What’s On My Coffee Table?
The same way books start with a prologue, I’d like to think that if a home tells a story, then the coffee table is the prologue. Front and centre in my living room, it’s the first thing guests see the moment they’re seated. Unless there’s a really good tv show playing, or football, then I guess the coffee table is overlooked. But truthfully, our coffee table has become one of my favourite little corners to curate.
I didn’t always feel this way. Growing up, as many now adults who grew up in Asian households can relate – coffee tables were more ‘ceremonial’ than functional. They were meant to stay pristine, usually adorned with just a single flower vase, but always the prettiest flower vase. In fact I don’t remember ever using them back then aside from serving hot chai to guests. But as I’ve made a home of my own in the last couple of years, I’ve had so much fun letting my coffee table, okay OUR coffee table reflect our personalities, and current interests, because ultimately that’s what I think a coffee table should reflect – the characters of those living in said home. There’s usually a rotation of what’s on the coffee table. I’ve toyed with a couple of items – flowers & odd knick knacks that worked well on Pinterest but not necessarily in real life and i’m really happy with the current setup.
So, what’s on my coffee table right now?
1. An Assortment of Candles
No space is complete without a great scent. No. Even better, a signature scent. I keep an assortment of candles on the table – there’s always a rotation, but my go-to right now, and has been for years even since my pre-marriage days is locally sourced Wild Frangipani from Lilin and Co. It has that warm, grounded scent that feels like home, but also like staying in a luxurious yet charming boutique hotel. Alongside it, a recent indulgent favourite: Diptyque’s Ambre – earthy, smokey, luxurious, and just a touch mysterious. E’s sweet cousin sister-in-law also recently gifted Aesop’s Istros Aromatique Room Spray – which by the way makes for such a great gift! I’ve placed both of my candles + the room spray on a round wooden tray. I will say that the candles rarely ever see the light of the day as I tend to save them for special moments like when I have girlfriends over or on my solo at home date nights when the husband is away travelling for work. However, when I do light them, they make evenings feel slower and mornings softer.
2. A Wooden Game of Chess
Nestled neatly is a well-loved chessboard. Not cheeseboard with parmesan and emmental, but chess – you know the one from the Harry Potter scene where Ron says “Once I make my move, then you’re free to check the king” that turned into a chaotic TikTok remix?
I say this to everyone and I’ll say it to you, the wooden chess set makes for a stunning decor piece, but beyond that – it’s a ritual. I grew up playing chess with my father at least a few nights almost every week, so this is such a meaningful touch to look at everyday. It’s also the first thing both my nephews, thirteen and six, look for the moment they step into my home – that is after raiding the pantry for snacks. You’d be surprise at how great both of them are at chess, It’s a miracle I haven’t lost any of my wooden soldiers (yet). The husband and I also often wind down the day with a game or two, or eight! Usually resulting in one of us in tears after the other has cheated. I never cheat.
3. An Assortment of Coffee Table Books
My entire living room is filled with books and I wouldn’t have it any other way. The purpose of coffee table books just as the name suggests are books to read while having, well, coffee – pretty self explanatory. I love that my family and friends always have the option of pulling out a book and reading them while I’m setting up the table or getting food from the kitchen.
There usually is a rotation depending on what we’re reading at any given time. E’s choices lean towards history and men’s sartorial – he’s never without something scholarly, usually biographies. Though there was that one time where he was obsessed with Dracula. I gravitate to self-enrichment and interior design, and right now, I’m diving into Oprah Winfrey’s The Path Made Clear. It’s such a grounding read, a reminder to pause and reconnect with purpose. My interest in Greek Mythology was also revived this year after watching Kaos on Netflix (which btw, I’m so bummed is not renewed for a second season) – so you will also find a blue paperback titled The Greek And Roman Myths on my coffee table. Oh, and a book on Monet & Van Gogh’s works.
4. A Basket Tray of Everyday Essentials
A woven tray holds the small but essential things: two cups of water at any given time. We take our water intake very seriously in this household. There’s usually a bowl of chocolates, fruits or nuts since we’re such big snackers, and on lucky days – like today – cookies from my favourite, Em’s Cookies. My kind of indulgence: thoughtful, yummy yet easy.
5. My Something Unique – Card Decks
Just like there’s a something borrowed & something blue at weddings, I have a something unique for my coffee table. My something unique has to be my tarot cards. To answer your question, No, I’m no tarot cards believer and these aren’t the original – they’re more of an art piece. I actually picked out my deck years ago from the cutest store along the rustic streets of Tiong Bahru neighbourhood in Singapore. I loved the illustrations & pops of colours. The deck came with a book to decipher each card and sometimes, we pull a card just for fun – especially during our many dinner parties. I recently added a deck of yoga cards too, and I’ve started practicing a pose each morning (ok fine. some mornings). My favourite pose is the Camatkarasana, or Wild Thing. Except the headstand. That one and I are still negotiating.
6. My Something Personal – Bowl of Memories
My something personal on the coffee table is a wooden açai bowl (lol) filled with polaroids taken from our wedding reception – just only one of the best nights of my life?! There are some photos of ours, but it’s mostly of guests, family and loved ones who flew in from various corners of the world just to be with us that weekend. It used to be tucked away in a drawer, forgotten. I rediscovered it during spring cleaning, and now it lives on the table where it belongs. Alongside it? My first ever bag charm – the Jellycat, Amuseables Peanut. It’s so cute I couldn’t bear the idea of it getting ruined, so it lounges here too. I also found our wedding guest book tucked away in a drawer and I’m thinking it might join the polaroids soon.
7. A Stack Of Magazines
In this day and age of going digital, I can’t help but find people who still read print and editorial uber cool! Yes, I am referring to moi. I started reading magazines at the age of eight, a habit I attribute to an older sister who would come home with magazines every week. I kid you not. Ever since, I’ve caught the habit and enjoy reading interior, travel and style magazines. My favourite has to be Architectural Digest and Conde Nast. You’d be surprised to know that my favourite section that you can never get me to skip, no matter the magazine – is the Editor’s Letter. I can’t help but think that’s because some part of me is still dreaming about someday becoming a magazine editor – the aftermath of young Alyia watching 13 Going On 30. I also really like the various city editions of Harper’s Bazaar, and when I’m in a preppy mood, The New Yorker. The husband? we share the same interests + he’s loyal to Monocle. It’s a fun reflection of us: design meets depth, and I love how the coffee table captures this so well.
8. The Trinket/ Catch-All Tray
Every home needs a catch-all tray. I have a larger tray that sits on the dining table to ‘catch’ my daily essentials which go into my many rotating bags-of-the-day. The smaller trinket tray that sits on our coffee table holds watches and rings and is the first place we reach for upon walking in, ready to melt into the couch and let the day go. On lucky days when there isn’t any jewellery, there’s Patchi chocolates in there waiting to be gobbled by me.
9. Hidden In The Drawers
Inside the shelves and drawers beneath are even more books – because we truly are a reading household (or at least genuinely make the effort to be). I’d like to think that my father passed on that love of reading to me the same way my mother passed on the love of home decor & music and so many other things to me. I love, love having guests flip through books while we get the table ready. One of my most favourite things is having others enjoy reading the same things I do. I also stash a collection of coasters. I’m starting to build a collection and can’t wait to see what other coasters we come home with from future trips. My latest favourite? A beaded bee coaster from Mercato Mayfair in London. It holds such a special place in my heart.
10. My Something Realistic – The Tv Remote
My something realistic & the unsung hero: the TV remote. The key to everyone’s heart and the key to most of my happy nights. Because, let’s be honest, what’s a cozy evening without a bit of Netflix or a spontaneous documentary binge?
I plan on making this a monthly series – What’s On Your Coffee Table? where I go around asking people to share theirs. It’s still in the works and I haven’t yet firmed up the idea but I feel like coffee tables tell so much about someone’s interests and is a beautiful reflection of who we are, what we love, and how we live. They’re the silent storytellers of our homes. And I particularly love seeing how couples blend their tastes and interests – each item quietly saying, we built this together.
Whose coffee table would you like to snoop through – famous of fictional? Until the next post. Here’s to the everyday beauty (and function) of the coffee table!
Love, Alyia