Sintra Coffee / Side Table

Most coffee tables live the life of an unpaid intern: holding remotes, snack bowls, and that one candle you light only when guests are five minutes away.
The Sintra Coffee / Side Table is the rare piece that shows up looking like it has a portfolio, a résumé, and (probably) better posture than all of us.

Designed for FRAMA by Nicholai Wiig-Hansen, the Sintra is a sculptural round table with a marble top and a
natural cork base. It comes in two sizesone that reads as a side table, and one that can comfortably play coffee table in smaller living rooms
(or act as a “second coffee table” in larger spaces when you’re feeling fancy).

This guide breaks down what the Sintra table is, why the materials work so well together, how to choose the right size, how to style it without turning your living
room into a home décor showroom, and how to keep that marble looking like you didn’t raise it in a house full of lemon juice and chaos.

What Exactly Is the Sintra Coffee / Side Table?

The Sintra is a round, pedestal-style table with a clean silhouette: a simple circle of stone on top, and a thick, cylindrical cork base below.
The look is minimal, but not boring-minimal. It’s more “quiet luxury” and less “I forgot to decorate.”

Two Sizes, One Design Language

• Small (Side Table): about 13 inches high with a top around 15.4 inches in diameterideal next to a sofa or as a bedside table.
• Large (Coffee / Accent Table): about 16.5 inches high with a top around 23.6 inches in diameterbest for compact seating areas or paired with the small one for a layered setup.

Materials and Finish

Depending on the version, the tabletop is typically offered in marble varieties like Estremoz (white) or Ruivina (black), paired with
a natural cork base. That contrastcool stone and warm corkis the entire point. It’s like pairing a crisp white shirt with broken-in jeans:
elevated, but not trying too hard.

Fun detail: “Sintra” isn’t just a pretty name. It’s tied to a personal story in the design’s originone of those rare cases where the product name isn’t
generated by spinning a wheel labeled “Italian-sounding words.”

Why Cork + Marble Works (And Why It’s Not Just a Mood)

Let’s do a quick reality check: marble is gorgeous, but it can be high-maintenance. Cork is resilient, tactile, and more forgiving. Together, they balance
each other like the responsible friend and the glamorous friend who “forgets” their wallet but brings great energy.

1) Visual Balance: Soft vs. Sharp

Marble has crisp edges and dramatic veining. Cork has a speckled, organic texture that reads warm and grounded. In a room full of straight linessofas, rugs,
media consolesthe round shape plus the cork texture keeps things from feeling stiff.

2) Tactile Comfort: The Base You Don’t Hate Bumping Into

Coffee tables get grazedby ankles, by vacuum robots, by your shin when you stand up too fast during a plot twist. A cork base visually softens the piece and
can feel less harsh in a lived-in home than an all-stone monolith.

3) A Sustainability Bonus (Without the Lecture)

Cork comes from the bark of cork oak trees, which can regenerate their bark after harvesting. That ability to regrow bark is a big reason cork is often framed as
a renewable material choice. Translation: you can like how it looks and feel good about it.

Choosing the Right Size for Your Space

The Sintra works as either a coffee table or side table, but your room’s proportions still matter. The goal is reachability and flowyour living room should not
require parkour to get to the couch.

Height: Keep It Close to Seat Height

A common interior-design rule: a coffee table surface should sit about 1–2 inches lower than your sofa seat. That’s exactly why the large Sintra’s
height (around 16.5 inches) often feels “right” with many standard sofas.

Distance: Give Your Knees a Fighting Chance

Many designers recommend keeping about 18 inches between the sofa edge and the coffee tableclose enough to reach your drink, far enough to
stretch your legs. If you love lounging, a little extra space can feel even better.

Width: Think “Two-Thirds Rule”

A classic guideline is choosing a coffee table that’s roughly two-thirds the length of your sofa. The large Sintra is round, so you’re working with
diameter rather than lengthbut the idea still applies: the table should feel proportional, not like a tiny island floating in a sea of upholstery.

Real-World Sizing Examples

• Small apartment + loveseat: The large Sintra can serve as the main coffee table, especially if you keep styling minimal.
• Sectional sofa: Use the small Sintra as a side perch (or buy two and place one at each endsymmetry without trying too hard).
• Big living room: Pair small + large to create a nested, gallery-like setup that still functions for drinks and snacks.

How to Style a Sintra Table Without Making It Look Like a Gift Shop

The Sintra has a strong design presence, which means you don’t need to cover it in twenty objects to prove you have hobbies. In fact, the table looks best when
you let it breathe.

Use “Zones,” Not Clutter

One easy styling approach is creating small zones: a functional zone (coasters, a tray, maybe a small box for remotes) and a “beauty zone” (a vase, a sculptural object,
or a short stack of books). Leave an open spot for the thing everyone actually uses the table for: setting down a drink.

Books: The Easiest Way to Make It Look Intentional

A small stack of 2–3 books works beautifully on marbleespecially if you remove dust jackets for a calmer palette. Add one object on top (a candle,
a small bowl, a sculptural piece) and you’ve got a styled moment that still leaves space for real life.

Go High–Medium–Low

Designers often aim for a “triangle” of heights: something tall (flowers/greenery), something medium (books), and something low (a bowl, a tray, a candle). That mix
keeps your coffee table from looking flat.

Coasters Aren’t Optional. They’re the Plot Armor.

Marble can etch and stain from acidic spills and even certain drinks. Coasters protect the surface and keep your table from developing a “modern art” patina you did not request.
Pick coasters you actually likethis is one of those rare practical items that can double as décor.

Care and Maintenance: Marble Is Gorgeous, Not Invincible

If you’re buying a marble-topped table, you’re signing a friendly agreement to be mildly responsible.
Not “museum curator” responsiblejust “wipes up red wine before it becomes a memory” responsible.

Daily / Weekly Cleaning

• Use a soft microfiber cloth with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap or a pH-neutral stone cleaner.
• Dry thoroughly after wiping to prevent water marks.
• Avoid abrasive scrubbers that can dull the finish.

What to Avoid (Marble’s “Do Not Invite” List)

• Vinegar, lemon juice, and acidic cleaners (they can etch marble).
• Harsh all-purpose sprays that aren’t stone-safe.
• Letting spills sitespecially acidic drinks (citrus, wine) or oily foods.

Protection Tips That Don’t Kill the Vibe

• Use coasters and a small tray when hosting.
• Add felt pads under décor objects that might scratch.
• If you’re placing the table on a hard floor, consider a rug to prevent slipping and soften the overall look.

Pros, Cons, and Who This Table Is For

Pros

• Sculptural and timeless: Minimal shape, high design impact.
• Material contrast: Warm cork + cool marble fits many aesthetics (Scandinavian, modern organic, contemporary, even eclectic).
• Flexible sizing: Works as a side table, a compact coffee table, or a paired set.
• Round shape: Softer traffic flow and fewer sharp corners.

Cons (AKA: The Fine Print)

• Marble maintenance: You’ll want coasters and quick wipe-ups.
• Not a storage piece: No shelf, no drawers, no place to hide your remote-control chaos.
• Small-surface reality: The large size is still compact compared to big rectangular coffee tables.

Best For

• People who like design-forward furniture that still functions.
• Small-space dwellers who want a coffee table that doesn’t overwhelm the room.
• Anyone who appreciates natural materials and tactile finishes.

“Sintra” Name Confusion: Not All Sintras Are the Same

Quick heads-up: multiple retailers use “Sintra” as a product name for coffee tables and nesting tables. Some are metal-and-wood nesting sets; others are a completely
different silhouette. If you’re specifically after the FRAMA Sintra Coffee / Side Table, look for the defining combo: marble top + cork base
and the two round sizes.

Buying Checklist: Questions to Ask Before You Click “Add to Cart”

• Which size do I actually need? Measure your sofa seat height and your available floor space.
• How do I live? If you host often, consider pairing the small and large sizes for more surface area.
• Will I use coasters? Be honest. Marble is stunning, but it rewards basic care.
• What’s my styling plan? Decide if you want it mostly “object-free” or lightly styled with a tray + books.
• What’s my floor situation? On slick floors, a rug can make the table feel more anchored (and reduce slide risk).

Conclusion

The Sintra Coffee / Side Table is proof that furniture can be both functional and quietly dramatic. Its round marble top reads refined and architectural,
while the cork base keeps it warm, approachable, and a little unexpected. The design is flexible enough to work as a side table, a compact coffee table, or a matched pair
and it plays nicely with styles ranging from modern Scandinavian to cozy contemporary.

If you want a table that looks curated even when it’s holding nothing but a mug and one brave coaster, Sintra is a strong contender. Just remember: marble likes
gentle soap, quick wipe-ups, and zero citrus-based chaos. (So… basically marble is a cat.)

Real-Life Experience Notes: Living With a Sintra Coffee / Side Table (500+ Words)

Here’s what owning a Sintra-style table tends to feel like in real lifenot in a “perfectly staged catalog home,” but in the kind of home where someone actually sits
on the sofa and watches a show without fluffing the throw pillows first.

Morning coffee becomes a tiny ritual. The marble top has this naturally “ceremonial” vibe. You set down a mug and suddenly it feels like you’re starring
in a slow Scandinavian lifestyle videominus the fjord. The surface is cool to the touch (especially in winter), which sounds dramatic until you realize it’s also a great
excuse to use a coaster like a functional adult. If you’re a “hot mug straight on the table” person, you’ll learn quickly why marble has a reputation for being sensitive.
Not because it breaks easily, but because it remembers everything.

The cork base is the secret hero. Visually, cork warms up the whole piece. Practically, it makes the table feel less icy and formal than an all-stone
table would. It also tends to hide minor scuffs better than glossy painted surfaces. In a home with kids or pets, that matters. You can bump it, graze it, or let your
vacuum robot politely attempt to duel itand the base still looks like it belongs in a design studio.

It encourages cleaner styling by default. Because the Sintra top is a circle, it almost forces you to be intentional. There isn’t a big rectangular runway
begging for clutter. Most people end up doing a simple “one-third styled, two-thirds open” approach: maybe a small stack of books with a candle on top, plus a tray that
holds coasters. Everything else stays clear for drinks, snacks, or the occasional “I swear I’ll fold this later” mail pile. It’s a table that quietly trains you to stop
over-decoratinglike a minimalism coach that doesn’t talk.

Small spaces love it. If you’ve ever tried to squeeze a full-size coffee table into a tight living room, you know the struggle: suddenly the room’s main
walkway turns into a side quest. The large Sintra size is compact enough to keep traffic flow comfortable, especially if you follow the classic clearance guideline (roughly
around an arm’s reach from the sofa). If you pair the small and large versions, you get a layered look that feels high-end while still being practicalone table for your
mug, one for the snacks, and both for making your room look like you knew what you were doing.

You’ll become “the coaster person.” Not in an annoying waymore like in a “I respect my furniture and also enjoy nice things” way. The good news is that
coasters can be cute. A cork coaster set looks cohesive with the base. Stone coasters look luxe on marble. Even a small tray can act like a “landing pad” that protects
the top while making the styling look intentional. And once you start using coasters consistently, you’ll wonder why anyone raw-dogs a marble surface with a sweating glass.
That’s not bravery. That’s chaos.

It photographs ridiculously well. If you ever post room pics online (or just send them to a friend to humblebrag), the Sintra’s materials do the work for you.
Marble catches light, cork adds texture, and the circular silhouette softens the scene. It’s a “quiet flex” piece: people might not immediately know what it is, but they’ll
feel that the room looks elevated. The table doesn’t scream. It just… stands there, looking expensive and well-rested.

Bottom line: living with the Sintra Coffee / Side Table feels like owning a functional sculpture. It’s not precious, but it rewards you if you treat it with basic respect.
And in return, it makes your everyday life look just a little more pulled togetherwhether you actually are or not.

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