Finishing touches: The creative side to sideboards, consoles and coffee tables

Sideboards, consoles and coffee tables may all have a wide variety of practical uses, but these pieces also offer a prime opportunity for creativity to indulge our inner stylist, writes Carol O’Callaghan.

WHEN it comes to furniture, I find the temptation of a handsome sideboard sitting in a shop window irresistible, although I confess to already having the model of my dreams.