March 2013 • In Production
Shapeshifter
Philippine Lemaire’s four-part Itisy table can change to fit a variety of uses and spaces.
By Shannon Sharpe
HEIGHT
29.5 inches
WIDTH
43.3 inches
LENGTH
43.3 inches
Anyone who has ever tried to squeeze multiple people around several circular tables will agree that the arrangement is awkward—no matter how much you may enjoy each other’s company. It was with this is mind that Philippine Lemaire approached her design for the convertible Itisy table for Ligne Roset, which was launched at the 2013 Maison & Objet and will be available in the U.S. in June.
“The starting point of my reflection was Parisian bistro tables,” says Lemaire. “Because of their circular shapes, they are not comfortable if you want to put a few together.” The second point she considered was modularity and flexibility—people have various needs for a table, from dining to display.
Lemaire designed a system of parts that could be configured to fit whatever the demands may be. Using a rotary mechanism, the Itisy table, available in sawn oak or in American walnut, conjoins four tables that can swivel into a variety of shapes. “Each one has to be seen as a whole and is also dependent on the others,” says Lemaire. “It reflects a contemporary way of life; a flexibility and liberty in use.”
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Destination: Design New York
Design Week activities kick off on May 10 and run for 11 event-filled days. As always, the festivities coincide with ICFF, which this year celebrates its 25th anniversary.
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