Q & A Smackdown!: H.G.T.V’s Daniel Kucan vs. Mortise’s Mighty Maite
COFFEE TABLE STYLE CLASH
Dear Maite & Daniel:
What are the rules regarding the sizes and shapes of coffee tables?
Daniel: Rule number one: don’t get one that’s too big. You need 19” between the sofa and coffee table, and the table shouldn’t be longer than the seat cushions or else the sofa looks like a miniature.
Real men sit on yellow
Maite: Rule number two: don’t listen to Daniel. The design world has too many rules. I like to create big surfaces in a living room to make the space warmer and balance out a large sofa. Add two occasional chairs and the room has balance and flow.
Daniel: Rule number three: Maite is on pills. Nothing is worse than a room that feels packed to the walls with furniture. How much stuff are you gonna put on that table anyway?
Maite: Rule number four: just like a man, telling us that smaller is better. I didn’t say to put a dead elephant if front of your sofa, just that you may find a fantastic coffee table that stretches arm to arm, or a long ottoman that everyone can put their feet on.
Oversized reclaimed coffee table atMortise & Tenon
Daniel: Rule number five. There are no hard and fast rules. The correct design approach is combining good basics with the unexpected that works for you and your taste. Your question is so ginormous, we’ll address style in part II.
November 15th, 2009 at 4:53 pm
I’m not a big fan of coffee tables, myself. They get in the way of the circus tumbling and wrestling matches that happen in my living room. End tables next to every sofa, loveseat and armchair in the house will give you the much-needed coffee table surface without having a big obstacle in the middle of the room.
November 19th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
Hilarious article! Well done Maite, love it. Rules exist to be broken….
November 20th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Maite’, Shmaite’. Maite’ is a big ole’ can of crazy, don’t let her fool you.
-Daniel
November 29th, 2009 at 7:51 pm
http://www.rawcityhomelounge.com has become a favorite sunday point for me
December 8th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
the coffee table is beautiful