i've been sat on my very beautiful and very very comfortable Ercol chair internet shopping for a equally dreamy side table to compliment my 'lounging' corner. my definition of a lounging corner is a cosy space to snuggle up with a drink to read or write or chat with loved ones. This requires comfy seating, mood lighting and a suitable surface for copious cups of tea and nibbles or glasses of wine depending.
i have the seating covered- my beloved Ercol, a cushion covered 2 seat sofa, a moroccan style leather embroidered poof and a perfect for relaxing sloping wooden arm chair i rescued from a skip!
these are haphazardly placed around a cow skin rug and its snugly lit with my antique metal lamp stand and copious candles. I use a steel stool and the floor as our table- and its getting on my nerves! so i have made my bank holiday mission to fill the void and after some well earned party time my hunt has begun. i couldn't be more disappointed! alas, my budget is meagre and at the moment i can't invest in anything too fancy but i really need something to do the job and not offend or ruin my little corner of the world.
the internet has provided me with one bland coffee table after rectangle disaster after another. i didn't realise how difficult it would be. even magical ebay drew a blank. anything remotely 'vintage' or 'retro' looking is priced beyond belief due to current popularity. what about just good design? i don't want a mdf plank or a perspex cube so my options are limiting. possibly my dream of finding a Ercol-alike table on a budget is the problem. not that I want a rip-off piece that copies the work with half the skills and quality of an original- but isn't there anything out there for a bargain price that doesn't look like its come Argos?
on the high st, Habitat have the most unusual designs and some great designer collaborations- the Gavin Proud side tables are great. if the furniture delights at Tom Dixon or London's SCP are out of budget ('Yes!') then where do we look?
so, tomorrow I am going junk shop hunting. will this be more ethical? yes. more fun? yes. better for me than sitting on my arse internet hunting? most likely.
second hand furniture has a history which is such a lovely thing and it's what helps add character to your homes and individuality to our spaces. until the day i can buy the odd designer beauty, i will steer clear of the high street and stick to treasure hunting. it may take longer but im hoping the result will be far more pleasing.
check back soon as i'll post a run down of good places to look in London once i've returned from my adventure, as well as pictures of my finds.
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| Gavin Proud design for Habitat. 'Blythe' occasional table, £90. |
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| very similar to my comfy Ercol chair, love the colour of the wood. |
