An Object of Love
A wonderful collaboration, between Angus Ross and Frances Priest , to create a unique table to celebrate a marriage, and provide the focal point in a new kitchen.
Instead of wedding gifts, Matthias and Bernd invited family and friends to contribute to one substantial project: the Braid Table.
The concept developed during discussions between the couple, and their friend Frances Priest, a highly regarded ceramic artist. They were looking for a way to bring Frances’s ceramics into a contemporary re-working of the kitchen-dining space. A new mezzanine and would provide a bird’s eye view of the dining area and the idea of an encaustic-tiled-table-top was born. When designing the surface pattern Frances considered: the Edwardian entrance hall tiles, a love of mathematics, and their collection of African textiles.
The next step was to find a furniture maker who could help bring the concept to life. Frances suggested Angus as they are both Homo Faber artisans and have co-exhibited at craft showcases in London, Scotland and the USA over many years.
Matthias and Bernd visited the workshop to discuss the project and establish the brief. After design development Angus proposed an elliptical table design that is strong, mathematical, and compliments the design for the tiles. An elliptical shape creates a convivial dining experience (as all diners can make eye contact), and works well for two to eight people. The shape also helps flow through the space and into the garden. A strong, concave, cross-shaped pedestal base in solid Scottish ash, supports the unusually heavy table top, and has an interesting footprint. The base is clad with curvilinear slats of bent ash, echoing concave squares found in the tile design. As you move around the room the interplay between light and slats, creates a lovely moire effect.
Ash was selected as the pale neutral tone anchored the striking top. This native timber is often over-looked but it has a quiet strength and is perfect for steam bending. A tactile, rounded bullnose edge to the table, ensures a smooth warm surface for wrists and forearms resting on the table edge.
Elliptical Braid Table with encaustic tiles and steambent solid wood base.
“We absolutely adore our new table! Frances’s tiles are now in place, and the grouting is almost done. We’ll send pictures when it really is finished. However, the beauty and craftsmanship of the base were obvious from the moment we saw it. It’ll give us joy for many years to come, and we cannot wait to inaugurate it with our first dinner party.”
Tiles by Frances Priest . Photos by Alix McIntosh
Styled with our Frame Rocker in walnut and Serving Platter in sycamore.