| While the coffee table may seem like it has always | | | | array of magazines for the perusal of guests and |
| been a part of home decor, they actually did not come | | | | family, or simply a few unobtrusive sets of coasters; |
| into use in the American home until the 1920s. While | | | | this is where the focus of the living room rests. It may |
| coffee lovers in England was active in coming up with | | | | be the place where children color, the location of a |
| furniture pieces to facilitate a coffee shop type | | | | family game night, or just - as its name suggests - a |
| atmosphere, their solution was a table that still stood at | | | | resting place for coffee mugs while old friends catch |
| about 27 inches tall. The much shorter coffee table | | | | up on the goings on of their daily lives. Just as there |
| height of 18-20 inches which has now become | | | | are many purposes to coffee tables, there is no limit to |
| "standard," came into play when the prohibition of the | | | | the style of a table, either; it may be slender and |
| 1920s changed the focus of the home entertainment | | | | delicate in frame, or it can be strong and stalwart, or |
| scene. As people moved away from cocktails toward | | | | one of myriad styles in between. Likewise, the legs |
| coffee, J. Stuart Foote was there to meet the new | | | | that support it can take many forms. A more delicate |
| demand, and named himself the inventor of the coffee | | | | table may be gracefully set upon slender turned legs, |
| table. Until Mr. Foote's company - the Imperial Furniture | | | | where a more massive table might find its foundation |
| Company - began mass producing this newly needed | | | | on thicker Mission-style coffee table legs. |
| furniture, ordinary citizens were relegated to sawing | | | | Whether the legs needed are simple but strong like the |
| the legs of higher tables to bring them down to the | | | | Shaker and Mission styles, elegant and graceful like a |
| appropriate height. Despite its relatively recent | | | | Cabriole style leg, or sleek and smooth turnings from |
| beginning, the coffee table quickly gained popularity in | | | | the simple to the elaborate; quality coffee table legs |
| the American home. | | | | are essential to a living room that feels truly "complete." |
| Even though its design is actually relatively new to the | | | | Wooden table legs can make or break the thematic |
| home decor scene, the coffee table is without a doubt | | | | unity of a home, and give the discerning designer an |
| the centerpiece of the living room. Whether it bears a | | | | opportunity to set the tone for the interactions that will |
| vase with a lovely display of flowers or greenery, an | | | | take place in the room. |