I had to do it. Β I had to eventually give in. Β Even though I’d trawled eBay for MONTHS, searching through literally THOUSANDS of ugly coffee tables to find the one I was looking for. Β To find the one that was the perfect balance of vintage goodness, brass and glass with delicately curved legs. Β To drive 35 miles in the most torrential downpour imaginable to pick it up from a rather unsavoury-looking woman who looked at me like I was bat shit crazy when I’d told her about my search. Β All of this, and yet I had to give in.
Why?
Because Wayne hated it. Β Not just felt ambivalent towards it, not just that it wasn’t really his bag – no, he hated it. Β And made sure he told me whenever the opportunity arose. Β For some reason, I thought over time, he would learn to love my vintage coffee table as I did – to see how lovely it was in the space, how pretty and delicate and vintage-y perfect it was. Β Alas, after nearly 2 years, his hatred only seemed to grow.
So when Abigail tagged me in an Instagram post sharing a picture of a marble and brass coffee table from West Elm, I hesitantly showed it to Wayne.
“Well, it’s a lot nicer than that ugly thing you’ve got in there.”
Good enough for me.
It wasn’t cheap and so I knew it wouldn’t be something we’d be able to get straight away. Β Christmas had just passed and my birthday was coming up and we’d planned on a weekend in Bath to celebrate – a beautiful city I’d never been to – so money was tight.
Well, as fate would have it, the forecast called for heavy rain and gale-force winds the entire weekend we’d planned to go. Β As the days crept closer and we kept an eye on the forecast, my dreams of wandering around Bath, camera in hand, bundled in faux fur, sipping coffee in outdoor cafes, people-watching and a lovely boutique hotel were dashed. Two days before we were meant to set off, we realised it would be a waste of a trip. Β Bath is the kind of city you want to explore leisurely on foot – not the kind you really want to be dashing from one place to another in a downpour.
Sensing my disappointment, I got a text from Wayne after yet another exchange about how terrible the weather was going to be and yes, we might as well cancel our reservations.
“If you want, we can get that coffee table instead of going to Bath for your birthday. Β I had the money set aside anyway.”
It was not an offer I was going to refuse. Β Being the budget-pinchers that we are, we waited for a sale. We didn’t have to wait long for that although a mix up with UPS and a damaged top meant the wait for the coffee table was a little longer than expected. Β Through all of it, Russell at the West End London store was fabulous, really helpful and kind – the kind of service that you would hope to get when things don’t run smoothly.
Well, last week, with assistance from Russell, the complete table finally arrived. Β And my goodness, is it pretty.
It’s similar in size to my old one but sits slightly lower which works well. Β And the pale grey of the veining ties in nicely with the paint colour in here too.
You may have noticed that I didn’t actually have to completely give up my old coffee table. Β The table is actually made up of 3 small tables (one square and two half circles) so the two half circles are now making up the little side table. Β I think I’ll use the square one in my future office somewhere.
I absolutely love the marble – it’s so beautifully honed, smooth, solid and cool to the touch. Β It’s making me really want to put it in my kitchen which is probably a dangerous thing. Β But goodness, you can’t blame a girl for dreaming.
I may see how well this one ‘wears’ and how easily it etches/stains and how I feel about it before I consider taking that leap to worktops. Β In the meantime, I have to admit I’m pretty happy with how the whole saga ended – Wayne is happy now, I’m happy now and that’s what decorating in relationships mean sometimes, happy compromises.
So what do you think of the new addition? Β Have you had to make any happy compromises lately?
Don’t miss a thing!
Oh my god. It's beautiful. The marble. The shapely, solid, golden legs (wow, that makes me sound like a perv). It's gorgeous! And I'm mad jealous too because we don't have West Elm here in Ireland. I think I'd have to sell an ovary just to pay the shipping. She's a beaut.<br /><br />p.s. Cat lady question – how do you stop your kittens from picking at your cow hide rug?
I was wondering why the change in the coffee table. Leave it to the men to not see the beauty in our treasures! But super that you can use the pieces from your old table in other ways. (And you didn't have to bring back in the old, old coffee table!)<br /><br />I am a sucker for white and gray marble, so I absolutely love it. I hadn't seen that on yet. The oval shape is especially unusual
The table looks fabulous! And lucky you, you get to reuse the old one. Bath is indeed lovely, but best appreciated on a warm, sunny day.
Love your styling and the table is very mid century glamourous!
Isn't it a beauty! The gold legs are very sexy! Such a shame about your cancelled holiday but this makes up for it, I suppose! Besides, it's nice to splurge on a few special things that you both love every once in a while. I'm glad you've not had to get rid of your previous vintage coffee table though, I rather liked it and it's great to see part of it still in the room. xxx
Perfection. The new table is perfection! And I was hoping you were putting the old one up for sale, because the old one would be *perfection* in MY living space. You are blessed. Love your blog!
I lurve it – it's fantastic and well worth the wait I think :) Hope you get to go to Bath when the weather settles, terrible weather you've had, hope things are on the up:) Happy Monday lovely,<br />Ax
oooh it's so pretty! too bad your bath trip got canceled though. I went there once with just a light rain and it was so so pretty. and love that you were able to reuse your old table – smart!<br />– jackie – <a href="http://www.jadeoak.com" rel="nofollow">jade and oak</a>
I'm totally obsessed with that coffee table! I've used it in two different client's homes so far and will probably use it again. Your place looks adorable! <br /><br />Thank you so much for your sweet comment on Little Black Door, it made my day! XO
Loving the marble and share your desire for marble in the kitchen. I got my fix with a marble pastry board and could not be happier with it. I am not sure if you can get Crate & Barrel in the UK but their marble pastry board was a great price, especially for the size and quality: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/french-kitchen-pastry-slab/s285048