Pants Coffee Table - Melia Email Interview
Monday, March 31st, 2008
Remember this underwear shaped coffee table - PANTS?
Photo from Melia
I had the chance to interview the designer, Lucy behind LUNA, Mmmmm chair as well as GINO. She is the designer in Melia, the company behind the coffee table.
Her partner John-Paul designed the PANTS and the ORGASM table.
Here is the interview!
1) Can you give me a brief introduction of yourself, how did you and your partner actually started out? and maybe a short history of the company?
Melia was conceived in 1999 by my partner, John-Paul Melia and me, Lucy Tatam. John-Paul was an apprectice-trained joiner and I had always had an interest in modern design and sculpture. We wanted to create beautiful handmade furniture, in complex sculptural forms. So we started designing and experimenting until we were ready to launch our debut range at the ’Mode’ contemporary home show, in 2001. Later that year, we were thrilled to be selected for the ’Bright New Things Awards’ presented by Living Etc. magazine at the prestigious 100% Design Show.
Ebony Orgasm Coffee Table
2) I see you have very radical and powerful product names. like Pants, and your latest, the orgasm. where did you get the inspiration from? what kind of impact do you sought to create in the coffee table market?
We like to have fun with our furniture, and not to take it too seriously. After all, in the grand scheme of life, it is only furniture! There is a danger is becoming over pretentious about art and design, about which point it then loses its purpose, which is ultimately to bring pleasure. We try to create things that are totally original, easy to live with, and hopefully continue to make you smile for a long time to come!
3) As a designer, what do you think is the most important factor in designing? Any factors that you think ppl always overlook?
Have a sincere respect for other designers, past and present. But don’t try to emulate them or be influenced by trends. We avoid visiting design shows, as we get fed up with looking at row upon row of the same products rehashed in slightly different forms. “This year, everyone must use glass… polished steel… all sinks must be round and made of natural stone etc etc”. We take our inspiration from nature and daily life, and we are highly critical of our own work. Most of our designs go in the bin - we won’t make anything unless the design really strikes us, and then we will pin the sketch up on the wall and if we still really LOVE it after a few weeks, then it gets the green light!
Grey Orgasm Coffee Table
4) The Coffee Table Afficionado seeks to offers advice for people looking for coffee tales. Do you have any advices or tips to share with people looking for one?
Ebay and Etsy.com are both great online resources. There are also a growing number of blogs featuring good design, such as retrotogo.com and switchedonset.com. Coffee tables work well as a focal point for your room. I often recommend dressing a room as you might dress yourself, using cheaper neutral items to form your foundations, and then decorating with some striking, high-quality accessories - such a fantastic coffee table, a beautiful ornament, and a beautiful original painting.
5) You have so many designs in your website. Which one is your favourite product and why?
I have always loved PANTS and I thought it could not get any better… until John-Paul designed the ORGASM… wow!! It looks incredible. I also love the fluid lines of the i DRAWERS, with the floating centre drawer and the sense of space beneath.
The Orgasm Coffee Table from Far
6) Do you have any unusual or interesting/funny experience with your customers? Anything you want to share with us?
Hmmm. we are very discreet!
7) I understand there’s this section called bespoke joinery on your website. Can you tell us more about what is it exactly and what can it do to benefit people?
We can make almost anything and everything - if a client, or their architect, has a design that they want to make, we can create it for them. Or they can tell us their requirements, and we will develop a design to suit their needs. Size is not an issue - we have worked on everything from small shelving units to whole bedroom suites and wall-to-wall shop fittings. The materials are not limited only to wood - we work with glass, steel, leather…
8 ) Last of all, do you have anything else you want to share with our readers at the coffee table aficionado blog?
Be happy, be free and remember… Love is all you need!
That’s the end of the interview.
Your Thoughts
So what do you think? interesting design in a interesting company?
I think they are really innovative and fun.
Even though its only an email interview, I can feel Lucy is a very fun person to do business with and I’m sure you wouldn’t be disappointed with her products either.
Do visit Melia for more EXCITING products.
All the best to Lucy and her partner and thanks a lot for her time for the answers.
Technorati Tags: lucy tatam, melia, orgasm coffee table, pants coffee table
Popularity: 54% [?]
