Reviving the Art of Persian Carpets: Café 6116 Dining Table

Ruben van Megen's Award-Winning Design Breathes New Life into Traditional Carpets

Ruben van Megen's inspiration for the Café 6116 dining table came from a local pub where Persian carpets adorned the tables. The enduring allure of these hand-made carpets, with their vibrant colours and timeless patterns, sparked his interest. The Dutch Masters' paintings from the golden age, featuring Persian carpets, further fuelled his fascination.

The Café 6116 collection, named after the pub that sparked the idea, includes a dining table, three coffee tables, and floor tiles, all incorporating actual Persian carpets. The carpets, carrying memories and secrets, are preserved within the furniture pieces. The collection offers two color options for the construction: anthracite steel and hand-polished bronze.

The realization of this design required extensive experimentation and six months of research to perfect the use of epoxy on the carpets, ensuring a bubble-free, super smooth surface. The technical specifications of the dining table include a height of 750mm and table top dimensions of 2200 x 970 mm.

The design also carries a symbolic message about the lifecycle of Persian carpets. Initially exclusive to tradesmen and aristocrats in the 17th century, these carpets gradually became accessible to a wider audience before their popularity waned. With Café 6116, Ruben van Megen elevates the status of Persian carpets, initiating a new product life cycle.

The Café 6116 dining table was exhibited at the Dutch Design Week in October 2016 and during Salone del Mobile in April 2017. It is now displayed in various galleries in Europe and the Red Dot Design Museum in Essen. In 2018, a new version with a solid bronze frame was introduced.

In conclusion, Ruben van Megen's Café 6116 dining table is a testament to the enduring allure of Persian carpets and the potential of innovative design. By integrating these traditional textiles into modern furniture, he has created a unique piece that bridges the gap between the old and the new, while preserving the memories and secrets embedded in the carpets.