Maitland Smith Foyer Table

The eclectic furnishings of Maitland-Smith celebrate artisan skills in an age of machines. Hand-carved woodwork, inlaid marquetry, painted detailing, gilding and lost wax casting lend the company’s decorative accents an artistic flair. Focused on pieces that add a dynamic flourish to an interior by incorporating tactile materials like leather, seashell inlays and crushed eggshell, the manufacturer draws inspiration across centuries, from the curvy forms of the Louis XV period to the geometric angles of mid-century modernism.

Paul Maitland-Smith established the company in Hong Kong in 1979, after getting his start in London in the 1950s as an antique dealer who also sold reproduction furniture, something that would become a Maitland-Smith specialty. The manufacturer’s early reproductions of 17th- and 18th-century furniture included Chippendale dining chairs, and soon afterward, Maitland-Smith expanded into a range of decorative designs that often exuded a whimsical spirit, whether a coffee table shaped like a stack of books or a pair of decorative obelisks. Maitland-Smith’s signature sculptural table lamps in particular show off this playful sensibility, with one balancing a pen-shell shade on a monkey’s tail and another taking on the form of a miniature hot-air balloon.

Since its founding, Maitland-Smith’s sourcing has been based in Asia, and although Paul Maitland-Smith later sold the company that still bears his name and is now headquartered in North Carolina, the brand’s furnishings are still largely made in Cebu, Philippines.

Today, Maitland-Smith continues to innovate on its finely crafted offerings by collaborating with contemporary designers and studios such as Tony Duquette Studios (founded by set and costume designer Tony Duquette in 1941), Celerie Kemble and painter and textile designer Susan Hable Smith.

Find a wide range of Maitland-Smith furniture for sale on 1stDibs.

An alluring sitting area doesn’t have to be in the exact center of the room, but an antique or vintage center table is a great tool to partition off such an area.

By definition, a center table is a piece of furniture that is placed in the center of a room. Initially these appeared in the foyer or entryway before making their way into the living room. While one might keep seating furniture such as sofas against the walls to avoid limiting movement and closing off space, a center table in the living room can fill this central space without restricting the flow of the room.

One of the purposes of a center table is to anchor the rest of the furniture. It draws the eye to a specific area and invites guests to sit down. When thinking about how you’ll arrange your furniture, a good rule of thumb is to set tables an arm’s length away from seating. For instance, place a coffee table about 18 inches from a sofa so that it is within reach but not too close. In more modern layouts, tables are sometimes placed to the side to leave a large open area for foot traffic.

Because of its central position, a center table is one of the first things people will notice when entering a room. It’s important to consider how a center table can add to a room, as it’s a crucial element for defining the feel and theme of a room. Some center tables are mainly for decor, while others can be a great place to sit around over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. Center tables are perfect for displaying decorative objects, floral arrangements, books or a cluster of prized antique vases given the prominent position of your table and the attention it will get.

The clean lines and organic forms that we typically associate with mid-century modern center tables means that they will bring a dose of sophistication to a space, and examples from the era can be found in square and round shapes. Wood tables were popular with furniture makers of the period, but versions in glass and marble are also widely available. Because Art Deco designers frequently incorporated ornamental embellishments such as exotic animal hides and veneers in their seating, case pieces and other furniture, your Art Deco center table will likely make a strong statement in any room. Alternatively, if you’re searching for something small and unassuming, Regency tables could be an option for your space.

Find a growing collection of antique and vintage center tables on 1stDibs today.