Appreciating Contemporary Coffee Table Designs (1920s to 1950s)

Part of the appreciation of contemporary coffee table designs involves learning a bit of history behind certain items that were produced. For instance, some were originally designed between the 1920s and the 1950s.

Learning of this can make for interesting conversation. Therefore, for amusement and enrichment sake you might want to view the next section.

Short History Lesson

One fine memorable piece is the small Eileen Grey Inspired Cocktail table which was originally designed in 1926 by one of the most influential designers of that time. Since this time it has been used as a bedside table, but it could also be positioned in any open living area or bar room.

The Eileen Gray Cocktail Table is slightly longer than other glass coffee tables and it fits in more confined quarters. The creator of it was a big fan of work completed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh and she met other famous people in design school such as Jessie Gavin and Kathleen Bruce.

Another famous piece of work is the Barcelona Coffee Table which dates back to Mies Van Der Rohe. He inspired this very design in 1930. About a year after this fashionable item was initially designed, it was set in a house in Brno, Czechoslovakia.

This piece was matched with the Brno chair. It is characterised by the 100 cm square wide piece of clear glass that sits on top of a four-legged base. The base is usually constructed of some durable material such as chromed steel.

The Round Plywood Table Inspired by Charles Eames is another item worth mentioning at because it also has quite a bit of history attached to it. This home interior piece was manufactured for the first time after the design was first released in the mid-1940s. It historically was positioned in a room with lounge chairs or dining chairs produced of like materials (ash wood).

Similarly, the Black Plywood Table was also inspired by Charles Eames. This one was also made in the mid-1940s, but instead of being made with all wood it consists of an ash wood top and metal legs. It has a moulded edge to make it appears indented. Historically, it has had many uses.

The ETR Elliptical Surfboard Coffee Table is another extraordinary example of a contemporary coffee table that was popular in the early 1950s. Charles and Ray Eames were the leading constructors of this table model. This table is most noted for its tower wire frame bases and metal cross struts.

Many more contemporary coffee table models have been produced over this period of time. These are placed in very strategic locations of a home to create just the right affect and to represent a certain decoration theme.