Just when it seemed that no table could surprise us, designer Kirk Van Ludwig came up with a fresh, unique and functional design proposal. All at once. Something difficult to achieve, as functionality often overshadows design and emotional connection. But what the designer and founder of Autonomous Furniture is proposing with this design is a return to the essential, the beautiful and the meaningful.

The design process of the Nieves table is testament to Van Ludwig’s philosophy, who reminds us that “the home is a sanctuary, a place of comfort and peace”. “I think the things we have at home should be meaningful and beautiful. The Nieves table came to be with that in mind, the combination of two natural earthly elements – stone and wood – evoke a sense of calmness and beauty. I hope they are pieces that will be passed down from generation to generation,” he explains.

Known for his ability to fuse different materials in innovative ways, the designer has chosen for his debut in stone furniture design a piece that masterfully combines the robustness of wood with the timeless beauty of stone. The Nieves table creates a dialogue between the two materials, resulting in a piece of furniture that is functional, powerful and exceptionally attractive.

The choice of an oval shape was no accident: Van Ludwig was clear that he wanted to encourage gatherings and conversations around the table and create an intimate and welcoming space. The user experience begins with the bevelled edge of the table, continues through its wooden structure and ends with the stone tabletop featuring Dekton, a material chosen for both its beauty and commitment to sustainability. Van Ludwig’s visit to the Cosentino Industrial Park and Headquarters in Almería left a deep impression on him and encouraged him to use Dekton in the design, both for the aesthetics of the material and for its sustainability properties, including a carbon neutral life cycle.

Available in two models – black walnut with Dekton Radium tabletop and light alder with Dekton Neural tabletop –, the Nieves table is a marvel of pattern and colour, adding texture and depth. In order to achieve all the objectives that a product designer is always looking for, the use of Dekton, an ultra-compact stone with no weak points, ensures that the table is not only pleasing to the eye, but also resistant and durable.

Winning the Best of Canada 2023 award for the Nieves table is a well-deserved recognition of the vision of Van Ludwig and the Autonomous Furniture team, as well as an exciting milestone in their collaboration with Cosentino.