tables

Nominated for a Luxist Award in the furniture category, is Lamu Industries, a Catskill, N.Y.-based firm known for its hand-crafted solid wood armories, beds, chairs and consoles, in addition to a wide variety of tables, including coffee, conference, library and dining tables.

Each of Lamu Industries' pieces are hand-carved by local craftsmen who live on the East African island of Lamu, in the Indian Ocean off the coast of Kenya. Every piece is carved from indigenous "mbambakofi", a hardwood that is a member of the mahogany family of woods. The cutting down of mbambakofi trees is regulated by the Kenyan Government and for every tree cut, two new ones must be planted on the island. "Our tables have a feel of masculine majesty and a seeming provenance of European Renaissance," says Lamu Industries owner, Bo van den Assum.

Unlike most other furniture pieces which are made with a lesser quality soft wood covered by a thin veneer of a fine wood, each piece in Lamu Industries' collection is made of solid mbambakofi. No veneers here. van den Assum explains that a disadvantage to a piece made with a veneer is that over time it may begin to warp, buckle or even bubble up due to humidity or wet conditions. A solid wood piece will continue to absorb the elements of its environment and the fibers of the wood are receptors of the air surrounding it, he says. In a dry environment, the wood will likely shrink, while in a humid environment, it will expand. Over time, cracks may appear in the wood, however the crack may give the piece an antique look, perhaps even more character, van den Assum adds. Lamu Industries tables are constructed to minimize damage caused by humidity fluctuations.

The legs of each table are typically massive, and can be up to eight inches in diameter. Like the rest of the table, they, too, are made of sold wood. Each leg is carved from tree trunks that have been turned on a lathe and carved by hand by one of Lamu Industries' talented carvers.

Each Lamu Industries table is dated, numbered and signed. Made to order pieces are also available, and the company will even have your family crest or initials carved into a special order without additional charge.

Retail prices range from $3,000 for a small coffee table to $11,000 for a ten foot magnificent solid dining table. Specific orders require about four months delivery inclusive of the ocean voyage from East Africa. Pieces can be delivered immediately from Lamu Industries' current stock.

The Architectural Coffee Table is equipped to handle displays a little differently than the average coffee table, considering that most of them can only handle a stack or two of coffee table books. This unit is made of an antique architect's table and includes a glass top that allows you to peer into the top compartment of the table, where you can store maps (as pictured), photos or other collectible items to create an entirely unique look. Three different sizes are available, but all stand about 15" inch, with 4" casters that make the tables easy to move. The rest of the drawers can be used for storage of magazines, newspapers or even the TV remotes. Wood and steel tops are available in addition to glass should you prefer a closed look. Prices start at around $2,000 and go up from there.

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The Too Peace Table is a balancing act, it's two pieces maintaining the perfect angle needed to support it. Don't be fooled by the delicate look, though: there is actually a small stainless steel leg behind the solid wooden base that makes this table as sturdy as you could need it to be. The table is available in solid ebonized oak (pictured), which would be a good choice for a modern black/white themed room, or solid cherry, for something warmer. The tabletop is solid glass. Prices: $1,600 (oak); $1,800 (cherry).

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The Campo D'Oro Table can join our collection of modular furnishings as one of the few tables in the genre. It is square when closed, but thanks to a few sets of hinges, the three trapezoidal pieces of aluminum laminate top can be swiveled around to for a new shape. If they are only partially unfolded, the pieces can be arranged into three nearly separate tables, as well. The base of the table is made of aluminum powder-coated steel. Price: £2,612.

Generally speaking, coal is not something that you want to see on Christmas morning. But if the coal has been polished to a high gloss and shaped into a unique coffee table, it's a whole different story. Jim Zivic's Coal Tables are about 18-24 inches high and 30 inches across, though larger pieces can be ordered. They are available unpolished as well as polished, but the look of the more finished, glossy version is the one that will work best in most rooms. Prices start from about $10,000 and up.

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Jennifer Ramos is the designer behind MadeByGirl Coffee Tables. The pieces start with old, high-quality Chippendale-style coffee tables and are dressed up with leather, bold prints and other decorative touches. The result is a piece that combines both old and new, traditional and, because of the use of leather, a little bit of a "western" look. The pictured table is the Red Hot, which is a mahogany table topped with smooth, distressed red leather, zebra-print hide and a variety of studs. Price: $1,400.

With gray smoked glass on the top and clear glass at the base of the legs, the Smoke Table lives up to its name because it does appear to float in mid-air. It is a low coffee table, only 15.75-in. off the ground, but that doesn't take away from the dramatic effect that it has on a room. This piece would look best in a fairly modern room, perhaps one without too much extraneous furniture, to maximise its visual impact. Price: $1,794.