Mid-Century Media Console

This Mid-Century table is a great way to blend woodworking with modern materials

- Michael Crow

From massive entertainment centers to modified sideboards, furniture design seems to lag behind the evolution of the TV. Stands were perpetually a step or two behind the current state-of-the-art in screens. I confronted this problem when searching for a stand to complement our new flat screen. Looking for a design that would accommodate a few components and look at home under a wall-mounted TV, I found inspiration in the work of Charles and Ray Eames. This husband-and-wife design team create some of the signature pieces of the Mid-Century Modern furniture, including perhaps the definitive version of the surfboard coffee table from 1951.

With its mix of materials—metal, plywood, and laminate— and minimalist design, the iconic piece epitomizes Mid-Century Design. The elliptical top appears to float over a double pedestal base of welded wire, its beveled edge emphasizing the contrast of laminate and substrate and highlighting the Eames’s interest in experimenting with materials. The long, low design makes for an attractive table, but the welded base presents a challenge for typical shops. My design preserves the floating top and mix of materials but substitutes a glued aluminum base for welded steel and adds a lower shelf for additional storage. The design doesn’t require much in the way of materials or time and provides a good introduction to pattern routing and basic metalworking using materials available at home centers.

No Welding Required