Capturing Raindrops in Wood: The Drops Coffee Table

Jeffrey A Day's Award-Winning Design Inspired by Seattle Rain

Day's design philosophy revolves around creating a visual dialogue, and the Drops Coffee Table is no exception. The table, constructed entirely from solid wood, features a unique sculpted support frame and top surface, made possible through the use of CNC routing technology. The design captures the essence of suspended motion within a rectangular frame, providing a visual balance. The raindrop detail on the top surface, expanding beyond the frame, draws attention to the intricate detail and randomness of raindrops.

The realization of the Drops Coffee Table was a meticulous process. Day used 32mm wood for the support structure and 38mm wood for the top surface. The design evolved from initially routing four pre-constructed frames to creating a complete unit from 17 individual pieces. The table measures 1066mm in width, 635mm in depth, and 380mm in height.

Day faced significant challenges in creating the base of the table. His aim was to capture the illusion of suspended motion, as if the table was being pulled apart. To achieve this, he used variable radii throughout the rails and stiles. The research process involved exploring various joint techniques, including lap joints, dowels, and butt joints, before finally settling on the use of dowels for strength.

The Drops Coffee Table is not just a piece of furniture, but a work of art that captures the beauty of raindrops on a hard wooden surface. The two drops together add a dimension of time, with one hitting the surface right after the first. The deeply sculpted legs contribute to the organic nature of the design, making it a visually interesting and well-balanced piece.

This innovative design has not gone unnoticed in the design world. In 2016, the Drops Coffee Table was awarded the Golden A' Furniture Design Award, a prestigious accolade granted to marvelous, outstanding, and trendsetting creations. This award is a testament to Day's prodigious talent and wisdom, and his ability to advance art, design, and technology through his work.