Nestle: A Modern Take on the Nest of Tables

Redesigning the Humble Nest of Tables

With their slim design and shell-like structure, the three tables of Nestle look almost as one when stacked, but still have the look of sleek, well-proportioned tables as individuals. They also utilize modern materials and machining methods which are essential for the product to be competitively priced.

The starting point was to consider the tables in their nested state and design them together as one. I also knew that I wanted to create as stark a contrast as possible from the traditional nest of tables. I was looking to achieve a look of oneness without them looking too chunky or disproportionate. The use of relatively thin man-made boards (in this case 15mm MDF) enables this to be realized and also lends itself to the modern CNC methods of machining.

The Nestle nest of tables breaks away from the traditional design where tables slide out sideways. Instead, they are in a stacked arrangement which allows for a much more aesthetically pleasing appearance when nested and also enables the external dimensions of one to actually be greater than the visible internal dimensions of the next.

The seed for this project was actually planted in the designer's mind back in 2013, but it was not until March 2014 that the design process began. The design was completed in June 2014.

Although the designer had a clear vision of what they were aiming to create, they needed to see to what extent over the years, the design and boundaries of such designs for nested tables had been stretched. What they actually found after scouring the internet was that the general approach from most seemed to lack any thought for the nested state, which proved their earlier thoughts, and got them extremely excited about what they could possibly do to improve the aesthetics of such a piece, or indeed pieces.

The greatest challenge with this design was to keep it simple in terms of its appearance, construction, and nesting method. All of which had to be considered at the same time. To avoid a chunky appearance when nested, there had to be some element of component overlap, and this came in the form of a shell-like structure which allowed for a seen width of leg that could nestle inside the other with very little of it showing.

This nest of tables has been created to try and address the overlooked aesthetics and form of such tables when nested. With its slim design and shell-like structure, the three tables look almost as one when stacked, and may well be mistaken as just that. Each table is also created from just 5 components, which are able to utilize today's modern machines and techniques for manufacture, helping to keep the retail price competitive in an ever-demanding market.

This Design was awarded Iron in A' Furniture Design Award in 2015. The Iron A' Design Award is awarded to well-designed, practical, and innovative creations that meet professional and industrial requirements. Respected for integrating industry best practices and competent technical characteristics, they provide fulfillment and positive feelings, contributing to a better world.