Room by Room – the Noguchi Table

This weeks installation of Room by Room with FormFire Glassworks takes its starting point from a piece of iconic furniture close to my heart – the Noguchi Table.

I am lucky enough to have one of these beauties in my house and am always impressed with its simplicity of material and gracefulness of form. Isamu Noguchi designed this piece for Herman Miller in 1947. Made of two curves of pivoting wood and a thick rounded triangular glass top, it sits gently on the floor and is a fabulous backdrop for other items. As an aside, it folds almost flat and is fairly simple to transport. It is the Japanese sense of craftsmanship and simplicity that makes this such a popular piece, and it is still licensed and available through Herman Miller. The base is available in black, cherry or walnut.

The combination of the Japanese aesthetic and attention to detail were the bases for choosing complementary accessories for this wonderful piece. A handmade wooden and leather chair with simple styling, exquisite joinery and clean upholstery details is available in the wood and leather of your choice. A wall vinyl depicting cherry blossoms brings a feeling of lightness to the room. A handcrafted leather journal emphasizes craftsmanship and luxurious materials, while an abstract painting evokes the sunset and horizontal nature of the table. A hand-thrown ikebana vase is the perfect table-topper – with an orchid, lily, or other tall flower, it hearkens back to Japanese culture.

Next week I will choose a new iconic piece and give you my picks for accessorizing your modern home.