A coaster is a relatively small and obscure piece of a homes overal decorative scheme. They serve a functional purpose, but in general, they aren't noticed until a sweaty glass is bearing down on one of your table or shelving surfaces. At that point they snap into action, acting as the barrier between the bottom of the glass, and the top of the table, protecting it from water damage, scratches, and other nasty blemishes.
Beverage coasters also serve another purpose. They are decorative items that can be used to splash color throughout a space. This is particularly true due to their transient nature. They are not permanent fixtures in a room. Instead they are usually stacked quietly somewhere off to the side, often in an attractive holder, waiting for when someone wants a glass of water, or a cold beverage on a warm day, or any occasion when they will be useful to have around. Then they are unfurled and the stack is spread out throughout a space.
At that point, whatever colors and images are printed on the surface of the coasters suddenly becomes an important part of the environment. Spreading out, casting a net over the space, coasters can actually become quite prominent, and so it is important to choose pieces which invoke the atmosphere you are trying to create. Since they will be more prominent when used around guests, you will want to factor that into your decision making process as well.
There are a variety of materials that beverage coasters can be manufactured from. Some of these are absorbent, such as sandstone, and cork, allowing the coaster to literally soak up the moisture from a glass. Others are non absorbent, but are instead equipped with a lip, which rings the piece, holding both the glass and the moisture in place on top of the coaster. It is important to choose a coaster set which will flow naturally with the environment, and wont clash with existing pieces in the space. While they may not always be prominent, beverage coasters can sneak up on you, and if a few friends come over you may find yourself agitated by the color or style of the coasters, when spread out and matched up with your various furnishings - 29871
Beverage coasters also serve another purpose. They are decorative items that can be used to splash color throughout a space. This is particularly true due to their transient nature. They are not permanent fixtures in a room. Instead they are usually stacked quietly somewhere off to the side, often in an attractive holder, waiting for when someone wants a glass of water, or a cold beverage on a warm day, or any occasion when they will be useful to have around. Then they are unfurled and the stack is spread out throughout a space.
At that point, whatever colors and images are printed on the surface of the coasters suddenly becomes an important part of the environment. Spreading out, casting a net over the space, coasters can actually become quite prominent, and so it is important to choose pieces which invoke the atmosphere you are trying to create. Since they will be more prominent when used around guests, you will want to factor that into your decision making process as well.
There are a variety of materials that beverage coasters can be manufactured from. Some of these are absorbent, such as sandstone, and cork, allowing the coaster to literally soak up the moisture from a glass. Others are non absorbent, but are instead equipped with a lip, which rings the piece, holding both the glass and the moisture in place on top of the coaster. It is important to choose a coaster set which will flow naturally with the environment, and wont clash with existing pieces in the space. While they may not always be prominent, beverage coasters can sneak up on you, and if a few friends come over you may find yourself agitated by the color or style of the coasters, when spread out and matched up with your various furnishings - 29871
About the Author:
This article was written by Jim Slate on behalf of http://PebbleZ.com's line of naturally absorbent sandstone beverage coasters. These attractive pieces are crafted from real pieces of stone, and are available in a wide variety of colors, images, shapes, and sizes.
