Generally, living rooms have a focal point around which everything is centered; often this is the coffee table. In the living room, most people want furniture that is functional and comfortable, but also pieces that are stylish, fun and reflects their individuality. There are many different styles to choose from to obtain the desired look, and when it comes to the living room people often choose an modern furniture as a hip alternative.

In the history of design, the term retro often conjures up the funky styles of the sixties and seventies; however, it falls within the style of Noguchi table that can date from the twenties all the way to the seventies. The best-known retro furniture can be seen in the forties, fifties, and sixties and no matter the decade one will always recognize the retro style. Identifiably, retro is about the form: clean lines, organic shapes, and modular capabilities. Post World War II materials advancements resulted in fiberglass and synthetic lacquered pieces.

Due to the upswing in casual styling, retro coffee tables became popular. After the war, the interior landscape became more relaxed and people were looking for furniture that was different from their parents’ generation, furniture that utilized new forms and new materials. Designers often used different materials like plastic, steel, and plywood in their designs. The materials allowed for different and unique new forms, allowing for mass production and durability.

The ubiquitous Isamo eileen gray table, designed in the forties, is comprised of a “free form” glass top supported by two identically sculpted pieces of wood pinned together at an angle to form the base is a well-known retro coffee table. Harvey Probers “Nuclear Table” is a perfect embodiment of casual styling that became so popular. This table offers a variety of forms with its two half circle shapes that can be place together to form a circle, can be lined up to give an ‘S’ shape, or can be stacked on top of each other to give height. The well-known Tulip Table by Eero Saarinen is another innovative retro design. The signature table is defined by its pedestal base which eliminated the “clutter” of multiple legs.

In today’s contemporary furniture one can see inspiration from the classic retro style’s of yesterday. For example, in the 1940’s Paul Frankl’s Big Foot coffee table called to mind Zaha Hadid’s futuristic designs. Whoever the owner, a retro coffee table, with its innovative forms and materials, can offer a sleek and elegant, yet fun way to liven up one’s living room.

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