St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1952-11-28

There are several kinds Of end
tables from which to choose. II
members Of the family are to spend
much time reading, q step end
table might be best as II win house
more magazines and papers than
Just q table top. Another kind Of
end table has q shelf below the
table top. Either Of these n o good
choice II you want 10 have reading
matter handy.
Coffee tables are another tmpor~
tant living room table. These are
decorative. too, and they are often
used to tie together two or three
chairs. q sofa and chairs or some
thing Of that type. This IL called q
conversational grouping which win
take care Of several people and
bring them together.
For this reason coffee tables
should be attractive. They do not
hold lamps, but they may hold
fresh flowers In attractive contain
ers. or a potted plant.
Place two or three ash trays and
a cigarette box on the coffee table,
or place some refreshment dishes
such as a nut container or a candy
box. Here again neatness Is tmpor-
tant. Avoid clutter.
Occasional Tables
Show Interests
Most occasional tables In the liv-
ing room have a lamp because
they're near q chair or a group Of
chairs and light from the lamp
makes them seem more intimate.
Choose a lamp which goes with the
table as well as the room. 1t should
be In proportion to the table top
under consideration.
II you have an interesting collec-
ton Of pottery or figurines, the
larger tables might be used for
displaying these. Don't forget, too,
that plant or flower arrangements
are good on them.
Tilt top tables and those half
circle shapes are found in the larg-
er living rooms and these might
very well be used for china col
lections. It's important not to use
too much on any one table, Of
course. and those used should look
well against the wall, as well as
with the other furniture.
Glass, pewter, pottery and silver
also look well on tables Of this
type. Larger pieces in your collec-
ton might be placed on wall brack-
cts or shelf arrangements above
the table, and this would make an
attractive coordinated unit.
Check These Tips
For Other Table Tops
Your dining room. whether it's
a separate unit or a combined one
will have a great deal OF opportu-
nifty for decorative table tops. The
dining table itself has an opportu-
nifty for many different kinds of
accessories.
One Of the simplest dining table
arrangements is a plant or sea-
sonal flowers which may be kept
on for the centerpiece during
meals. Keep plant or centerpiece
in a low. shallow type bowl. for
during dining it's important not to
have anything too high which
might prevent people from seeing
each other to talk comfortably.
Period dining rooms have oppor-
tunity for other dining table ar
rangements. An Early American
dining table might for example
have a quaint china piece In the
center. thanked on either side with
hurricane lamps. This same type
of thing might be used on buffet or
sideboard.
Sideboards or buffets might have
center arrangement Of fruit,
plants or flowers. Candelabra
which may or may not go on the
dining table during mealtime
might be used. too. TO give a bal
anced arrangement.
Colortul dishes, pottery, silver
ware or other dining accessories
might be displayed on the wall
above the buffet.