AREA

For most people a subway commute is anything but interesting, not so for Marc Thorpe. The idea for his latest creation, Area tables for Bernhardt Design, occurred while riding the subway. States Thorpe, "The form for Area actually came to me while looking at a New York subway train window. The rhythm of the interconnecting window frames was really interesting, and I felt this seamless repetition would be perfect for creating the framework of a table." "Occasional tables are challenging for most designers," says Creative Director of Bernhardt Design Jerry Helling, "because designing small tables requires a great deal of restraint. It is similar to the old adage about well-mannered children; they should be seen and not heard." Area, with its quiet simplicity, is the embodiment of this principle. It was created to assimilate discretely with many different design styles and let the art work and more dominant furniture pieces set the tone. "To me, it was about designing tables that enhance their surroundings and aren't competitive or don't try to alter the context of a room," adds Thorpe. Vertical and horizontal elements flowing from one intersection to the next without interruption comprise the structure of the Area table. A streamlined sleekness is created by combining convex and concave bevels in each of the structural elements. The use of almost imperceptible joinery contributes to the feeling of fluidity in its overall appearance. Crafted in solid walnut, Area tables can be purchased in a natural oiled finish or in a range of paint finishes. The tables are available as both occasional tables and coffee tables in several shapes and sizes.