The new Splash coffee table, part of designer Edward Johnson's Ripples Collection, is captivating at first sight. The partial sphere made of smooth, light blue bird's-eye maple is immediately attractive, and its rippled surface is all the more fascinating. However, after a moment's thought, it becomes clear that the coffee table is far from practical. Indeed, Johnson designed it as a playful comment on designers putting form over function.
To be sure, Johnson's Ripple Collection is all about functionality. Though the Splash table isn't function on its own, it's being sold with an optional glass top that will ride on the crests of the waves, allowing for a flat surface instead of the rolling troughs that make up the pure design.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Sculptural Furniture
- Exploring new forms and shapes in furniture design to create visually appealing pieces.
- Playful Design
- Using design as a means to make playful and thought-provoking statements.
- Functionality Vs. Aesthetics
- Challenging the balance between functionality and visual appeal in design.
Where This Applies
- Furniture Design
- Opportunity to innovate by creating furniture pieces that push the boundaries of traditional design and provoke conversations.
- Interior Design
- Chance to incorporate unique and visually captivating furniture pieces into interior spaces, creating a statement and enhancing the overall aesthetic.
- Art and Sculpture
- Intersection of art and design, using furniture as a medium to create visually stunning sculptural pieces.
