Interview With the Designer: Coffee Table 01, 02 & 03
Nothing pulls a room together (and provides a home for your hot drinks and candles) quite like a coffee table. From materials to shape, proportions, grain and beyond, there's a lot that goes into getting your coffee table just right. So, we caught up with Swyft designer Beck to get the inside scoop on the thinking behind our coffee table collection, and how to choose the right one for you.
Talk us through your inspiration – what makes these coffee tables stand out amongst the rest?
Mid-century design was definitely the inspiration behind the styling, and we wanted to include some new materials on these products. In this instance, we’ve got some brushed brass detailing which is new to us.
These coffee tables were made to match the rest of our products in this range, but we decided that they were all so nice that we wanted to make them all at one. They feed into a bit of a retro feel and we thought it was right to add to the range as they really complement our Model 01 and Model 02 sofas.
What were your biggest design challenges with these coffee tables?
One of the biggest challenges was getting the packaging right. Because Coffee Table 03 can be packed down, but Coffee Table 01 and Coffee Table 02 can’t, so it was just working out how to do the packaging properly without the legs poking out in transit. But we got there in the end.
What are some unique features of the coffee tables that customers might not notice right away?
They’ve all got adjustable feet which are made out of brass, so if your floors are wonky or the coffee table is half on a rug, you can get it nice and level with ease.
Design-wise, what are you most proud of with these coffee tables?
I think Coffee Table 01 has a really nice drawer, but we’re looking to change it up soon by adding some more drawers. It’s been through a bit of a journey and we’ve tried it in so many different materials. So, to finally have it nailed down in all four colours has been a really big deal. A lot of time and hard work has gone into these products, but we’ve come out of it quite strong on the other side and it’s taught us a lot.
How do you ensure your designs remain timeless whilst staying relevant to customers?
We don’t like to launch things unless we feel like they’re beautiful. It’s a rule that it doesn’t pass the design stage unless everyone is in agreement that it’s a stunning piece.
We also try to use materials which are in agreement with most people’s aesthetics at home and we don’t like to overcomplicate the designs. There’s nothing on these coffee tables that’s offensive to the eye and we always try to ensure that our products will last for years. For instance, on these coffee tables, they all have solid wood edging to keep them in good condition and looking lovely in people’s homes for years to come.
Finally, what is your go-to coffee table accessory?
I really like a trinket tray. I like to put a little candle in there and a coaster for my hot drinks, plus, it’s a good way to stop the remote from going missing.
Explore the Coffee Table 01, 02 & 03 collection here.
