smow design spring Top 5: Tables

Lets get the tricky one out the way first. The Top 5 Tables from the smow design spring. In no particular order.

Liesmichl by Nils Holger Moormann for Moormann

Liesmichl by Nils Holger Moormann for Moormann.
If there’s one thing Moormann excel at it’s producing book friendly furniture. From the outrageous Bookinist over the classically overtoned Bookstabler and onto the book-friendly desk Kant, the Allgauer always seem to have readers at the forefront of their thoughts. And Liesmichl is no exception; space for books your going to read, a place to safely lay the book you are reading when you need/want a break, and a place for your drink and snacks. And if your not convinced check out Nils Holger Moorman on (smow)tube. Liesmichl. Top Table.

Tints by Jason Miller

Tints by Jason Miller.
As we were young scallywags causing mayhem and heartbreak wherever we got the chance, sweeties shone in a wonderfully opaque way. It may have been the memory of those care-free days that first drew our eye to Jason Millers Tints. Or it may have been the gorgeous way the legs fit into the frame, the optic caused by the wood/glass combination. Or it may have been Jake’s glasses. Regardless, however, of “why” we are glad we were drawn to Tints. Beautifully crafted, familiar and inviting in their styling and fresh in their design Tints are truly a table range that can and will provide pleasure in a number of setting. Tints. Top Table.

Flip by Alexander Seifried for Richard Lampert

Flip by Alexander Seifried for Richard Lampert.
If you were to hold us, upside down, over the edge of our balcony by our ankles, we would probably admit that Flip table standing in the corner of our balcony is just a few bits of metal welded together.
But then so is a 1954 Corvette Convertible, Blue Flame Six
With it’s wonderfully timeless elegance, smooth action and universal functionality Flip is a wonderful table for all who have limited space, know how to enjoy the space and don’t want to compromise when it comes to high-quality furniture. Flip. Top Table.

Adenike by Bao-Nghi Droste

Adenike by Bao-Nghi Droste
Admittedly less of a table, and more of an independent work station, Adenike nevertheless makes it into our Top Five Tables. Beautifully crafted, functional, practical and aesthetically charming Adenike is a product that truly achieves the aim the designer set themselves. And despite it’s intended function as a meeting point, we know that if we had one here in our Lower-East Plagwitz Village office we would spend a good deal reading the paper on it, sleeping on it and using it as a refuge from the daily chores. Adenike. Top Table.

ETR by Charles and Ray Eames from Vitra

ETR – Elliptical Table Rod Base by Charles and Ray Eames from Vitra
As if proof were needed that only new design can be good. In Milan we saw the Eamse’s ETR for the first time “live”, as it were, and were truly blown away by it. There is something about the height of the table – or possibly the height to length ratio – that gives the ETR a regency that few other pieces of furniture can ever hope to reach. Laissez fe surf-styling combined with Bauhaus bent steel elegance. Gorgeous. ETR. Top Table.

And a special mention goes to Table Fights. Hasta La Vista

(smow)offline: designer bookkeeping

A selection from the Vitra catalogue in the smow system USM Haller sideboard
(Photo Christin Bargel)

It must be a summer thing. Not only are our newspapers and magazines full of authors recommending their chums books, but first design observer portrayed their reading tips and then design sojourn brought out their “30 Essential Books for Industrial Designers”

Obviously the design world is planning downing tools and spending the long hot summer that awaits us reading.

Which is fine by us.

For, in addition to supplying designer furniture, we at smow also stock a wide range of books on and about design and designers.

In addition to the complete Vitra collection – ranging from coffee table, photo collections such as “the furniture of charles and ray eames” to the more informative and beautifully designed Project Vitra – and Kartell publications such as “kARTell 150 items, 150 artworks” – an outrageous photographic journey through the Kartell catalogue in the company of some of the most celebrated fashion photographers – smow can supply all books published by and about our partners and their designers be it Moooi, Moormann or Artemide.

Just ask we are always happy to advise.

Vitra, moooi and USM Haller - contrast and harmony
(Photo Christin Bargel)

And, it goes without saying, we can also supply the bookcases in which to store or display your new purchase.

The USM Haller unit shown in the photos is a (smow)original which we are more than happy to re-create for you. Or you can order one in the more conventional monotone.

Other bookcases available from smow, include:

Buchstabler from Moormann

Bookworm from Kartell

Lovely Rita from Kartell

FNP from Moormann

Vote smow

As a Europe-wide active business we at smow take Europe very seriously. We must, it is our home.

And naturally for us the European elections are an important event for which we are more than happy to sacrifice a couple of hours of our time in which to go voting.

A typical polling station....

But don’t you also agree that polling stations are frightfully dull locations? We’re not snobs, but, you know, one could at least try to, you know, make a little effort.

So smow spoke to the responsible authorities in Leipzig and they let us furnish our local polling station here in Downtown East Plagwitz Village.

First it was important to get the right table. After careful consideration we opted for Eiermann tables with asymmetric Eiermann II frames from Ricard Lampert. Easy to assemble, height adjustable … and they look great. Perfect.

Kleiner Trommler by Sabine Mrasek and Clemens Stübner for Moormann

For the ballot boxes we ideally wanted Kleiner Trommler from Moormann. Sadly we currently have none in stock, and so, on account of the time limits in which we were obliged to operate, we were forced to choose an alternative.

After a detailed search in the expansive (smow)lager we settled on the wonderful Vitra Eames Elephant – not only can they be relied upon not to reveal how you voted, but as elephants never forget they could, potentially, help should the votes go astray.

And with their simple, natural curves they fit perfectly with Egon Eiermann‘s genial table.

Vitra Eames Elephant in action as a ballot box

We were gratified by the positive feedback we received from all the voters who made use of our polling station and are currently working on a concept to furnish all polling stations in Leipzig for the parliamentary elections in September.

Voting is an important and sombre event, but needn’t be a Calvinistic ritual; rather, it can be done in and with a little style.

And as ever smow show the way. And should you need new furniture for our polling station, please don’t hesitate to contact us.

The smow polling station - Eiermann II Table from Richard Lampert and an Eames Elephant from Vitra