heiter speaks to the idea of finding happiness through intentional living. Approaching the way we live and create mindful displays in our homes can become a gentle invitation to do exactly that.

When I style a table, I don’t begin with objects. I begin with a feeling: how do I want to feel when I sit here?

Calm, inspired, restored… this becomes the thread that quietly ties everything together.

For this coffee table setting, I’ve kept things simple and within reach. A pretty glass bottle is repurposed to hold cuttings from the garden - a resplendent magnolia tree and a little clematis that’s just starting to climb; a nod to the idea of blooming. There’s something grounding about bringing in what’s just outside your door or plucked from a pathway or nearby hedge, it softens the space instantly.

Around it, a few thoughtful elements create both beauty and purpose:
- a favourite magazine, ready to dip into.
- a notebook and pen for capturing passing thoughts.
- a shell to hold incense, a small ritual if the moment calls for it.
- a tiny tray with a few meaningful objects.
- a candle to light as the day begins to soften.

The materials do their own quiet work: glass catches the light, marble reflects it. Brass warms it, forever jewellery for the tableau. Linen and sheepskin on the seating nearby add a softness that balances the shine.

Nothing is crowded. There is space to place a cup of tea. To rest, to pause… to just “be” for a moment.

That balance is important. A coffee table should feel considered but never precious. It’s there to be lived with, used, reset, and styled again.

If you have a busy household, this might look different. You might keep a basket beneath for books, papers or everyday essentials. The notebook handy for a spontaneous game of hangman or noughts and crosses. The key is not perfection, but intention. Even a small surface can hold a sense of order and calm.

I often think of styling as a form of meditation. A quiet editing. A moment to notice what you’re drawn to, what feels right, what can be taken away.

And perhaps that’s the real purpose of a coffee table – not just to hold things, but to hold a mood. A small, everyday space that reflects how you want to feel, and gently brings you back to it.

Emily Chalmers is the founder of Caravan Style, a blend of interior styling, an online shop and Sea Tower, a creative coastal location. She offers 1:1 consultations, working with clients to gently unravel styling dilemmas, refine spaces and bring a renewed sense of clarity and direction.

Her work is rooted in an instinctive, thoughtful approach, creating environments that feel as good as they look and invite calm, creativity and connection. Sea Tower, both family home and shoot location, is an evolving expression of this, designed to inspire and adapt.

Explore more at www.caravanstyle.com and @caravanstyle