Cherry Record Table
Timeline: Sept - Dec 2021
The Cherry Record Table is perfect for vinyl enthusiasts looking for record storage, a place to hold a portable record player, space for home décor, and a unique and charming piece to liven up a room. It is an example of a design piece that has both form and function, with its ample storage space and contrasting eye-catching colours. The piece itself is made of cherry wood and uses real vinyl records as dividers.
The Brief
In our history and our future our physical being represents our need for the horizontal surfaces we call "tables". Given our present need for sustainability, can concept and emotion be found in the design of our furniture? Can these ubiquitous surfaces support our emotions and concerns? Or just our stuff?
Maybe they just stand quietly alone most of the time, and stand they do, but perhaps the table needs to do more for sustainability than to just stand there.
What happens when we start "the TABLE" over again?
Design Objectives
My design objectives for the project were to make an attractive piece that offers contrast, durability, and functionality. In order to meet the criteria of having visual contrast, the body of the table retains its natural cherry wood colour, heightened with Danish oil, while the back piece and left feet are stained black. The dark colour of the back piece, feet, and vinyl offers a pleasing visual and makes the natural wood grain of the body and coloured centers of the vinyl dividers pop.
Another contrasting feature of the table is the combination between geometric and organic shapes. The body of the table has a continuous flow which is highlighted by its one-way grain direction. It is very geometric, as are the black feet. The vinyl discs and back piece, on the other hand, are very organic. The back piece is inspired by the body of a guitar, which has curves that emulate the flow of music.
CAD Process
Building Process
Materials
- Cherry
- 12" vinyl records
Joinery
- Long-grain-to-long-grain gluing
- Mitered biscuits
- Dowel joints
- Slot joints with PL construction glue
Finish
- Danish oil
- Penetrating black stain
- Hand-rubbed paste wax
Dimensions
(L x W x H)
865 x 451 x 520 mm
Functionality
The table can store over one hundred records, hold up to two portable record players at once, and offer a tabletop space for home décor such as flowers, books, picture frames, or speakers. For convenience, there is a gap between the back piece and the left side of the cubby, which leaves an opening to put the chord of the record table through to plug into an outlet. This also allows chords to be easily hidden.
