Furniture

Alexa Yablonski -- Interior Design, 5/31/2002 12:00:00 AM

Raul Carrasco: After working in the design industry for more than 20 years, Raul Carrasco decided to develop a signature line of contemporary classics. His pieces—characterized by luxe materials and a Zen feeling—premiered at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair in 2000. Ever since, Carrasco has been busy adding. The Cliff console is made of solid walnut and measures 84 inches wide by 15 inches deep by 36 inches high. 74 NE 40th Street, Miami, FL 33137; 305-573-7889. circle 350

Blu Dot: It's not often we flip over a table, but Flip-Me left us no choice. Constructed of rift-sawn solid European white oak with a reversible top laminated in white on one side, the piece locks in place with a clever stainless-steel tube. 3306 Fifth Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418; 612-782-1844. circle 351

Roman Thomas: Hawthorne is constructed of quartersawn white oak with embossed leather inset panels. The graceful cabinet has two interior shelves and measures 50 inches long by 18 inches deep by 35 inches high. Frame choices include walnut, oak, or mahogany; a selection of hardwood veneers and leather inset colors is available. 36 East 22nd Street, New York, NY 10010; 212-473-6774. circle 352

Sandback Fabrication: This cocktail table challenges concrete's identity as dull and heavy. A thin veneer of cast concrete is artfully molded around a lightweight center; the concrete is then finished with a smooth, chip- and stain-resistant surface. The table measures 35 inches square by 16 inches high. 524 Route 119, Rindge, NH 03461; 603-899-2079. circle 353

Rolf Benz: The refined TV board provides the perfect reason to buy a larger television (as if the advent of DTV weren't excuse enough). There is a choice of a wood or Optiwhite glass top. CD compartment, drawers, or matching shelf are optional. 104 Haiterbacher Strasse, 72202 Nagold, Germany; 49-74-52-6010. circle 354

Chista: Simple, chic, eco-friendly, and made of solid recycled teak, the Line table from Alon Langotsky features distinctive sculptural markings. 537 Greenwich Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-924-0394. circle 355

Troscan: The Sam console merges modernist lines with a respect for traditional craftsmanship. Handmade and signed, the console has an Asian lacquer top and shelves, plus walnut side panels. 320 North Damen Avenue, Suite D300, Chicago, IL 60612; 312-733-0158. circle 356

Girth Design: The latest from designers Blake Moore and Christiaan Bunce is the Ping Pong dining table, which seems poised to add a whole new dimension to playing with your food. The base is lacquered hardwood, and the top is tinted acrylic. 10 Grand Avenue, 4th Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11205; 718-222-0304. circle 357

Muléh: If you find yourself dreaming of journeys to exotic ports of call, Voyage is the bed for you. Whimsically romantic, it is made of rattan vines woven over a steel frame and tied with abaca fiber. 4731 Elm Street, Bethesda, MD 20814; 301-941-1174. circle 358

Pastoe: Who could resist these unforgettably yummy banana-yellow cabinets? Not us. Designed by Shigeru Uchida, these Matrix pieces are made of lacquered MDF and aluminum. Totem Design Group, 83 Grand Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-219-2446. circle 359

e15: Designer Hans de Pelsmacker's inventive HP01 table-bench reminds us of a private booth in the world's most chic diner. Shown here in oiled European oak, the piece is also available with a brushed-aluminum finish. 4 Hospitalstrasse, 61440 Oberursel, Germany; 49-6171-97950. circle 360

Herman Miller: The Ethospace system has become even more comprehensive with the addition of the Extensions line. Among the enhancements: new structures and materials, restyled components, more shape and support options, and additional choices of tools and tiles. All these components integrate with the existing system, making it easy to upgrade selectively. 855 East Main Avenue, Zeeland, MI 49464; 888-443-4357. circle 361

KI: They don't call it the Genius for nothing. Engineered to meet the industry's highest standards for acoustic properties, this full-height movable wall is still light enough for easy reconfiguration. Among many other advantages: removable panel faces that allow for full cable access and simple finish changes. There are multiple glazing and finish options. 1330 Bellevue Street, Green Bay, WI 54302. circle 362

DNA: The goal of DNA, a partnership between Teknion and Round Three, a studio founded by designer Richard Holbrook, is to create a versatile system of office furniture for small businesses or home offices. DNA uses unique Web-based software to design customized workstations on-line from a combination of basic elements that include desk, storage units, mobile cart, chair, and privacy screen. 24 North Marengo Avenue, Pasadena, CA 91101; 626-683-8344. circle 363

Artisans de France: This table is made of a wrought-iron base and a top of enameled lava stone from Volvic, France. Available in several shapes, sizes, and enamel colors. 200 Lexington Avenue, Suite 407B, New York, NY 10016; 212-683-7442. circle 364

Channels: One can hardly imagine a cabinet with more savoir faire than the Juxa collection's Secretaire. It's made of oak, with leather detailing and pocket doors. 3 New King's Road, London SW6 4SB, U.K.; 44-20-7371-0301. circle 365

Ted Boerner: These inventive nesting tables are a Rubik's cube of chunky wood slabs and thin planes of acrylic. The group can be configured in several ways and is especially useful anywhere that space is at a premium—contract or residential. Available in walnut, white oak, cherry, or white ash. 10 Arkansas Street, Studio G, San Francisco, CA 94107; 415-487-0110. circle 366

Alinea Design Objects: Belgian designer Leo Aerts's Visibile display case has a quietly elegant presence that won't compete with the objects showcased. Finely detailed, the piece is made of tempered glass and silver-lacquered steel. 169 Stationsstraat, B-2440 Geel, Belgium; 32-14-586569. circle 367

Seri: The ingenious dining table 07, which features an anodized-aluminum frame with two planes of floating hardwood, treats wood as the breathing material it is. The space between metal and wood allows the latter to contract and expand with seasonal humidity. The table's long, thin shape is based on a traditional refectory table, providing both an intimate dining experience and a large area of usable space. 318 Homer Street, 506, Vancouver, British Columbia V6B 2V2, Canada; 604-328-4892. circle 368

USM: The company's newest modular system is eleven22. An aluminum frame acts as the core element, integrating height-adjustable work surfaces, room dividers, acoustical panels, and storage units. Ease of adaptation suits changing office needs. 28-30 Greene Street, New York, NY 10003; 800-442-5537. circle 369

Halcon: Landscape, an extensive collection of coordinating furniture, seems rather smart and stylish to us. Its central element is an aluminum screen wall to which the other pieces—work surfaces, storage units, lighting, accessories—can attach and access power. Freestanding and mobile units and translucent dividers complete the picture. 1811 Second Avenue NW, Stewartville, MN 55976; 507-533-4235. circle 370

Allsteel: Mulberry Paper brings a bit of the organic world into the decidedly inorganic corporate realm. Created for the tiles of the company's Terrace systems, the material is actually made from natural mulberry fiber suspended between recyclable resin sheets. Available in 10 subtly colored translucent shades. 2210 Second Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761; 563-262-4800. circle 371

Pallucco: The Italian manufacturer of Workterminal claims that it is perfect for future generations. Americans (surprise) want it right now. Accommodating a multitude of communication and media needs, Workterminal's compact scale makes it suitable for office or domestic use. Available in 47- or 59-inch desktop sizes and a choice of aluminum painted finishes. Property, 14 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10013; 917-237-0123. circle 372

Angela Adams: As its name implies, Bed is elemental—but designer Sherwood Hamill manages to create a piece that is anything but basic. Featuring a gracefully angled headboard, Bed has a distinct edginess. Available in cherry (shown) or in ash, maple, or walnut with solid wood legs. 273 Congress Street, Portland, ME 04101; 800-255-9454. circle 373

Gary Hutton Design: A-4 is part of a series of solid bronze tables. We find the hard-edged simplicity and sculptural directness appealing. Standard measurements are 16 inches wide by 16 inches deep by 20 inches high, but custom sizes can also be ordered. 375 Rhode Island Street, San Francisco, CA 94103; 415-626-2180. circle 374

Martin Pierce: The Zen table is part of the Hedgerow collection, inspired by the English gardening technique of intricately weaving branches. Crafted of chiseled dark golden walnut with a medium-walnut inset top, the table measures 60 inches wide by 14 inches deep by 16 inches high. 5433 West Washington Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90016; 323-939-5929. circle 375

Nemschoff: The Riva grouping includes this classically modernist end table featuring detailing in brushed stainless steel. 909 North Eighth Street, P.O. Box 129, Sheboygan, WI 53082; 800-203-8916. circle 376

Shaver/Melahn Studios: The dignified Lee sideboard is constructed in a rich, chocolate-stained ash and measures 84 inches wide by 21 inches deep by 42 inches high. 114 West 17th Street, New York, NY 10011; 212-366-09783. circle 377

Modénature: You'd never guess what's inside the rather serious looking Han TV cabinet when its retractable doors are closed—ideal for those who find the TV an obtrusive design element but still enjoy the occasional sitcom. Made of oak with nickel hardware, the cabinet contains two drawers and two niches. Interieurs, 151 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-343-0800. circle 378

Inwood: The 2400 Encore collection of case goods features solid construction in maple, walnut, or cherry and is available in 14 finishes. P.O. Box 646, Jasper, IN 47547; 800-786-6121. circle 379

John Boone: The Marhaba low table from the Lockwood-Boone collection has a solid brass base with a dark bronzed-brass finish and a wood top covered in antiqued parchment with a satin lacquer finish. 1059 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10021; 212-758-0012. circle 380

SMED: FFWD is a new desking system whose simple design, large cabling capacity, and options for multiple flat-screen monitors are ideal for call centers, brokerage houses, and security stations. 10 Smed Lane SE, Calgary, Alberta T2C 4T5, Canada; 800-661-9163. circle 381

Dessin Fournir: The Spivey coffee table is a new take on the classic Parsons table. The top and sides are constructed of oak and encased in a gilded forged-steel frame. Shown here in an ebonized finish with 22-karat gold cerusing. 308 West Mill, Plainville, KS 67663; 785-434-2777. circle 382

People on Design: With its strong lines, Zipper is not a bed to be taken lightly. It's shown here in dark stained oak with a headboard featuring a leather inset. 360 North Midler Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13206; 315-432-0466. circle 383

Todd Hase: The Madeline cocktail table is sleek, ultrachic, and well proportioned—in other words, it suits us perfectly. We're just mad for the surprise pairing of Macassar ebony with acrylic. 261 Spring Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-334-3568. circle 384

Eric Brand Furniture: With substantial wooden slabs supported by distinctive bullet-shape legs, the Arbor series console and coffee table suggest a certain zaftig grace. Shown in oak with a coffee-bean finish, the pieces are also available in custom materials and finishes. 1675 Rollins Road, Suite D2, Burlingame, CA 94010; 650-259-0207; www.ebstyle.com. Thomas Lavin, 8935 Beverly Boulevard, West Hollywood, CA 90048; 310-278-2456. circle 385

Gérard: Inspired by an antique Japanese piece, the Colby table features mortise-and-tenon legs that taper subtly. It measures 43 inches in diameter and has a height of 12 inches. Custom sizes and finishes are available. 308 West Mill, Plainville, KS 67663; 785-434-2777. circle 386

Niedermaier: Designer Sean Scott's S3 console can function as a writing table or a wall console and also makes a bold sculptural statement. In polished acrylic and stainless steel, the piece measures 60 inches wide by 18 inches deep by 30 inches high. 401 North Western Avenue, Chicago, IL 60612; 312-492-9400. circle 387