MergeTable Coffee Bench by Richard Lowry

From a simple observation of the way people often ultimately use coffee tables, the MergeTable was born. One of the most important functions of a coffee table is to rest one's feet upon, and in today’s world a hard surface need only be large enough to hold a laptop or tablet. To harmonise these two functions separate tables were designed and then combined into one – a comfortable leather cushioned part for feet and legs, and a concrete surfaced section for utility. The bottom rail of the piece offsets what would be the smaller table’s stretcher so as to ‘merge’ the two tables. This part is connected with walnut dowels that can be seen as a contrast to the cherry and proudly display some of the joinery in the piece. The MergeTable is handcrafted in the Lowry London workshop in Peckham, London, UK. Prime grade cherry lumber is meticulously selected and hand worked to bring out its natural depth and chatoyance. The concrete that forms the table's surface is worked extensively so as to enhance its deep color. It is cast in a mold and then worked with several coats to create a natural hand finish that is always unique. The vegetable tanned leather is sourced from the finest hides and hand stitched with an anti-slip base to keep it firmly in place but also easily moved if the larger surface is required. Part of Richard Lowry's design practice is to utilise materials traditionally used in an industrial way and adapt them to become beautiful handcrafted pieces.