Photography by Susan Papazian
Often when I see the beautiful coffee tables of designers and stylists, I can’t help but think they look too gorgeous to touch. But houses are meant to be lived in, they’re meant to be enjoyed and of course, get a little messy! So when Sarah Cichy, founder of boutique agency Piccolo PR showed me her coffee table, and said to me: “Yes it should be beautiful, but a cup of coffee needs to feel welcome here.” I thought: “This girl gets it!”
“When styling your coffee table think less clutter and more colour,” explains Sarah. “Simple, vibrant pieces will help empower, rather than overwhelm the room. I also like to start with the size of the table and select treasures to help balance it, rather than compromise the space.”
Purchasing her coffee table from a Melbourne homewares store many years ago, it is oversized with strong lines. A huge fan of reading it also doubles as a bookshelf, housing Sarah’s extensive collection of books and magazines. “I love reading — anything I can get my hands on that tells a story. I actually think I own more books than clothes, which is odd for a girl. So my coffee table naturally reflects this and is covered by beautiful interior books I’ve collected throughout the years.”
Often introduced to new homewares as a result of her work, Sarah has to reign herself in when it comes to styling! “I have to repeat to myself: ‘Less is more Sarah, less is more.’” Believing the coffee table should be an authentic showcase of your personality, she favours the quirky over the traditional. “I’m a design-gypsy myself, a little bit from here, with a little bit from there. It’s unexpected really. Fresh flowers are often replaced by foliage — such as fig trees — and candle holders become vases.”
Definitely not colour-conservative when it comes to decor and design, Sarah’s home — much like her coffee table — is a ‘colour-smash’. “Bubble pink and green are my favourite shades, for no other reason than I just love them! I always make sure anything displayed on my coffee table helps bounce these colours around the room.”
