I haven't actually got a coffee table. My parents never really had one either, probably due to a pack of crazy Deerhounds (aka, the best dogs in the world) with waggling tails at coffee table height.
I really love all these pictures and have been wondering if it is what my living room needs, a well worn vintage wooden table to 'tie the room together', in reality though are they useful or just another Interior design concept that is great in theory but in reality, is another place to dump papers, accumulate dirty mugs and only making a well assembled appearance when visitors arrive?
Do you have an immaculate well presented coffee table or is yours a dumping ground too?