Fresco Alfresco
Cold seasons and bad weather banish outdoor furniture to the attic or storage closet. Active in two states, this object can can be stored as art in the home when not in use as a portable outdoor table.
​
This picnic table was inspired by multiple elements of the graduate student lifestyle. Trying to outfit a home and have a work/life balance while navigating impermanent living spaces and fixed income...how does one decide where to invest? This portable furniture is for those interested in elevated home decor and lifestyle activities in one.
In Action: Outdoors
Garden parties and outdoor dining have always been popular warm weather activities, even more so in the past few years. This furniture piece was developed to be light weight, durable, and easily constructed and deconstructed for maximum portability. The design of this table aims to elevate the aesthetic of portable outdoor furniture currently on the market. The three individual pieces are light weight, have easy to identify touch points, and fit in the car.
In Action: Indoors
The top and legs of the table can be separated into different decorative elements. They can be hung on or placed against the wall, separately or combined, as home decor and as a second activation of the object. The tabletop also has a textile sleeve that keeps the surface protected and allows for customization based on the consumer's personal aesthetic.
The pieces are compatible with renter friendly hardware such as Command Strip hooks, or other connection methods that screw into the wall.
Design Elements:
Elastic hinges - Taken from the initial material exploration with elastic, the tension in the bands holds the two pieces of the table legs together. The development of this hinge allows for the legs to sit in multiple orientations, and provides a graphic element without adding weight.
Fabric tabletop - A non-stretch fabric under high tension creates a reliably strong surface while remaining extremely lightweight.
Tapered construction - A design element seen more typically in luxury indoor furniture, the tapered angle adds a level of sophistication to the table's overall aesthetic.
Textile cover - The cover allows for high customization and functions as a dust cover for the table's surface.
