Though they are beautiful, green, and durable, there are a few drawbacks to wooden tables. Namely, they encourage small children to whittle their names into them. (Unless it's just my family.) That's not to detract from the wonderful attributes of wood, but if you're in need of a high-style option that is both child-proof and eco-friendly, the answer - is clear.

Consider a mixed-media glass-topped table. The light passes through or glances off, banishing gloom, while you still get to enjoy the natural fiber (wood, bamboo, rope) beneath. To carve your initials into glass, you need specialist equipment beyond the most liberal of pocket-money budgets. And to keep clean? Baking soda, warm water and a little vinegar.

I'm nuts about Josh Urso's high design Knoop table - the glass rests on a base of 1200 feet of rope, treated to be five times stronger than steel. If you want a little more colour at the expense of transparency, look to these stained glass items from HandmadeTables in Los Angeles. Price upon request.