These two designs have no influence from the east, nor do they eschew sophisticated joinery or finishes. The materials are found at the hardware store. Much like the International Style designers of the mid-century, the mechanisms of joinery remain exposed for all to see and form part of the aesthetic.

When designing modern furniture, I prefer not only to use bolts and nuts for joinery, but to expose them, if not to make them larger than necessary to assume a greater part of the overall effect.

Steel, Wood and Stone Table.

This table, which works as a display table in an entry or hall, is made of bent steel pipes, a wood pole and knobs and a marble top. The steel comes from electrical conduit bent in a pre-made wooden form for uniformity. The edges around the top are made from the same material. The pole that stretches the width of the table was intended for closets to hang clothes. Marble adorns the top in the form of tiles. Indeed, the top was made to precisely fit four normal 12 inch tiles, therefore, relieving one of cutting them.

The curved legs of the table are fixed near the middle by a handle and bolt that allows one to take the table apart without many tools. Under the table top, screws fix the legs to the wood base. The small beads on the edge were drilled with a hole that aligns with a hole in the pipe edge and then nailed into the wood base of the top. This suffices to attach both the beads and the edging. The larger spheres or knobs screw into the corners with double ended screws into pre-drilled holes.

The second table occupies a dinning room and matches the above wide, side table. Admittedly, I no longer have this table simply because I changed the chair design from tubular steel and plastic to wood and upholstery.

The current chairs:

Seven Chair by Howard Bosler 2015

As one can see, the table has light wood poles providing support and a darker wood top with acutely beveled edges. The beveled edges are interesting because at particular viewing angles the top appears paper thin.

The table is secured not just by the wooden poles, but by direct attachment of the legs to the top and by three curved pipes in the middle of the table that strides the two poles. Surprisingly sturdy, this table was not all that big. It would seat up to six people.

A look at the three curved supports. 

I have a way to go in digitally documenting all my present pieces. I have a set of end tables painted with abstract paintings, two “cube” chairs, a bar table, another storage cabinet, a black lacquer chest on table, not to mention chairs and display cabinets already mentioned in previous articles. Fortunately, I also have sketch books full of various designs, from art easels to outdoor awnings. However, right now I am documenting furniture made and used and not the theoretical.

The greatest, most satisfying thing about furniture or architectural design, is that the result must be in proper scale and functional. These are not the products of some one vomiting on canvases, but must be usable, fully functional, while also visually interesting, inspiring or beautiful.

HBosler