The Laminex Group and Kvadrat Maharam – a Danish-US furnishing fabric manufacturer – are the big names behind young Sydney designer Benjamin Mangold’s new take on table design.

The Deux table can be changed to a single seat/table or a double seat. Its design draws people and objects to it, opening up progressive and interesting visual and spatial relationships. Other options, such as inserts for vases, CDs and magazines, are planned.

This Deux table features a Freestyle Ice tabletop. Ice is one of the four translucent colour options, allowing the designer to incorporate plays on light as well as the inherent aesthetic value of the material. The Deux table also incorporates brushed aluminium laminate by Formica.

The Laminex Group Architectural and design representative Grace Simitzis is impressed by the table and says it combines form and function, and is “visually attractive, creative and stimulating”.

“These are the qualities of The Laminex Group’s products.”

Kvadrat Maharam, meanwhile, supplied The Divina Melange fabric for the upholstered cushion inserts of the Deux table.

“It is a great pleasure to work with up-and-coming young designers such as Benjamin Mangold,” Kvadrat Maharam, Australia executive director Emma Cowie says. “Benjamin has designed a very innovative piece of furniture which reflects the level of design that Kvadrat and Maharam are proud to be associated with.”

Benjamin Mangold is about to complete his degree with honours at COFA (College of Fine Arts), University of NSW.

He studied furniture design at the University of Alberta in Canada in 2003 as part of his COFA degree.

The Deux table will be on display at the COFA Annual Exhibition of the work of graduating students. The exhibition opens today and continues to 1 December 2004. COFA is located on the corner of Oxford Street and Greens Road, Paddington, Sydney.

For more information visit www.studioisk.com.