Silver Furniture Design · 2025
Desen Coffee Table
by Ruya Akyol
- A' Design Award 2025 Silver Winner in Furniture Design
- Awarded April 15, 2025
- CLIENT: Ruya Akyol
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 50,971
- Verification code 498E38B06E · Verify this award
About Desen Coffee Table
Desen, a modular coffee table collection inspired by traditional Mediterranean tile geometries, features two shapes of varying heights that permit numerous configurations and evoke an architectural aesthetic. Designed for individual use or as part of a larger composition, the collection balances functional practicality with sculptural form. Recessed tops offer practical surface areas while hollow interiors enhance material efficiency. Constructed from locally sourced marbles, Desen presents natural richness and texture, merging traditional influences with contemporary design principles.
The Desen Coffee Table by Ruya Akyol, awarded Silver in the A' Design Award Furniture category, represents a distinguished contribution to contemporary furniture design that draws upon centuries of stone-working tradition while articulating a decidedly modern sensibility. This collection of three complementary forms demonstrates the designer's sophisticated understanding of material semiotics, deploying the inherent visual richness of premium marbles and quartzites to create objects that function simultaneously as utilitarian surfaces and sculptural presences within domestic environments. The largest hexagonal form, rendered in dramatic Rosso Levanto with its characteristic burgundy ground and white veining, establishes a commanding visual anchor while the integrated tray-top depression suggests considered functionality, an acknowledgment that these objects exist to serve as well as to delight. The warm-toned companion piece employs horizontally-striated stone that evokes geological time, each band of color representing millennia of mineral deposition, while the smallest quatrefoil element introduces organic softness that prevents the ensemble from appearing rigidly geometric. Akyol's decision to include a small circular vessel in matching burgundy marble creates material and chromatic circulation, demonstrating attention to the ensemble as a unified visual system rather than merely a collection of individual pieces. The polished surfaces invite touch, transforming cold stone into objects of sensory warmth through their reflective luminosity and smooth facture. One might observe how the varying heights create dynamic visual rhythm when viewed in profile, while the clustered arrangement suggests flexibility in spatial deployment. The work invites contemplation of how natural materials, shaped by human intention yet retaining their geological character, can transform domestic space into an environment of quiet refinement. What stories might these ancient stones tell, and how does their presence reshape our relationship with the spaces we inhabit?
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- Desen is a collection of modular coffee tables composed of interlocking shapes with varying heights, allowing endless combinations. Each piece functions beautifully on its own or as part of a larger composition, offering dynamic architectural aesthetics. The recessed tops provide practical surfaces, while the hollow interiors reduce material waste. Locally sourced marbles add natural richness and texture.
- Dimensions & Packaging
- Small Height 350 x Width 400 x Depth 400 mm
Medium Height 400 x Width 400 x Depth 400 mm
Tall Height 450 x Width 400 x Depth 400 mm - Tags
- coffee tables, pattern, luxury, marble, side tables, iconic, tiles, architectural, contemporary, elegant
- Production Technology
- Desen tables are crafted from responsibly sourced Turkish marbles, including Travertine, Karaman Beige, Kale Bordeaux, and Afyon White. The shapes are precision-cut and hollowed to reduce weight without compromising structural integrity. The recessed surface details are carefully milled to ensure both visual elegance and functional stability for objects placed on top.
- Design Challenge
- The challenge was to create iconic tables that are functional both individually and as part of a set. Achieving a puzzle-like aesthetic without compromising the tables’ standalone integrity required in-depth graphic design exploration. Balancing three different heights to serve varied needs while maintaining aesthetic harmony was equally demanding, pushing the boundaries of modular table design.
- Project Duration
- The project started in September 2023 and will be presented at Salone Satellite in April 2025 during Salone del Mobile. The pieces are getting produced in Turkey to be presented in Italy.
- Operation Flow
- Desen tables are designed for flexible use. Their puzzle-like forms allow users to arrange them in countless ways whether as standalone side tables, combined coffee tables, or layered compositions at varying heights. The recessed surfaces secure items like cups and decor, while the lightweight, hollow design makes rearranging effortless for dynamic spaces.
- Research
- The design process involved extensive research into Ottoman art and Islamic geometric patterns, referencing works like Cartier and Islamic Arts. This study of historical motifs helped reinterpret traditional forms into modern, functional pieces. The research highlighted the timeless appeal of symmetry and repetition, inspiring Desen’s modular, combinable design that brings cultural richness into contemporary living.
- Inspiration
- Desen draws inspiration from Mediterranean motifs and traditional tile patterns, reimagined through a contemporary lens. The design reflects extensive research into historical ornamentation, showcasing how geometric forms and intricate details can create timeless elegance in modern interiors.
- Image Credits
- Halit Besli
Colors of Desen Coffee Table
Get Desen Coffee Table
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G0E3 ShopGrand Interview about Desen Coffee Table
The journey began with a deep appreciation for Mediterranean tile geometries, particularly the bold patterns and rich cultural significance they carry. I wanted to reinterpret these traditional patterns in a way that resonates with modern living. The key challenge was blending these ancient, intricate designs with the functional requirements of a coffee table. I experimented with geometry and modularity, distilling the essence of these tiles into geometric shapes that could form a cohesive and functional design. The final product is a celebration of history, transformed into a minimalist and contemporary piece that speaks to both heritage and modernity.
The recessed tops and hollow interiors were born from the desire to create a piece that felt substantial yet light, with a strong emphasis on material efficiency. By carving out spaces in the table’s structure, I was able to reduce material waste while maintaining an architectural aesthetic. These hollow spaces also provide functional value, offering storage solutions while contributing to the piece’s visual lightness. The design challenges conventional ideas of mass and void, creating an interplay between solidity and emptiness that feels dynamic and practical.
Ottoman art and Islamic geometric patterns are central to my work, offering a deep source of inspiration. These intricate designs are inherently modular, with repeating forms that lend themselves to structural and aesthetic adaptability. I drew on these principles to create a table that could be assembled in multiple configurations, with each piece acting as part of a greater whole. The geometric patterns, when adapted into a modular form, allowed for flexibility in design while maintaining harmony across the composition. The influence of these patterns is particularly evident in the way each individual element of the table fits together seamlessly, yet remains flexible.
The selection of four distinct Turkish marbles was a deliberate choice to honor the rich heritage of Turkish craftsmanship while creating a multi-layered aesthetic. Each marble was chosen not only for its beauty but also for its structural qualities. They provide contrast in texture and color, creating a visual dialogue between the pieces. These marbles enhance the table’s design by adding depth and richness, while their durability ensures that the piece remains functional and timeless. The combination of these marbles also speaks to the diversity and artistry found in traditional Turkish stoneworking.
The varying heights of the table components were carefully considered to create a harmonious balance between form and function. Each height serves a specific purpose: the lower height provides a grounded base, while the taller pieces offer a sense of elevation, creating a dynamic visual flow. This difference in height also enhances the table's versatility, allowing it to be used in various settings, from informal lounges to more formal spaces. The heights were chosen to ensure the design feels balanced and fluid, while also making it adaptable to different uses and contexts.
The puzzle-like aesthetic posed a significant challenge, as it required each piece to function both independently and as part of the larger whole. To overcome this, I focused on ensuring that each component was designed with both structural and visual integrity in mind. The pieces are meticulously crafted to fit together seamlessly, with no element feeling out of place. I worked closely with artisans to refine the proportions and connections, ensuring that each piece could be assembled without compromising the integrity of the design. The result is a table that feels cohesive and balanced, even while each component maintains its own identity.
My multicultural background plays a central role in the way I approach design, particularly with the Desen Coffee Table. The Italian influence brings a sense of minimalism and elegance, while Scandinavian design adds an emphasis on functionality and clean lines. Turkish design, with its rich history of geometric patterns, contributes complexity and a sense of cultural depth. The blending of these influences allowed me to create a piece that merges simplicity with intricate detail, balancing functionality with aesthetics. The geometric language of the table reflects this fusion, with each pattern and form representing the diverse cultural influences that shape my work.
I see the Desen Coffee Table as a step forward in the evolution of modular furniture. Its adaptability, coupled with its focus on materiality and craftsmanship, offers a new approach to how we think about modularity. The ability to reconfigure the table allows for a dynamic relationship between the user and the furniture, reflecting the changing needs of modern living. At Salone Satellite 2025, I hope this design will inspire other designers to explore the potential of modular pieces that offer both functionality and emotional resonance, creating a deeper connection between people and their environments.
Achieving a balance between tradition and innovation in the Desen Coffee Table was a conscious effort to bridge the past with the present. I began by studying traditional Turkish patterns and techniques, selecting elements that felt timeless and relevant to modern sensibilities. From there, I reinterpreted these forms in a way that respects the past while embracing contemporary materials and production techniques. The goal was to create a piece that feels both rooted in cultural history and relevant to today’s living spaces. The result is a design that honors tradition while speaking to the needs and aesthetics of contemporary life.
Winning the Silver A' Design Award for the Desen Coffee Table has been incredibly rewarding and has affirmed the importance of my approach to blending cultural heritage with contemporary design. It has encouraged me to continue exploring ways to marry these elements, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in furniture design. Going forward, I am inspired to develop more pieces that respect cultural craftsmanship while embracing modern technologies and design trends. The recognition has given me the confidence to explore even more ambitious projects that bridge the gap between the past and future, creating designs that are both meaningful and functional.