Maitland-Smith Consoles and Cocktail Tables: Statement Pieces for the Living Room

Maitland-Smith consoles and cocktail tables are among the most distinctive accent pieces available through Sutter & Vale. The house, founded by a London antiques dealer, draws each design from period sources and reinterprets them through sculptural detailing and hand-applied finishes that mass production cannot replicate. Every piece is made to stand alone.

What makes Maitland-Smith tables worth choosing?

The materials and the making set them apart. Maitland-Smith names its core techniques as hand-carved mahogany, inlaid exotic wood veneers, lost-wax cast metal mounts, and hand-tooled leather. You can see each of these across the current line at Sutter & Vale. The Acanthus Center Table pairs a burl inlaid top with solid wood hand-carved details covered in antiqued gold leaf. The Jaguar Cocktail Table combines two-toned walnut burl and birdseye maple in a waterfall profile, with brass stretcher bars as the sole decorative addition. Neither piece needs ornament beyond what the material and the making already provide.

How do I choose between a console and a cocktail table for my living room?

Function and traffic flow determine the choice more than style does.

A console sits against a wall or floats behind a sofa. It holds lamps, objects, and display. A cocktail table anchors the seating group and takes daily use: trays, books, drinks. If you are furnishing a foyer or a narrow gallery, a console is the answer. If you are centering a seating arrangement, a cocktail table is. Some pieces work as either. The Agate Cladded Center Table, with its polished black agate top and antique satin brass base, functions as a dining table or a statement center table depending on placement.

What cocktail table heights and footprints should I plan for?

Standard cocktail table height runs 16 to 18 inches; allow roughly 18 inches of clearance between the table edge and your sofa.

A few sizing reference points from the Maitland-Smith line:

The Asher's 19.5-inch glass height sits slightly above the standard range, which pairs well with deeper, taller sofas. Confirm the footprint against your seating group before ordering.

Which console styles suit a contemporary room versus a traditional one?

The base profile and material do the sorting.

For rooms with clean lines and limited ornament, the Flow Console Table in antiqued finished brass with a metal tube base reads as modern without being spare. The Woven Leather Demilune, with woven black leather, acrylic handles, polished brass accents, and one interior shelf, sits at the point where graphic and decorative meet. For rooms that carry antique or traditional furniture, the Acanthus Center Table's gold leaf and carved detailing extends that language. Browse the full Maitland-Smith collection to compare finishes and forms side by side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a Maitland-Smith cocktail table handle everyday use?

Yes. These tables are built for use, not display only. Stone and marble tops should be wiped promptly after spills; brass and metal bases can be dusted with a soft dry cloth. Avoid abrasive cleaners on any hand-applied finish.

Are Maitland-Smith consoles available in custom finishes?

Finish options vary by piece. Check the individual product page for listed variants, and contact Sutter & Vale directly for availability on specific customization requests.

How do I style a Maitland-Smith console in a foyer?

Keep the surface composition simple. One lamp, one object, and a tray give the eye a clear place to rest. The console's own material, whether agate, brass, leather, or carved wood, carries enough visual weight on its own.

The Sutter & Vale Team