Houseman Side Table

The concept for the Houseman side table originated from the designer’s personal furniture needs. Seeking a compact entry hall table with storage, he envisioned a piece that could hold essentials like a phone, wallet, and keys. Additionally, for the lounge room, he required side tables that were both compact and easily movable, able to nestle against an armchair while discreetly storing coasters and multiple TV remotes.

A table with a soft, sculptural form was developed. A solid timber base, made by coopering lumber together like a barrel, is seamlessly connected to a spun metal bowl with a discretely hinged timber lid to a hidden storage compartment. The design was thoroughly interrogated, ensuring elegant details and convenient operability. Several material combinations were tested including coopered American Walnut and Tasmanian Oak bases, with spun aged copper, plated aluminium and polished stainless-steel bowls.

The Judith Neilson Institute of Journalism and Ideas required multiple side tables for their new group work space. The Houseman table was chosen for its versatility, serving as a compact, easily movable side table that also functions as a storage pedestal for staff and visitors. This decision presented an opportunity to move the Houseman tables into small-batch production, featuring a brass bowl and Oak base to complement the Institute’s interior material palette, thus bringing the concept to life.

Crafted from high-quality, durable materials, the Houseman table offers versatility as an elegant, compact side table and discreet storage unit. Its sculptural design serves a dual purpose, making it a functional and visually appealing addition to both domestic and commercial interiors, effectively reducing visual clutter.