# Ascending Stair Surfaces The Mezzanino Coffee Table Takes Several Steps Towards Playful Design By Amelia Roblin | Published 2012-10-11 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mezzanino-coffee-table References: [designspotter](http://www.designspotter.com/product/2012/10/Mezzanino.html) & [mist-o](http://www.mist-o.com/works/2012/salone.html) Furniture design and architecture have a great deal in common, but one rarely sees the relationship laid out quite as clearly as it is in the Mezzanino Coffee Table. The Mist-O piece might easily have been a simple rectangular surface supported by four legs, but instead, the creator conceived a more [sculptural object](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/interactive-transformation-table) with an unexpected formal character. A broad upper plane accommodates a variety of objects, from decorations and reading material, to electronics. One side of the monolithic side table has, however, been manipulated into a [tiny staircase](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/totto-step), modeling a modest living room movable into something of a playful podium. The treads on the Mezzanino Coffee Table can be treated like convenient ledges and undoubtedly enjoyed by your [domestic cat](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pawstairs). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 0.7/10 - Popularity: 13% | Activity: 1% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Scupltural Furniture Design:** Designers are exploring more experimental and playful furniture designs that transform functional pieces into sculptural artforms. - **Incorporating Movement in Furniture:** Designers are incorporating movement into furniture pieces, adding elements like staircases to create dynamic, playful and functional pieces. - **Multifunctional Furniture:** Furniture pieces are combining multiple functions, creating space-saving and versatile pieces that can serve various purposes in different environments. ### Who This Affects Most - **Furniture Design:** Furniture designers can explore more experimental designs that incorporate movement and playful elements to create eye-catching and unique pieces. - **Interior Design:** Interior designers can look for dynamic and multifunctional furniture pieces to incorporate into their designs, adding versatility and interest. - **Architecture:** Architects can explore new ways of incorporating playful and dynamic furniture pieces into their building designs to add interest and functionality to a space. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Curvaceous Animalistic Coffee Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bookpet-coffee-table.md) - [Möbius Strip-Inspired Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mbelius-coffee-table.md) - [Statuesque Marble Coffee Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mawe-low-coffee-table.md) - [Dynamic Bookend Lighting Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/stair-table.md) - [Perplexingly Angular Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tadashi-side-table.md) - [Topographic Wooden Coffee Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/topographic-coffee-table.md) - [Fluid Topographic Coffee Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dune-table.md) - [Intersecting Two-Part Side Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/shaolin-side-table.md) - [Artful Coffee Table Concepts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vertushka.md)