A Leaf in Levitation

Originally designed for the “Maison des Voyages,” this unique table was born from a request by the clients, who wished for a piece to match the scale and elegance of their expansive, light-filled living room. Framed by large windows that open onto the landscape, the space called for a table that would feel both anchored and ethereal.

The design finds its inspiration at the intersection of two natural forms: the leaf and the surfboard.

From the leaf, it borrows soft outlines, organic curves, branching forms, and the irregular
rhythm of wood grain.

From the surfboard, it inherits dynamic tension, seamless flow, and a subtle reference to California’s longboards of the 1960s—an era of surf culture immortalized by Hollywood.

The tabletop, crafted in solid walnut from the forests of Dordogne, is assembled in diagonally arranged, irregular planks that highlight the richness and depth of the wood. A central wengé stringer pays tribute to the visual codes of classic surfboards while subtly guiding the eye along the table’s form.

The base, also in wengé, contrasts the organic fluidity of the top with a strong orthogonal silhouette. Its surface is textured and matte, designed to break the light and reinforce the illusion of levitation.

The piece is the result of a close dialogue between architect and artisan—a bespoke collaboration where craft, form, and intention come together. Asymmetrical yet balanced, sculptural yet functional, it is a table envisioned for shared moments, for gatherings where stories unfold and ideas take shape.

The Leaf in Levitation is not merely a piece of furniture, but a living element within the architectural whole—an object that invites nature and imagination to the table.

Photos : CLEMENT PHILIPPON