Gomi Table

The Gomi Table was originally conceived as a design exercise with a simple constraint. Over a year ago, I salvaged this 3.5′ x 3.5′ x 1.75″ large square tabletop from a dumpster. It was in great condition, so I held onto it until I could put it to good use. Fast forward to last week, I was in need of a new coffee table, and decided that it was time to finally put the salvaged tabletop to use. The goal of the project became to design a sturdy, Japanese- inspired coffee table using the wood from the original slab, and only the wood from the original slab.

The result is the Gomi Table, pictured here. In order to build it, the original slab’s damaged edges were trimmed off on the table saw. From there, the entire remainder was cut down the middle to size. The finer of the two resultant slabs became the top, and the other half was further processed via saw and planar into the leg assembly components.

Half Laps were added where necessary to ensure a rigid structure, and the overbuilt frame has resulted in a remarkably rigid base with layers of visual depth and interest. The top simply rests in place upon grooves in the cross- members for ease of disassembly and transport. Overall, this was a fun project, which kept me busy for a couple afternoons. More importantly, I got a coffee table out of the deal without spending a dime, while saving a beautiful slab from the dumpster.