As If From Nowhere is the name of this innovative collection by Orla Reynolds. She offered her witty answer to a design problem of having a set of dining furniture in a small space. Her solution is to incorporate the pieces into a bookcase. The item houses four chairs and two tables that when placed together become a dining table. “It is intended for small living spaces or for those who wish to cater to the unexpected guest,” – says the designer. The bookcase is modular and can be assembled into various configurations. Watch the video below to see the collection unfold.
The Transformer Table by Quentin Kelley is an ultimate small space hit. In its folded state the piece is only 12″ wide and can be used as a console or sofa table. But when the dinner party is in formation, it unravels into a 36″ wide, spacious dining table. The piece is quite a looker too – made from solid wood and elegantly shaped, it requires no compromises between beauty and function. It quite simply offers both. Wishlisted for a future dream shoebox…
As the name suggests, the Mastro table, created by Gum Design for De Castelli, has derived from an old worktable design. But unlike its predecessors this piece has some serious space-saving advantages. The metal tabletop is folded on the sides to serve as a holder for the legs. The same tabletop allows to store the legs and flatten the table when it is not in use. Beautiful dual function! I also love the visual contrast between the patinated top and light wooden legs.
(via designerblog)
Deski is an interesting attempt at combining a workspace with a dinner table. Created by Finnish designer Markus Toivanen, the piece is a four-seated dining table by day and a spacious desk by night (or the other way around). The beautiful part is that you don’t need to put all your work-related things away. Just cover your creative mess with four panels, attached to the table via magnets, and you are good to serve food and entertain. These four removable components make your work flexible too. You can take them apart and keep the surface open, or you can close some of the panels and create storage compartments. Made from sustainable pinewood by-product, the piece is compact, clever and eco-friendly. I hope it doesn’t linger on the concept stage and gets produced soon.
I can’t think of a tiny apartment that wouldn’t benefit from a folding dining table. And here is a light and elegant one, designed by Åke Axelson for Gärsnäs. The piece, called Ballerina, has been presented on this year’s Stockholm Furniture Fair. When folded, it is only 53 mm (about 2 inches) thick, which is a really good news for those with limited storage capacity. Several Ballerina tables can be linked together, – a beautiful detail, which makes for multiple useful configurations. The piece comes in two sizes – 1250 x 625mm or 1250 x500mm. The table top is available in lightweight laminate with a surface of birch veneer, laminate or linoleum.
Cleaning up one’s desk is one of the most dreaded household chores. Wouldn’t it be nice to eliminate clutter in an instant or at least make it invisible? This desk by Danmark-based studio Line Depping lets you cheat and tidy up in a matter of seconds. It opens up in the middle to reveal a flexible pocket, serving as a holder for your things. And once the work-related paraphernalia is swiped away, the desk surface can be used as a dining or entertainment area. The storage pocket can also be used for cordage and electronic clutter during work time. Lovely idea!
This simple and clever table by Copenhagen based designer Julian Kyhl is a godsend for those in need of versatile furniture. The piece, called Timber, is a thing of stunning woodworking, which you can see with a naked eye. But what delighted me even more is its ingenius assembly principle. It is so easy and intuitive – one person can do it in less than a minute. Not a single screw or indeed any metal tool is required.
Here is how designer describes his vision: ‘Timber consists of 10 massive wood parts. It is held together by its own weight. Design and function is merged to let the observer see and understand the principles of its construction.’
Check out the video below to see this elegant assembly idea in action.
Here is another example of a smart expandable table. This unusual item, called TAble, by Elda Bellone Studio hides two tables in the shape of a single one. This design is great if your space only calls for a small dining piece, but you would like to be able to sit more people in a party situation. Whenever an entertaining occasion comes – voila, the table comes apart doubling its capacity. Beautiful idea.
(HT Six Different Ways)
This multifunctional table by Marco Olgiati, called π, is an example of an exciting dining/workspace hybrid. The tabletop is comprised of three parts with the textile storage compartment in the middle. Thus, after finishing work, you can slide your work-related items into the storage area, close the sides and enjoy your meal. The size of an item allows to create working areas for two people, which earns this design even more space-saving points.
Italian design studio HeyTeam created this highly customizable dining table, called Vito. The word ‘table’ is an overestimation, however, because the project consists of two pairs of legs connected with two metal clams. The tabletop is supposed to be provided by the user. This lax approach is perfect for creating temporary dining solutions. If you have a piece of wood or a thick glass (or an old door), you can instantly create enough seating for a gang of guests. And when the festivity is over, the whole construction gets easily disassembled and conveniently stored in parts. The clams can accomodate two widths – 60 or 85cm, and hold tops up to 5cm thick.
