Occasional table. What a name! The perfect accent for a comfy chair. A place to rest a drink. Or a book. And a favorite in my design repertoire.
Two weeks ago at the Architectural Digest Home Design Show in New York City, I found some new treasures to add to the mix of occasional tables in my design arsenal. What I love about these tables is their difference in form, color, texture and pattern. Each packs a lot of design punch in its little stature.
Tucker Robbins, whose little stools and side tables I've featured before, showed glazed ceramic stools in glossy and metallic finishes. These interesting silhouettes add contrast when juxtaposed against orthogonal forms. The colors too add light and shimmer to interior spaces.
This little side table by Edward Ferrell + Lewis Mittman was modeled after a chess piece. Called the Rook Table, it's shown in satin white lacquer. The pedestal adds a classical note, but the white satin finish makes the table equally contemporary.
I am in love with this Gem Table by Debra Folz. In large and small sizes, its made of laminated glass which gives the illusion of facets. The base is steel and can be plated in zinc or bronze. An added bonus is the colorful shadows the tinted glass top casts on parallel surfaces.
The Drip/Fold Side Tables by Noble Goods is a gem of another kind. Composed of bent ash plywood, the table is hand-dripped with liquid resin, creating a unique pattern on each piece. The blue pattern on the tables below was stunning, but custom colors are an option.
Another great find at the show, derivative of the ever-popular quatrefoil, was the Major Tom Side Table by Whyte. Made of bleached Linden (aka Basswood), a tree native to North America, the table looks and feels light. So sculptural in form, it makes a strong design statement for its little mass.
