There’s one in every home – that funny little corner, the impossibly narrow hallway, a “why-is-this-even-here” room. Awkward spaces are a sometimes-frustrating fact of life – but they’re also opportunities to get creative. So, here are a few ideas to start you off…
Trio of Tom Faulkner’s Lily Garden Tables
Lily Side Table
Are you the not-so-proud owner of a seemingly pointless alcove? Well, it’s your lucky day. The Lily Side Table’s small footprint as well as its selection of heights and tabletop diameters make it a winner in pinched spaces. Go for a brightly coloured top to bring a pop of excitement to once-dead space. Or opt for a rich marble surface to create greater depth and help give those tight spots a sense of purpose.
Tom Faulkner’s Exe Bench in Charcoal Finish and Oak Top; Duo of Lily Garden Tables
Exe Bench
Entry halls are notoriously difficult to decorate. They are often at risk of being relegated to the role of throughfare and never really gaining appreciation as hospitable spaces. Placing a long, lean bench like the Exe along the wall invites guests to stay a while and gives the space utility. It lends a greater sense of occasion to coming home and provides an opportunity to kick off your shoes and settle in.
Tom Faulkner’s Papillon Screen in Ulysseys Blue
Papillon Screen
A screen, or room divider, changes the spatial dynamic of an open plan layout, defining individual areas while retaining that coveted sense of airy, generous scale. The Papillon Screen is especially handy in this regard, leaving lots of negative space amidst its rambling, sinuous framework. Allowing light to flow through the piece and maintaining lines of sight keeps that open feel while giving greater utility and definition to expansive areas.
Tom Faulkner’s Madison Demi Lune Console Table
Madison Demi Lune Console Table
The Madison Demi Lune Console Table’s rounded edge allows extra room to manoeuvre should you be short on space. The piece tucks away nicely in an entry hall and provides a place to keep grab-and-go essentials like your keys, wallet, and glasses. For the narrowest of hallways, opt instead for the Madison Console Table in a thinner, rectangular format. It even provides added storage with a secondary shelf closer the floor level. Bonus!
Tom Faulkner’s Capricorn Oval Dining Table in Marble; Vienna Carver Chairs; Capricorn Candlestick; Galena Vases
Capricorn Oval Dining Table
The Oval iteration of the Capricorn Dining Table works wonders in pinched spaces. The table’s ovular shape allows for continuous seating all the way around, maximising the number of place settings. It’s perfect for dinner parties, where everyone can see eye-to-eye and take part in the action.
Tom Faulkner’s Lily Stools in Bronze with Adam Bray Shearling Lambswool (left) and Grey Gotland Sheepskin (right)
Lily Stool
The Lily Stool makes for extra seating with a diminutive footprint. Small but mighty, it’s a lovely feature piece in its own right. With a variety of finishes on offer and a distinctly sculptural quality, it provides an opportunity to give smaller rooms a sense of your personality without taking over the space. A beautiful combination of form and function!
Tom Faulkner’s Flint Console Table in Florentine Gold with Calacatta Oro Top; Lily Mirror
Flint Console Table
Close confines often come with a risk of over-cluttering. Keep the space sleek and serene with the spindly Flint Console Table. The paired-back, minimal piece ensures light is not sucked into any dark, clunky forms, while still providing the utility of an elegant, floating tabletop. With its elongated format, Flint makes a particularly wonderful addition to any hallway. If you’re looking to make more of a statement, opt for the Fitzroy Console Table with swooping metalwork that’s sure to catch the eye.
Tom Faulkner’s Fitzroy Console Table in Bronze with Clear Glass Top; Capricorn Candlesticks
Text by Annabel Colterjohn