Furniture

Staff -- Interior Design, 5/31/2007 12:00:00 AM

Materialise

With a title that sounds like a filename, you wouldn't expect organic qualities from ONE_SHOT.MGX. But as the polyamide nylon of Patrick Jouin's stool is lifted from the center, it collapses completely, like a soft umbrella. The improvisational item is produced using SLS techniques that lend a soft, powdery appearance. Wexler Gallery, 201 North 3rd Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106; 215-923-7030; wexlergallery.com. circle 530

Niedermaier

The hourglass figure has always had a sensual dimension, especially in the sinuous shape of the Avalon table. Luke Wong walks a thin line between soft and sharp, as the curvy fiberglass body is joined to the thin glass top. Finishes include a high-gloss gel coat or custom colors. 400 North Oakley Boulevard, Chicago, IL 60612; 312-492-9400; niedermaier.com. circle 535

Teknion

They'll be no hiding behind your desk in this office. The Optos seamless glass wall system frames sprawling panels of safety glass with steel U-channels and tubes. It also comes with a laundry list of eco-friendly benefits, from minimal use of PVC in manufacturing, to parts that are portable and reusable after installation. 350 Fellowship Road, Mount Laurel, NJ 08054; 856-596-7608; teknion.com. circle 531

Robert Austin Gonzales

Turned wood has helped crafstmen flaunt their expertise for generations, but it's given a new-century spin in the 4Lcombo dining table.With a glass top assuring an unfettered view, the turnings are updated with highly polished lacquer finishes—striking in super white, but equally so in mink, soft sand, or custom colors. 61 Pearl Street, Number 404, Brooklyn, NY 11201; 718-596-7960; robertaustingonzalez.com. circle 532

Laurie Beckerman Design

Sweet inspiration takes the designer to the candy store, and leaves with a Lollypop. The stainless steel base of the table holds a 7-inch stainless steel ball that is embedded within the liquid-clear resin tabletop, creating optical illusions as light bounces off the ball. Available in tangerine, but there are many other flavors to tempt. 500 Second Avenue, Suite 19-E, New York, NY 10016; 212-889-1287; lauriebeckerman.com. circle 534

Peter Mann Studios

Imagine the hard-boiled reporter of yore asleep at his desk. That might help to introduce Mono, a nightstand that translates the industrial feel of vintage office designs for a much more private space. The 16-inch square steel form takes a rubbed lacquer finish, while the honed edge outlines an open shelf. 400 South Jefferson Street, Orange, NJ 07050; 201-217-1183; mannpeter.com. circle 533

Jane Hamley Wells

Who's that behind those Foster Grants? It's the D-Fly Coffee Table, part of the Sunglass group of outdoor furniture. A stainless steel frame holds the acrylic tabletop (or lens, if you prefer). In addition to the triangular shape shown, Sunglass has square and round correlates, including dining tables. 1512 North Hoyne Avenue, Chicago, IL 60622; 773-227-4988; janehamleywells.com. circle 536

André Joyau

The new world order encounters an adversary as the Disorganized Leg Table enters the scene. A calm walnut top hovers dangerously close to the haphazard arrangement of stainless steel at the base. At 30 by 48 by 30 inches, it's an obvious choice for similarly scattered breakfasts. 20 Van Dam Street, Brooklyn, NY 11222; 718-963-2616; andrejoyau.com. circle 537

Uhuru Design

City living can make you feel Fenced In, but Jason Horvath's coffee table shouldn't cause much claustrophobia. The limited edition design is made from repurposed cast iron fence sections, which are refashioned into a new fence shape that in turn is based on an Art Deco pattern. Ask about custom sizes. 160 Van Brunt Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231; 718-855-8082; uhurudesign.com. circle 538

Silas Seandel Studio

It's official: The cocooning phenomenon is over. How else to explain Monarch, patterned on the butterfly's post-pupa days? The dining table's flourish comes from bronze with a polychrome patina that holds an inset glass top. Finishes include brass, bronze, steel, and copper. Sizes are limitless, and there's a cocktail version, too. 551 West 22nd Street, New York, NY 10011; 212-645-5286; silasseandel.com.circle 540

Woodkraft International

Mobile-minded audio aficionados should welcome Audio Porte, a platform for a number of components that all plug into a central port. As a result, the unit rolls on casters from one location to another, requiring just a single outlet. Painted finishes on the medium-density fiberboard include solid suede, crystalline, and mosaic. 1173-A Second Avenue, New York, NY 10021; 866-609-6070; woodkraft.net. circle 539

Arco

Haute haberdashery seems a not-too-distant cousin of Coniq, a slenderized table by Willem Van Ast that pairs a solid color top with pinpoint legs. The solid wood table uses Olive Ash, cherry, oak, or American walnut, and is accompanied by lacquered legs. Like a custom-made suit, this piece comes with choices: rectangular, round, or elliptical. Apartment Zero, 406 7th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20004; 202-628-4067; apartmentzero.com. circle 545

Haziza

It was bound to happen—furniture taking style cues from the desktop. Shlomi Haziza's Anika end tables showcase the acrylic specialist's spectrum of color choices—including tangerine and fig—within opaque white frames, as if PC monitors had been colorized and functionalized. Frosted inside for maximum light dispersement, Anika can also be ordered unlit or as a cocktail table. 8421 Lankershim Boulevard, Sun Valley, CA 91352; 818-252-4608; hstudio.com. circle 541

La Lune Collection

Log cabin fever strikes hard in a Bunk Bed by Mario Costantini, but you'll be relieved to know that clearcutting isn't involved. This frank and rustic design uses only fast-growing and sustainable woods, in this case, willow and poplar. Manufacturing methods are equally earth-friendly. In natural, or 22 other finishes. 930 East Burleigh Street, Milwaukee, WI 53212; 414-263-5300; lalunecollection.com. circle 544

Three H Furniture Systems

The new Gallery Reception system, like its manufacturer, comes in threes. Open Space is tailored for the company entrance or resource center, Administrative Space facilitates high-function reception for medical offices and the like, and Private Space targets the law office or corporate suite. All are offered in 30 wood-finish laminates or solid colors. 156462 Clover Valley Road, New Liskeard, ON, Canada P0J 1P0;800-767-5374; three-h.com. circle 542

Design Lab

Please don't eat the daisies—rest your drink on them instead, with the Botanist occasional series. Brandon Lynne and Dario Antonioni have fashioned several variations on a cocktail table, end table, and bench. The lightweight aluminum forms with water jet-cut patterns can be covered in a powder coat, including a red or white powder coat for the outdoors, or wood veneer, like Rift Oak, for the inside. Orange 22, 125 West 4th Street, Suite 102, Los Angeles, CA 90013; 213-972-9922; orange22.com. circle 543

Oso Industries

Who knew that concrete could travel so well? Clodagh does, at least since she joined forces with Eric Weil to create the Galan Taper Roller. The mobile, multifunctional items are composed of polished concrete with hidden casters. They're produced in small, medium, and large versions, and in five colors: snow, natural, rust, Storm, and blood orange. 647 Myrtle Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11205; 347-365-0389; osoindustries.com. circle 546

DDC Domus Design Collective

Cory Grosser moves to new depths with Intersection, a 39-inch-square table rising just above your feet to a bantam 9 inches. He's toying with scale, but also playing with structure, ending with an abstract form that feels die-cut. Rendered in .16-inches-thick aluminum, this piece comes in a white lacquered standard finish. 181 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 212-685-0800; ddcnyc.com. circle 550

Antoine Proulx

Beds have had architectural aspirations before—remember the pier wall beds of the '70's? But in the hands of Marc Desplaines, the Symmetrical High Bed makes good on the promise. Upholstered panels dress the headboard, here flanked by freestanding French Series nightstands. In king, California king, and queen sizes. 3320 North 44th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85018; 800-457-0756; antoineproulx.com. circle 547

Meld USA

Lend an E to William Gordon for the title of his table, Sevn. The handpolished cast base utilizes the manufacturer's proprietary Extremeconcrete material as the vehicle for five standard colors—natural, slate, Swiss, Southern Mud, and Retro—and three premium colors—honeydew, blue sky, or Koke. Glass tops are 22 by 54-inch rectangle or 42-inch round. Also available in custom colors. 3001-103 Spring Forest Road, Raleigh, NC 27616; 919-790-1749; meldusa.com. circle 549

Heller

Who but Frank Gehry would designa cube that isn't really a cube? UltraCube represents the evolution of his previous Right Twist model, with the added bonus of new technology and materials. Three-ply urethane is covered in silver automotive paint, permitting it to sit unscathed on either side of the patio door. 149 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10010; 212-685-4200; helleronline.com. circle 548

Bernhardt Design

Thin surfaces and slender supports help the aptly named Outline group of office furnishings to evoke the silhouette of a one-dimensional rendering. The PearsonLloyd studio has created an airy, orderly feel through the use of maple, cherry or walnut, in nine standard finishes, which are pitted against aluminum accents. 1839 Morganton Boulevard, Lenoir, NC 28645; 828-758-9811; bernhardtdesign.com. circle 554

Dune

As bold as its provocative name suggests, Nick Dine's F.U. Table is a clean and powerful statement. A white oak veneer with a matte finish, it can be stained natural, or dark brown, and has a high gloss polyurethane top. Available in a 43 by 24-inch rectangle or a 39-inch square; both are 16 inches high. 88 Franklin Street, New York, NY 10013; 212-925-6171; dune-ny.com. circle 551

Flou

Minimalist purity takes on a soft, fluid flavor in the Alma bed. Paolo Piva snubs detail to emphasize the gently sloping shape of the cold-formed iron base, containing two separately adjustable slatted mattress supports that open like a book. Fabric or leather covers, which are completely removable, dress the frame. 12 Via Luigi Cadorna, Casella Postale 163, 20036 Meda, Milan, Italy; 888-356-8233; flou.it. circle 552

Councill

John Black is famous for latter-day takes on period furnishings, and his favorite weapon is color. The exterior of the Macassar ebony Chest hints at this fancy, but when opened, the brilliant Cornflower finish leaves no doubt. There are five standard finishes for the exterior: Caversham, Dover, Richmond, Aubergine, and Filbert; and 37 contrasting colors for the interior. PO Box 398, Denton, NC 27239; 336-859-2155; councill.com. circle 555

Speke Klein

Colin Harris contemplated the Japanese wooden puzzle, and his thoughts turned to Think, a table supported by an interlocking center joint that puts wood grain on display. Black walnut or white oak may be specified with clear lacquered finishes. At 60 inches in diameter, it can facilitate dining or conferencing. 285 Elm Street East, Durham, ON, Canada N0G 1R0; 519-369-1082; spekeklein.com. circle 556

Interior51

If accent furniture had a hall of fame, there'd be a wing devoted to Cubes. This well-traveled form is recharged with diversity. With pieces built of composite wood, under laminates of Chemetal, metal, or wood veneer—Treefrog is the unexpected species. They are 16 or 20 inches, with 6 wood options, including ebony and zebrawood, and 4 metal options, including brushed aluminum and ribbon aluminum. 10 finish choices are available. 39 O'Neill Street, Easthampton, MA 01027; 800-807-7341; interior51.com. circle 559

Blu Dot

Arresting wood grains do all the talking for Nick, a new dining table with an ever-so-slight splay. The plywood top can be covered with either plain-sliced walnut or cherry veneer, and the bent-ply legs are standard. The tabletop measures 74 ½ inches by 34 ½ inches. 3236 California Street Northeast, Minneapolis, MN 55418; 612-782-1844; bludot.com. circle 557

Berman Rosetti

High-tech electronics escape to a naturalist retreat in the Tansu modular entertainment system. There's Asian rusticity in the clean lines of Nick Berman and Gennaro Rosetti's platforms, cabinets and shelves, which can be reconfigured into numerous arrangements. Choose from 23 wood finishes, including Ceruse walnut and African oak, in addition to four finishes for metal components. 1301 Tigertail Road, Los Angeles, CA 90049;310-476-6242; bermanrosetti.com. circle 558

Artecnica

Concentric circles establish the dominant visual motif of Stephen Burks' Tatu occasional tables, particularly winning on tabletops that resemble vintage fan grills. The coffee table and side table are produced in South Africa of galvanized steel with polished powder coating in white or red. Use them indoors or out. 508 South San Vicente Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90048; 323-655-6551; artecnicainc.com. circle 560

The Alpha Workshops

The classic Parsons table proves to be a canvas for a wealth of decorative and faux finishes, including the distressed blue of Negoro Nuri. Lamps and wallpaper are equally varied from the organization, which trains and employs people living with HIV/AIDS in the decorative arts. 245 West 29th Street, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10001; 212-594-7320; alphaworkshops.org. circle 561

Nanimarquina

Nani Marquina and Richard Ferrer collaborated on Tapete, an accent table that references the pair's background in rug and textile design. The patterned tabletop is lacquered medium-density fiberboard and sits on a painted iron base. Standing about 18 inches, the table is available in red, black, brown/gray, or black-on-white. 10 Església, #3, 08024 Barcelona, Spain; 34-932-376-465; nanimarquina.com. circle 564

Umbra

Would you like Karim Rashid with your coffee? His coffee table from the Magino family sends waves of clear acrylic across the carpet. The 39-inch-long design boasts two handy tuck-away spots where magazines can run, but can't hide. There's also a matching bar stool, short stool, and side table. 1705 Broadway, Buffalo, NY 14212; 800-387-5122; umbra.com. circle 562

Roche-Bobois

You couldn't blame thirsty puppies, or hungry chip dippers, for mistaking the Eclipse cocktail table for their favorite bowl. A round, laminated oak insert is placed within Alpi's composite material with an oak veneer. Sacha Lakic also designed an Eclipse buffet and china cabinet, and all are found in the Les Contemporains collection. 200 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10016; 800-972-8375; rochebobois.com. circle 563

Maxine Snider

The inspiration was the French escritoire, or portable writing desk. But the Varenne writing table inspires you to stay. The exterior is available in Macassar ebony, walnut, or mahogany veneers, and in three standard finishes: medium Macassar ebony, smoked walnut, or standard mahogany. Nine bone or black lacquered drawers are nestled inside, accompanied by a leather desktop, also available in bone or black. 116 West Illinois Street, Suite 7-E, Chicago, IL 60610; 312-527-4170; maxinesniderinc.com. circle 565

Straight Line Designs

Stilt-walking style comes home from the circus in Judson Beaumont's Daddy Long Legs tables. The runt of the litter is 48 inches tall, but the largest reaches up to 84. Also shown in 54 and 60-inch versions, the solid maple and maple veneer tables may be stained, laminated, clear-coated, or chromed. 1000 Parker Street, Vancouver, BC, Canada V6A 2H2; 604-251-9669; straightlinedesigns.com. circle 569

Altura Furniture

When the typical dining table extends, the requisite leaf dropping doesn't exactly excite. But as 72-inch-long Oblique grows to 84 inches with one leaf and 96 with two, the very structure of Jeff Behnke and Roland Zehetbauer's design undergoes a horizontal transformation. Available in natural walnut and 21 other standard finishes. 3500 North Mississippi Avenue, Portland, OR 97227; 503-288-2228; alturafurniture.com. circle 566

Desiron

Understated sophistication distinguishes the Gramercy side table, which practically calls out for pairings. Frank Carfaro says Ludwig Mies van der Rohe influenced his effort, constructed of brass tubing and flack board, with a rosewood veneer top. There are nine metal finishes and 14 wood finishes, as well as coordinated tables and chairs. 151 Wooster Street, New York, NY 10012; 888-337-4766; desiron.com. circle 568

Hartcorn Furniture + Design

You've never seen another Dragonfly like this. But the desk indeed plays on the duality of motion and rest found in the flight of the insect that inspired it. Dramatically flared legs extend below the two-level, four-drawer surface. The blonde-tone cherry wood is offset with ebony and maple pulls. 212 South Street, Housatonic, MA 01236; 413-394-9955; hartcornfd.com. circle 567

Kartell

Philippe Starck and Eugeni Quitlet cleverly exploit the interplay between polished and transparent surfaces in Top Top. The clear polycarbonate legs are tapered and pleated, revealing chrome-plated steel cores. Top options are polyester lacquered white or black, wengé wood, or Durmast oak. Select from 62 and 75-inch lengths, or a 52-inch square top. 161 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 905, New York, NY 10013; 866-854-8823; kartell.it. circle 570

DYAD

Recollections of a 1998 prototype inspired the new Cross2 desk, but the coloration might also remind cookie fans of an inverted Oreo. Douglas Fanning frames the piece as an "investigation in surface, form and volume," resulting in sculptural functionality. Plywood creates the structure that is lacquered black inside, white outside. 14 Verona Street, Brooklyn, NY 11231; 718-797-2030; dyadny.com. circle 571

Eurotrend Furniture

Whether your passion are solids or patterns, there's a Prado coffee table to satisfy. T. Colzani created the 31 ½-inch round tables with colored glass tabletops in red, but also in white, black, Bordeaux, and brown, with a lacquered finish. An angular chrome frame holds the glass aloft. 275 Broome Street, New York, NY 10002; 800-689-1020; eurotrendusa.com. circle 573

Leland International

Bruce Sienkowski marks the spot with Otto, a new screen that screams for customization. Arc, four-leg, or wheeled base options come in three sizes—24 by 48 inches, 36 by 60 inches, or 48 by 72 inches—with black or platinum powder coat finishes. The covers are Xorel woven polyethylene, the high-performance fabric that's been recognized by Greenpeace as an earth-friendly alternative to vinyl. 5695 Eagle Drive Southeast, Grand Rapids, MI 49512; 800-859-7510; lelandinternational.com. circle 572

Wüd Furniture Design

Varying heights help accentuate the mix of media in the Tri-Color Table. The 48 by 20-inch surface blends Rift white oak, lacquered medium-density fiberboard, and hammered and clad lead in an unfinished arrangement, with brushed aluminum legs. A variety of woods, including Santos Rosewood, walnut, maple, mahagony, and cherry, and colors, such as green, cream, blue, orange, and red await. 11 Hope Street, Ground Floor, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-486-7952; wudfurniture.com. circle 578

Nueva Linea

Finding that favorite novel just became a lot more difficult. Prominent within the LUR living room configuration is an expansive library wall in oak—also available in teak, natural cherry, or natural beech—with beige lacquered storage compartments. Electronics are also welcome. There are several wood and lacquer finishes, as well as translucent or smoked glass components. Olalde-Urrestilla, 20730 Azpeitia, Spain; 34-943-814525; nuevalinea.es. circle 574

Robert & Robert

The furniture importer known primarily for classic traditional styles has stretched its stylistic identity in recent years. Witness Randy Culler's Side Table in Macassar ebony veneer, a reinterpretation of Art Deco-style cigarette tables. But where ashtrays are verboten, a bowl of macadamias will suffice. PO Box 398, 1156 North Main Street, Denton, NC 27239; 336-859-2155; robertandrobert.com. circle 575

Milder Office

Students keep changing, and now the study area will change with them. The Convertible Study Carrel switches from a table to a semi-private carrel by flipping the desktop upwards, revealing a secondary workspace. Pre-finished plywood, framed with aluminum tubing and connectors, is offered in natural, red, yellow, light brown, dark brown, and a variety of P-Laminate colors. 181 North 11th Street, Number 305, Brooklyn, NY 11211; 718-387-0767; milderoffice.com. circle 577

NotNeutral

The face of Tetra 2 looks like a puzzle, but that's not the kind of gaming they have in mind. The six-drawer chest was actually modeled after Tetris, the gamer classic. Constructed of pre-finished birch Euro ply, with drawers in non-VOC lacquered finishes of white, ozone blue, persimmon orange, or lotus green. 6824 Melrose Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90038; 800-270-6511; notneutral.com. circle 576

Lee Weitzman Furniture

It's good to be king, but even better to be CEO. The Ciello executive desk gives the chief a showpiece, an adaptation of a demilune cabinet in a ribbon sapeli veneer. The starburst pattern on top is inset with a black-granite writing surface, but may also be done in stone, leather, or wood. 233 West Huron Street, Suite 7, Chicago, IL 60610; 312-243-3009; leeweitzmanfurniture.com. circle 579

Allsteel

The Adept collection strives to simplify the design and installation of open-plan workstations, and their flexibility too. The cross-platform return and wing-wall dividers, desks, and storage areas can interface with all of the manufacturer's existing systems platforms and Reach integrated storage items, allowing quick updates to existing configurations. 2210 Second Avenue, Muscatine, IA 52761;888-255-7833; allsteeloffice.com. circle 580

Dar/Ran Furniture Industries

White metal and wood mingle in Wedgee, a built-to-order table desk from the Sierra XP collection. Maple, oak, cherry, Moabi, or walnut veneers are applied over recycled particle board, with 24 finish options that are anti-microbial, low formaldehyde, fire retardant and resistant to chemicals as powerful as bleach. 2402 Shore Street, High Point, NC 27263; 800-334-7891; darran.com. circle 583

Hellman-Chang

Z pedestal claimed the occasional furniture crown last spring at Interior Design's Best of Year awards. Now, the starry design spawns some sisters. The Z bedside table in American black walnut and curly maple is available in walnut, with an ebonized walnut alternative. The side table completes Z's trifecta. 205 West 79th Street, Suite 1-C, New York, NY 10024; 212-875-0424; hellman-chang.com. circle 581

Watson Furniture Group

The Miro private office program promises improved functionality, plus enough aesthetic appeal to retain the pickiest employee. The foundation is wood and particleboard that is covered with Greenguard-certified standard laminates, including Biltmore cherry. Recycled steel legs and bases represent just a few examples of the sustainable materials and processes that created the group. 26246 Twelve Trees Lane Northwest, Poulsbo, WA 98370; 800-426-1202; watsondesking.com. circle 582