Everyone Owned One In The '70s — The Moody Furniture Item Is Now A Thrift Store Gem

It's always a good day when you manage to score a trendy new home decor piece for a bragin at the thrift store. With some luck, you can find a 1970s treasure that will look incredible in your modern home. One piece of furniture from the era to look for is a smoked glass coffee table. These pieces are ideal for a multitude of styles but particularly lend nicely to the retro glamour aesthetic. Many smoked glass table designs incorporate aspects of multiple styles, from Hollywood Regency to Art Deco. This convergence of design modalities would become a theme of 1970s luxury furnishings, and this mix-and-match take on luxury design is on its way back into fashion. But whether you want to explore retro glamour or not, the modern eye craves raw authenticity in design. And, with a material as nostalgic as it is opulent, smoked glass in furniture and decor is naturally set to come back.

So, you may be wondering, what is smoked glass exactly, and why should I bring it home if I find it at the thrift shop? Well, the fascinating manufacturing process is part of what makes it so special. "What's interesting about smoked glass is that it actually speaks to a handmade, time-honored process, and that, I think, is part of its appeal," Jen DeRose, senior style editor at Perigold, shared with Better Homes & Gardens a few years back. "The tinted look comes from layers of smoke residue applied during the glass-making process." Smoked glass carries an air of dreamy, mysterious depth. This artisan glass can range from muted gray to translucent black. It can even verge on amber brown. If you find a smoked glass coffee table on your next thrift run, don't hesitate to snatch up this one-of-a-kind piece.

How you style your smoked glass coffee table will depend partly on what the table looks like. A high-end sculptural example might be completely made from smoked glass. However, most are set in metal or wood frames. When this dark glass is mixed with other materials, it looks a bit more understated, blending into the background of a design, whereas an all-glass piece can become an artistic focal point.

In general, smoked glass lends itself beautifully to a range of different styles. Naturally, it shines when it gets to play alongside other pieces from the same era. Style with other '70s staples such as brown and cream decor, lounge-style chairs, and shag rugs. Draw from other aspects of the retro glamour aesthetic, melding styles across the eras in one harmonious style. Pair your vintage smoked glass coffee table with modern seating or a trendy rug. Don't be afraid to experiment with bold pops of color throughout the rest of your interior. Hues such as emerald, marigold, and midnight blue all aid in integrating smoked glass into your home. Smoked glass also looks lovely paired with natural materials. Style your coffee table with a rattan tray or a brass vase. This paired with a fairly neutral backdrop could even pass in a minimalist home. There are so many directions you can take this classic '70s decor piece.