it makes more sense to worry about how you like the tables with the couch first, and then worry about the lamps later. And if your couch is linear, then I’d think a roundish table might be important. (I’d have to see them to be sure.) A linear couch and linear tables is a whole lot of linearity … but, some people are into that. Nothing wrong with it.
And of course, the tables need to be the right height and so on, to go with your couch. They don’t have to match and they should both be big enough to hold something besides a lamp, though that still leaves room for a lot of size difference. (I just think that over time, a lamp-only table would become annoying.)
Plus, I don’t think the lamps are a problem anyway. They are round, yes, but the shade is linear enough, to me, with its straight sides that I don’t see a round/square issue vis a vis the tables. At all.
If you felt there was too much roundness happening, you could try a striped lampshade, or a diagonal-striped one (though that might yell at one). I saw a picture of a striped shade recently and it knocked me out. It was in the NYT and the shade was done up in a narrow red/blue stripe, possibly from a tie fabric. It was dandy.
Or since you like colors and prints, you could do a printed lampshade too. I prefer the plain ones though.
I personally love the midcentury, but then everything in my home is styled that way (and soon everything in my brother’s home as I am redecorating for him, one piece at a time). My second choice would be the one you fear is too masculine, and third would probably be the yellow table.
I agree with Cynthia. For the most part I find round lamps don’t work on small round tables. Definitely need some angles to balance them. Also, the slate color could clash with your charcoal-y sofa. Maybe the BluDot tables in white? The contrast might not be as great. I like the “masculine” square tables too, but see CK’s point about the potential wood-on-wood issue.
I really like the red. If it had been the wheat shades, no. But with black? Oh yes!