I love coffe/dining table hybrids for the obvious reasons. Entertaining in small spaces is a balancing act, and these clever pieces make it doable. This particular design in addition to being clever is also adorable. The Bambi table by Caroline Olsson resemble a baby deer. The piece was ‘inspired by the anatomy of the knee, where the bones can only bend one way. The location and angle of the table legs, as well as the meeting points of the joints, help keeping the table upright and stable.’ Bambi can be used at two different levels; as a coffee table or a small dining table. Lovely!
These modular tables from Made strike with the simplicity of form and the beauty of natural materials. Handcrafted from reclaimed beams recovered from old buildings and structures, the Cascade tables celebrate wood in all its glory – with knots, and nail and bolt holes. And because the items are comprised of modular components, they come in many different sizes. The independent parts of these tables can be used as stools and/or side tables. Clever and visually stunning.
Here is a great example of dual function done right. The XY chair by Paris based designer Aïssa Logerot can be turned into a low table. And it can be done with one swift pivoting motion – no hustle or muscle required. The chair’s back becomes a tabletop and can hold drinks and appetizers in a party situation, cup of tea, books, and anything else you might need a surface for. The small size of XY makes it perfect for an urban setting.
This multifunctional table, designed by Italian studio Crop, consists of two parts – wooden tray and upholstered cubes. The cubes can be used as ottomans and provide extra seating in a guest entertaining situation. They can also serve as freestanding side or end tables around the room. The design includes two sizes and two color palettes, warm and cool.
Xcentric is a coffee table set, created by Serbian designer Goci Bjelajac. The set is comprised of two identical but mirrored tables, which you can put together to create various configurations. Each piece can also function as a free-standing end table to provide storage where it is needed. Xcentic us quite stable too, it stands on rubber legs, hidden beneath the lower board, which in turn can be used as a newspaper rack.
Fun, flat-pack and DIY – this table has it all. Designed by Patrick Carmody and Kfir Shetrit of OCD (which stands for Obsessively Crafted Design), the Mudo table is a great example of a 3d structure that can fold completely flat when stored or transported. The piece is cut out of a 1/4″ thick sheet of Masonite and covered with plastic laminate on both sides. The manufacturing process leaves very little waist, which can give you satisfaction of owning an eco-conscious piece of furniture. Not to mention the joy of assembling it yourself. Hard to beat that…
This piece, called Mushiki, was created by Tomas Alonso of London based design company Okay Studio for Arco. Inspired by Japanese steaming pots (hence the name), the piece can be compiled from several round structures, which turn to reveal generous storage inside. The movement happens via rotation around the wooden column. The Mushiki table, just like its culinary predecessor, is made from bamboo, a strong and sustainable material. The modules are available in two sizes.
This elegant table set from 3patas is based on the idea of seamlessly blending three pieces in one. Called 3×3, the set can be arranged in various configurations or neatly combined to form a family. When the smaller tables are being used, the openings can be filled with the perfectly fitting bowls. Here is what the designers say about this unusual project: ‘After researching different users, we found that in many cases, they were living with limited space (such as inner city lofts) and were searching for solutions which could adapt to their various requirements. Whether it be entertaining friends, having a coffee, watching TV or simply eating dinner, the adaptability of 3×3 makes the table an attractive solution for these users.’
The Clouds coffee table set is a lovely versatile design from Mark Hark. When used as one piece the lines create a textured effect of real clouds. The set may also be separated into three individual pieces and used as a series of occasional tables around the room. Made from oak veneer on high-quality medium density fiberboard (MDF), the Clouds set comes in three colors – white, black and walnut. If they make it in frosted glass – my life will be complete…
The 3:1 table is a cool creation by Chicago based studio TJOKEEFE. Their signature is in playing with geometry and distilling an object down to its essential parts. Powerful form and efficiency is what TJ O’Keefe, the founder of the studio, strives to achieve. This table, for example, is a clever geometric set of nesting tables, each of which can function independently. Even if scattered around the room, the pieces ‘interact’ with each other, creating a visual tension. The 3:1 table is made of matte powder-coated aluminum.
