Dining on the edge

There is nothing like a gathering with family and friends, sitting down to a holiday meal that has been lovingly prepared. It is a scene that is familiar and comforting to all of us, so why not shake things up with something a bit avant-garde?

The So-Ho Dining Table from Jean de Merry, with the puzzle-like base of ebonized or white gold leaf metal legs and a fossil stone top.

Cerused oak and hand-hammered and carved metal accent legs in a platinum finish, define the strong lines of the Sun Valley Dining Table from Berman Rosetti.

Christian Liaigre's Courrier Table by Holly Hunt. Sloped edges, x-base, in stock!

The cool, clean, high lustre Azure Blue polished finish and nickel feet on the Arabesque Dining Table by Dakota Jackson.

29 squares of walnut or rosewood add up to the Square Luna Dining Table by Helene Aumont.

The exaggerated scale and proportion of the turned legs round out the Owen Dining Table by Oly Studio. Available in antiqued white, chalk and antiqued black.

Giving new life to trees from the urban forest, Seattle's Urban Hardwoods crafts unique tables from what would have previously ended up in a landfill. The Seattle Dining Table uses book-matched Chinese elm with a free edge and an ebonized metal chevron base.

A little something on the side?

Side, accent, occasional - whatever you wish to call them, these little tables are the perfect exclamation point for any room. Styles run the gamut and choices are endless!

A Baroque statement of elegance from Julia Gray, Ltd. Handpainted with a deft touch of aged gold leaf trim.

The PeeWee table from Oly Studios can thank George Nakashima for the inspiration of its free-edge form.

A little loop-de-loop and the contrast of an antique iron base and foxed mirror top on the Alamota Side Table from Gerard through DessinFournir.

The Hiquily-inspired Henri Side Table in brass from Ironies.

The petite Syrah Wine Table from Lewis Mittman was originally designed to fit under the foot of a club chair in a c. 1900 men's club.Comprised of 37 disks, circular or square, walnut or rosewood, stamped and numbered, the Luna Side Table from Helene Aumont.

Doing what they do best, Ironies uses organic form in its Clover Side Table.

Now it's just a question of which piece of eye candy is for you.

Give me shelter

A sofa should be warm, welcoming and comfortable, with looks to match, as it is generally the foundation around which a room plan is built. Shelter sofas, or tuxedo sofas, are my personal favorite, and their clean, architectural form can be used in a myriad of ways.

The Wabi designed by Francesco Rota for Paola Lenti for the outdoor living room.

DessinFournir's Baines Loveseat, clubby and masculine.

The perfect entry perch, Edward Ferrell's Shelter Sofa.

The Milano Sofa, Ebanista's take on the classic Knole sofa, with hinged arms that can be lowered or held upright with cords tied at the corner finials. The detail was originally used to accommodate the large dresses of noble women.

Great looking with a button tufted back and stacked pillows is the Oly Studio Dakota Sofa.

Crate and Barrel's Nines Sofa is available in both a full version and "apartment" size. It also features eco-friendly construction.

The Archetype Collection through Baker, features the Wood Banded Sofa, with a tight back and bolster pillows, an updated version of a 30's Moderne look.

My personal favorite, inducing extreme sofa envy, is the Pavilion Sofa by Michael Berman Limited.

Care to take a seat?