Luckily for readers, I prefer Seinfeld to Star Trek. In fact, if I were to parse the number of references to each throughout the pages, I’d wager the ratio would be somewhere in the vicinity of ten to one. Even so, the occasional product seems to warrant mention of Kirk, Spock, et., al. To wit, Wonsik Chae’s Lighting Bag and Andrew Tang-Smith’s Reveal/Conceal Faucet contain the brand of futuristic moxie characteristic of that kitschy show. Just so, the Warp Side Table has the kind of technological aesthetic that bears comparison.

Warp Side Table. Designed by Oliver Schick. Manufactured by Ligne Roset.

The Warp Side Table is Lightweight, Portable, and Rife with Panache

To look at this crafty piece by Oliver Schick for Ligne Roset is to see into the future of furnishings. That is to say, as our spaces get smaller and our lives more mobile, this nifty little table will come to exemplify intelligent design.

And that’s not the kind of design ordained by a higher power, but rather the variety of species that Darwin himself would have appreciated—as natural selection continues to eschew the big, bulky, and cumbersome in favor of the light and clean.

Schick’s Warp has an energy and dynamism that evokes the favored speed of the U.S.S. Enterprise, as its dual-legged construction and slim circular top make it appear primed for travel. Come to think of it, by simply flipping the top 90 degrees the piece would easily pass for Captain Kirk’s famed starship.

And though the materials of Schick’s 21^st. century design might appear antiquated by Star Trek standards, in early 2012 they’re as relevant as ever: powder coated steel and lacquered MDF impart strength and durability, in addition to a compelling aesthetic.

Saving, perhaps, the best for last, the Warp Side Table features an offset perforation that’s just about the size of four fingers—perfect dimensions for picking up and moving, whether across the room or to the furthest reaches of the galaxy.

About the Manufacturer: Michael Roset, one of the principals of Ligne Roset, cuts right to the heart of the manufacturer’s great appeal and even greater success: “Good furniture gives great pleasure and we take great pleasure in making good furniture… one reason for this is because we have always worked with fascinating, creative people.” These people include such luminaries as Tord Boontje, Patrick Jouin, and Eero Sairanen, each of whom has helped make Ligne Roset one of the most innovative and forward-thinking manufacturers for more than 150 years.