The Arthur round table with central rotating lazy susan is retro on the one hand, contemporary on the other. If viewed from the side (base and all) it resembles a sort of space-age, geometricized peony in bloom; while from above it might remind you of the dining set in Woody Allen's Sleeper, or of some rogue component of the docking station in Stanley Kubrick's 2001.

Arthur, round table. Designed by Dirk Wynants. Manufactured by Extremis.

The table top is segmented (like a pie chart) in a way that neatly demarcates its capacity-8 segments for the eight-seater, 10 for the ten-seater, and so on. This feature fits neatly within manufacturer Extremis' vision, which is to cultivate equality, togetherness, and productive exchange: "this member of the Extremis family, appropriately named 'Arthur', is a synonym for encounter, communication, gathering, hospitality, togetherness." The name refers to Camelot and the legendary Knights of the Round Table-one of the Western world's enduring emblems of shared responsibility, justice, and familial/fraternal contentment. Though dining at the Arthur table probably won't stimulate you to seek the holy grail or defend the kingdom from marauding Saxon hordes, it will eliminate being stuck in that dreaded middle spot of traditional rectangular tables, where good conversation goes to die, where you find yourself with the dubious alternative of a senile uncle on one side and a morose, pubescent cousin on the other.

As explained by its creator, “The mystical Arthur round table is symbol for justice, equality and joy in life. The round shape stimulates conversation, being one of the most important things in life.”

Both top and base are constructed of Extremis' HPL or "High Pressure Laminate," a material made of layered wood fibers and thermosetting resins that are molded under high temperature and pressure. The result is sleek and durable furnishings that are weather and age-resistant, that are virtually insusceptible to the ravages of weather and time. The Arthur can be used inside or out: the table is pigmented during manufacturing, so it won't fade with UV exposure. Nor does it stain-the non-porous surface protects against culinary mishaps and makes it easy to clean. And it comes in eight, ten, and twelve person versions (diameters of 63", 79", and 94"; each with 29" table height). With its fusion of innovation and aesthetic appeal, its durability and lustrous look, the Arthur negotiates the divide between homage and ultra-modern, between conversation piece and functional locus for family and friends.