Hall Table

There was a time when this would have been called a card table since it was the place where visitors would leave their calling cards.  Wide spread use of the telephone, which happened during the heyday of the Arts & Crafts movement, put an end to unannounced visits, so the piece of furniture became a fall table.  It's the place where you'd drop the mail and your keys during the coming home ritual.

This one is used just that way in a classic Mission-style home.  Note the corbels that support the shelves.  Rather over-engineered, but visually interesting.