“Cat’s Cradle” Coffee Table

“Cat’s Cradle” takes the typical pedestal table and puts a new slant on it (pun intended). Instead of all of the forces of the table coming down on a central column the member is offset, lending a level of dynamic interest to the piece. Originally conceived as a dining table, this coffee table combines the strength of steel and the illusion of weightlessness. Tension is used to hold up the table surface which, in combination with the transparency of the glass top, gives this table a free-floating visual effect. cables holding the surfaces parallel.

The top surface dimension is 24 by 48 inches. It stands 18 1/2 inches off of the ground, with feet underneath to make small adjustments. The compression member, made of 2 inch square steel tube, is held in position by tension cables which are connected back to the base.

The surfaces of the steel are left purposely rough to contrast with the highly polished glass surface, but are finished with a clear coat to keep them from rusting. This coffee table remains steady and strong even though tension is all that keeps it standing, making it truly unique as well as aesthetically stunning.

MATERIALS: steel and glass
DIMENSIONS: 2’-0” x 4‘ -0” x 18.5’ high
FINISH: rough steel, varathane