Plants are pretty much always the answer.

We’ve all experienced it: you find a piece of furniture that you absolutely love, except it’s got a flaw. Maybe it’s chipped, or scuffed, or discolored. Yet, because of this defect, the item is on sale. We are tempted to buy, yet ask ourselves: Is it worth it? Do I really want to spend my money on a flawed item?

I did.

While browsing Craigslist one day, I came across an adorable (second-hand) mid-century modern square coffee table listed for $5! What a steal, I thought. But then, I took a closer look at the photos and noticed a huge water stain on the center of the table. “Ah,” I mused. “Now I get it.”

At this point, however, I had become emotionally invested in the table. “I’ll find a way to make it work,” I insisted to myself. “I’ll cover the water mark with something.” And then it hit me: a plant. A nice big plant. I would re-purpose this coffee table by using it as an accent table/plant stand.

And, voila!

There’s more to me than meets the eye.

A lovely pothos plant, with its graceful trailing vines, was the perfect centerpiece for this table. Additionally, the teacup and saucer are strategically perched on the table’s corner in order to conceal a smaller water stain, this time my fault.

I’m still totally smitten with this little guy, flaws and all.

Are you as plant-obsessed as I am? I’d love to hear about a time when a plant solved one of your decorating problems. Comment below!