Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn (above)

The Bamileke stool is a tradition from Cameroon…a bench or seat made for kings. The stools are made of mango wood and feature a geometric rosette design fashioned after an earth spider–very prominent in Bamileke culture as the link between the living and the ancestors.

I first came across these African stools when they were used as accent tables at the Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. Far from Africa…right? The tables were painted white and featured in an all white area of the hotel’s lobby. Very chic. An interesting pattern with a rustic sensibility. I immediately went on the hunt for something like this for my living room. Fast forward to years later when I started this blog and I realized these stools are everywhere and now have become a staple accent table in American decor.

Absolutely love these…they can be used as accent tables, side tables, coffee tables, stools or benches. I like the idea of placing a white table in a living room setting or a den. Perfect. That’s why this table is today’s CHEAP TO CHIC:

Z Gallerie – Carved Mango Wood Stool – $169.95 (Crisscross latticework base stool or side table. Carved out of solid mango wood. Dark brown walnut colored finish. Comes in white too. 18.5″ diam.) (above)

Wisteria – Mango Magic (African Table) – sale $209.30; regular $299 (Mango wood accent table or stool with diamond pattern base/sides. 18 1/4 diam.) (above)

Pottery Barn – Costa Coffee Table – special $349; regular $499 (Made of solid mango wood. Dark espresso stain. Crisscrossing base. 32″ diam., 20″ h)(above)

Mecox Gardens – Cameroon Round Wood Table – $1650 (Hand carved in Africa. Sizes vary slightly. Approx 17-19″H X 20-22″ Diameter) (above)

Pieces – White Bamilike Table – $2705 (White round table. Lattice detail. Cast resin. UV protected lacquer. Handmade. 30″ diam.)(above)

Have you seen these tables anywhere esle? Let everyone know. Do you like as much as I do?