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10 Console table designs that weave art and functionality together
The Atmos Console table by Brodie Neil (left), the ‘Continent’ Console by Xavier Lust (middle) and the Organic Console by Nada Debs (right)
Image: Courtesy of Angela Moore for Brodie Neil, Xavier Lust and Nada Debs
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10 Console table designs that weave art and functionality together

Featuring console table designs by the Nilufar Gallery, Visionnaire, Nada Debs among others, STIR brews a series of select console tables for a modern interior setting.

by Ayushi Mathur
Published on : Oct 31, 2022

A console table dons many hats of functionality, it is the perfect drop-off point for car keys and wallets, showcases photos and collectables, shapeshifts as a decorative bookcase, makes any room visually appealing, and also hosts the interior decor for any space by being a compact alternative to colossal tables. Over the last few years, the addition of a contemporary console table into any contextual interior design has been on the rise. The idea of incorporating a contemporary console table next to the entrance or in a narrow corridor is rapidly becoming a common design practice, though its use has long been determined. Historically speaking, many Victorian households witnessed the use of wooden console tables for placing food and crockery which were paired with a mirror to shapeshift as a vanity. Intricately carved French console tables with bone inlays are also used as sculptural art pieces in lavish living areas.

In a relatively recent context, many designers and brands have opened up to the idea of a console table design as an experimental approach to express their design abilities. While American artist Chris Schanck’s Grotto Console table was designed as a contemporary talisman of the netherworld, Andres Gutierrez’s Jaguarcito Console materialises the look of a jaguar and Nada Deb’s Organic Console table speaks volumes on local craftsmanship.

STIR has curated a selection of contemporary coffee tables from iconic brands, industrial designers and galleries…

Grotto Console: Pomegranate by Chris Schanck

The Grotto Console table by Chris Schanck
The Grotto Console table by Chris Schanck Image: Courtesy of MAD Museum and Chris Schanck

It is an understatement that American artist Chris Schanck just designs furniture. Owing to Schanck’s highly imaginative mind and visionary approach towards fabricating his thoughts in sculptural furniture pieces, he is often addressed as the ‘special effects artist of furniture design.’ Schanck’s Grotto console: Pomegranate is another example of his otherworldly design approach that is currently being presented at his solo exhibition titled Off-World at the MAD museum, New York. The red-coloured table presents a contrasting look of a futuristic table while also looking like an artefact from ancient civilisations. The blood-red table is part of Schanck’s Grotto series of furniture comprising a Grotto mirror and a sculptural stone candelabra.

Jaguarito Console Table

Jaguarcito Console presented by the Objective Gallery
Jaguarcito Console presented by the Objective Gallery Image: Courtesy of Objective Gallery
The Jaguarcito console table draws inspiration from a pouncing jaguar
The Jaguarcito console table draws inspiration from a pouncing jaguar Image: Courtesy of Objective Gallery

Designed by Andres Gutierrez of A-G Studio, the Jaguarcito console draws inspiration from the wild beasts jaguar. The solid oak four-legged console displayed at the Objective Gallery,, with hives all over the body and solid sphere legs, appears to assume the pouncing position of a Jaguar. As the epics narrate, jaguars were worshipped as deities in the Aztec civilisation and were known for their swiftness and ability to transcend between the worlds, carrying the sacred image of the Aztec god of the mountains. The designer weaves an enticing narrative around the console table design and crafted it as a sculptural addition to any interior space.

Infinity Console by Laurameroni Design Collection

The Infinity Console by Laurameroni Design Collection
The Infinity Console by Laurameroni Design Collection Image: Courtesy of Laurameroni Design Collection

The Italy-based designer Cesare Arosio designed the Infinity console for the Luxury Italian brand Laurameroni Design Collection, as part of their Infinity collection. The sinuously curved console table design emanates an artistic outlook adorned in the Lacca 61 wood varnish and an overlapping geometric honeycomb pattern. This console revisits the distinctive feature of the angular alveolar base and accentuates it with a handful of gentle curves. Laurameroni’s console is designed to accentuate both private and public spaces, as a spectacular work of art and to outfit modern and eclectic surroundings.

The Organic Console by Nada Debs

The Organic Console Table by Nada Debs
The Organic Console Table by Nada Debs Image: Courtesy of Nada Debs Studio

The Organic Console designed by Nada Debs embodies her appreciation for contemporary style and slow craftsmanship. The organic table's innate Cedar Wood surface corresponds to a rustic feel, accentuated by round legs, inlaid with a spiralling mother-of-pearl pattern. This console table design was inspired by the raw and exquisite patterns observed in nature. Each console is meticulously sanded by trained artisans, retaining the wood's inherent flaws and allowing the mother-of-pearl legs to protrude through the top. No two pieces are exactly the same because of the organic wood and flexible legs.

‘Continent’ Console by Xavier Lust

The ‘Continent’ Console by Xavier Lust
The ‘Continent’ Console by Xavier Lust Image: Courtesy of Nilufar Gallery

The limited edition Continent Console by Xavier Lust emanates a contemporary outlook driven by a minimalist design and a creative approach. Presented with Nilufar Gallery, the console table design is a limited edition design available in twelve pieces numbered and signed. The console is originally designed in stainless steel but is available in custom sizes, an aluminium frame and a satin brass finish.

M1 Credenza by John Eric Byers

M1 Credenza by John Eric Byers
M1 Credenza by John Eric Byers Image: Courtesy of John Eric Byers

John Eric Byers is recognised for his artistically inspired design aesthetic that combines simplicity, emotional expression, and modern elegance. The brass and maple wood M1 Credenza is designed in a solid black colour and formed like a stool carrying four boxes. The console table design, which is a part of a storage collection, resembles a segmented storage unit morphed into a basic artwork by its textured outlook. Byers often encapsulates clean geometric shapes in his design that capture his neo-futuristic design vibe.

Lego Console by Draga & Aurel for Visionnaire

The Lego Console by Visionnaire
The Lego Console by Visionnaire Image: Courtesy of Visionnaire

The Italian designer duo Draga & Aurel designed the Lego Console for Visionnaire as an artistic attempt at capturing the magnetic aura of the luxury furniture brand. The concrete and aluminium console table designed by Visionnaire offers a concrete section with an aged look and is finished in a matte-black colour. The aluminium section is sand cast, textured, polished, and lacquered by hand in any colour of the chosen metal finish with the option of being installed in three different configurations.

Azo-X Console by François Bauchet

The Azo-X Console
The Azo-X Console Image: Courtesy of Galerie kreo

The Azo-X console table by François Bauchet is made from a new material consisting of sand, concrete, and resin. The fresh design material has a mineral aspect that makes it lighter than stone and smooth to the touch. Available in intense brick colour and a pearl white shade, the console table is presented at the Paris-based contemporary design gallery, Galerie kreo. The simple design of the console table with the clean red colour, adds a psychological impact on any interior setting that it contributes to. The strong design language and the red colour are associated with ambition, initiative, and perseverance, making it a great option for home offices and creative spaces.

Atmos Console by Brodie Neill

The Atmos Console table by Brodie Neill
The Atmos Console table by Brodie Neill Image: Courtesy of Angela Moore

Displayed as part of the sustainable design collection titled Material Consciousness, the Atmos table has been designed by Australian designer Brodie Neill. It was displayed at the Sotheby’s auction house in London earlier this year along with his Torso stools, Altitude chair, Flotsam coffee table, Jetsam dining table and the Gyro Second Wave sculpture in Ocean Terrazzo. The console table design, fabricated by Neil, is very minimalist and uncomplicated. It is built in a highly durable structure with an inner surface appearing as a reflective mirror and an outer surface that lends a satin metallic finish.

The Wave Console by Lukas Cober

The Wave Console Table by Lukas Cober
The Wave Console Table by Lukas Cober Image: Courtesy of Studio Cober

The Aachen-based industrial designer Lukas Cober showcases his idiosyncratic design practice through the Wave console table that he exclusively created using coloured resin. The simple table observes an expansive essence of the material while being sinuously crafted in a fluid outlook. The console table offers clean lines and organic shapes, adding a certain sculptural finesse to every space it is fashioned in.

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