I’ve received a few requests for a post on coffee tables, and I can’t say the prospect thrilled me, as I have always had a tough time with this particular piece of furniture. In fact, when I moved into my post-divorce apartment, the hunt for the right one dragged on so long that I just ended up buying a bunch of Moroccan poufs and placing them between the two old leather sofas I’d brought from my marital home. It was a colorful but imperfect solution, as you couldn’t place drinks on them without the drinks toppling over, and I was resolved to do better when I moved into a new place (I got one from BluDot, in a vivid bright pink that is currently marked down). But I am nothing if not devoted to all of you, so here are my picks. A few are on the pricey side, but I’ve found a number of quite well-priced specimens as well. This classic Saarinen table falls into the former category, but if you don’t mind making a small investment you could do a whole lot worse.

I like the marble top here, and the fact that it has a lower shelf, so you can place your coffee table books and such there and keep the top half uncluttered.

Another marble-topped option, with a design that is nicely—but not overpoweringly—Midcentury.

I love the sculptural look of this, and the bright poppy yellow (here’s a similar and cheaper way to go, minus the yellow).

Just as simple as can be, and a pretty good deal.

A Noguchi coffee table is another classic worth considering, although I would caution that it’s not the best choice for a home with rambunctious children (or clumsy adults) as the glass is just placed on the base, and can fall off if you aren’t careful (I say this because I had one in my office for years, and I knocked it over more than once).

I just like this one because it’s such a good red.

I think this round one looks pricier than it is.

And I think the brass legs are a nice touch here.

When I lived in a brownstone with a big old living room, I had this Eames table and loved it. It’s perfect if you’re looking for something to place between two sofas.

Did you miss my post on furniture for the home office? Do check it out!

I work at my kitchen table, sitting on one of my not-especially-ergonomic dining chairs, and the fact that a few of you wrote in wanting a post on items for the home office just made me start thinking again about how I must at last clean out my extra bedroom (which currently functions as a storage facility) and turn it into a real place to work at home. If I ever do accomplish such a thing, I’d love a desk just like this one.

Here’s a cheaper option I also like.

And here’s one that’s cheaper still.

When I last worked in an office, I had an Aeron chair, and I just might splurge on one if my home office dream ever becomes a reality—they really are quite comfortable, for office chairs.

But I also quite like this cheaper choice.

And this one too.

The poppy yellow of this desk lamp is just so good.

We had Vitra’s Uten.silo hanging storage unit in my house growing up, and I have wanted my own version for ages. So timeless.

This power strip is so much more attractive than what I currently have.

I like a few bright accents in an office, which is why I’m a fan of this vivid orange pencil cup.

These neon Christian Lacroix sticky notes are by no means necessary, but still quite fabulous.

This magnetic tower is a cool way to store paper clips.

And this leather manila folder just seems like it would come in very handy, and is so chic.

I love the idea of an old-school flip clock—so delightfully analog.

A small tray for your whatnots that comes in a vast variety of colors.

“I’m in the market for a duvet cover and would enjoy seeing what you find,” writes a reader named Nancy, and I’m happy to oblige, because the right duvet cover can really transform your bedroom with a minimum of effort. (Also: I’m curious what other home/design posts you’d like to see here. Anything you’re in the market for? Please let me know in the comments.) I think this chevron-patterned number is really nice and subtle and quite chic too.

Here is a really good print that makes a statement but won’t overwhelm the room, which is pretty much exactly what one wants to achieve with a duvet cover.

I buy most of my bedding from Brooklinen because it’s cheap and well-made, and because my big dog likes chewing on linens so much that it’s pointless go for anything fancier. Their basic cover, which I like in grey, goes for a pretty-damn-unbeatable $95.

Broken stripes are nice and bold and a little preppy.

I like that this sort of looks like a very contemporary quilt. I also like the dog.

I am a big fan of duvet covers (and quilts!) by John Robshaw, and this is just so elegant.

Another fantastic, dreamy pattern by Eskayel, who make some of my favorite prints.

I like the light-on-dark embroidered business here so much that I’m considering going for it, chewing dog be damned.

A bright, happy, slightly loud number from Marimekko that I would acquire in an instant if it wouldn’t clash so violently with my headboard.

Another fine choice from Marimekko. I like that the dots are all irregular in shape—if they were straight-up polka-dots, it wouldn’t work so well.

And finally, a little Liberty of London cuteness from Anthropologie’s Liberty of London capsule collection, because, knowing of its existence, how could I not?