There is something wonderfully warm and organic to the feel of a wooden table, but they can also easily be scratched or stained by day-to-day living. Matt Sherwen of Sydney-based design studio Mat & Kin has come up with a solution in the form of the Revolve table.
The key to the table’s success is a rotating tabletop, which allows the scratched or stained surface to be rotated when guests arrive, revealing a pristine underside, now able to be used as a fresh table surface.
The inspiration came from frequent requests for Matt to resurface existing dining tables, which involved the slow and frustrating process of shipping the table back and forth from the workshop. “This highlighted a clear need for a more practical, lasting solution, that gave clients a beautiful, custom item of furniture, with a luxury feel, that was completely functional,” explains Matt.
The secret to the revolving function is a patent-pending mechanism developed by Matt. The cam mechanism locks with a quarter turn, using the spring force of the material and small notches to click and hold the tabletop in place, meanwhile two handles engage the cam and can be stowed away neatly underneath the table. The hidden nature of the design also means there is no bulky structure underneath to bump up against with your knees.
Matt created an early prototype of the Revolve table for real-world testing in a family home and has refined the product over time. The legs are crafted from solid oak with large tenon joints, while the tabletop features a lightweight but strong torsion box construction.
“The Revolve Table challenges fast furniture culture by offering two surfaces in one, with components that are repairable, upgradeable, and built to last,” explains Matt.
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