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A Wabi-Sabi Table Inspired by Japanese Culture

xN (or xNewtons) is a table, from mob studio, that blends a mix of Japanese culture, traditional carpentry, and the beauty of imperfection, or wabi-sabi. The rustic aspects of the wooden pedestal base, shown in its rawest, most pure state, highlight the allure of flaws. Each piece is unique to the person as it’s not complete until the owner takes a hammer to it.

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The piece highlights the evolution of a piece of furniture, from bottom to top, from a natural, 30 by 30xm oyamel wood log up to the finished, circular marble tabletop. Topping it all off is the crown – a brass turned wedge. When the wedge is driven in, it speeds up the wood cracking process, helping it secure the marble.

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Once the table is in the hands of its owner, the table becomes complete when the brass wedge is driven in. The final result is dependent on the strength of the person with the hammer, essentially freezing that moment in time and the final result of the piece.

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The name (newtons) is based on the force that’s needed to complete the piece – that moment when energy transforms it from pieces into a final, complete object.

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Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.