The story behind a design icon and what’s next
These shapely pieces showcase why the feature coffee table and side table have become living area must-haves
THE ORIGINAL
Platner side & coffee tables
The form: A fine-steel rod structure in a subtle hourglass shape, topped with a circle of glass. What makes it special: Warren Platner was an American architect and interior designer and, while his architectural career was extensive, he is best known for his range of metal furniture, released by Knoll in 1966. Platner worked on these designs while working for Eero Saarinen’s office in the 1960s and set out to create something soft and decorative, utilising more rational manufacturing techniques rather than applied decoration. The result is a collection of two chairs, two stools and three tables, all featuring the same intricate nickel-plated bent-steel wire structure; even the side table requires more than a hundred rods and 300 welds to produce it. The ‘moiré’ effect of the closely spaced wires gives the design a remarkable lightness and sense of movement. The tables deliver instant luxury to any interior. As if the splendour of the polished steel or metallic bronze versions wasn’t enough, Knoll recently released an 18-karat gold-plated version, which is something, according to Knoll, that Platner had always intended. Expect to pay: The side table starts at $1520, and the coffee table is from $2830. Buy at: Dedece, dedece.com.
THE UP-AND-COMER
Walter Knoll ‘Oota’ tables by Eoos
The form: A circular glass-topped table constructed out of steel rods in a geometric pattern. What makes it special: The ‘Oota’ table was released in 2011 and was an immediate success, winning a highly respected Red Dot design award. Working the metal in a way reminscent of ’70s string art or graphic optical art, the technique creates a dynamic piece of furniture that gives spaces a light, energetic feeling. The tables are available in black- or brown-tinted glass on a gloss black or matt brown powder-coated frame or in polished stainless steel. The coffffee table comes in three sizes, the side table just one. Expect to pay: The side table starts at $1420 and the coffffee table starts at $1610. Buy at: Living Edge, livingedge.com.au.