Morten Georgsen has a quintessentially Scandinavian, “no nonsense” attitude when it comes to design. In fact, the Danish designer characterizes his work as “the art of finding the shortest distance between function and aesthetic.” With his latest launch, Tivoli, a mini-capsule collection of sculpted coffee tables for BoConcept, Georgsen exemplifies this philosophy to life, with a surprising detail that will shock most people.
At first glance, the Tivoli tables look like hefty slabs of travertine stone, freshly hewn from an Italian quarry. But upon closer inspection, it reveals a clever disguise: the tables are actually concrete that have been covered with a printed travertine finish that mimics the real thing. Unlike faux stone surface coverings that look too artificial, this unique overlay mimics the natural patterns and textures of travertine. Georgsen’s use of alternative materials provides the timeless allure of stone but without the heavy weight, allowing you to move the pieces around your space as needed.
Curious about the production process, we asked Georgsen to share how the Tivoli tables came to life. His answers – from the original inspiration to the techniques used in crafting the collection – might surprise you.
What inspired you to reimagine Play-Doh creations as a concept for the Tivoli table designs?
Love your Play-Doh association – actually you are not that far off. My father was running a small art gallery and was a part-time painter. We had quite a few interesting people visiting us. Amongst them was Joern Nash, the brother to famous Cobra painter Asger Jorn, who is infamous for beheading the most famous Danish sculpture – The Little Mermaid – created from a story by H.C. Andersen. Playing with clay and creating small sculptures was a daily pleasure in my childhood.
When I realized the abilities of concrete, and how I could create various shape, I thought of my childhood and the clay. And having been a furniture designer for more than 30 years, the idea of exploiting the “shaping” merits of the material into some practical and appealing furniture became an obsession.
How did the process go crafting the tables from concrete with a printed travertine effect? What challenges or surprises came up when working through the production process?
The process itself had been tried out before. However, our demand on the production process was very excessive. We wanted the furniture pieces to be hollow to minimize weight, as you cannot move a solid travertine/marble table of that size around. We wanted the top and sides to meet in a way in which the transition was unnoticeable/not felt, and we wanted all pieces to be unique – like real travertine. We worked intensely with the factory, making many samples, and today, we can look at produced models that are absolutely stunning and bring to life the images I had envisioned in my head before starting the project.
With Tivoli’s bold architectural feel, how did you balance its sculptural design with functional versatility, especially given your interest in multifunctional furniture?
As already mentioned, one of the important features for functionality was the weight of the items. The smallest of the three will typically be used for various purposes and is easy to move.
The surface of the material used is very durable and much more practical than travertine.
I created three different sizes and shapes, so depending on space and someone’s needs, you can use for compact living or combine them in various ways and go cohesively together I did not want the individual pieces to fit together like a jigsaw, but I wanted to give them an organic style so they play together in a perfect imperfection.
Customization in relation to space, style and functions are very important for BoConcept and in my design for them. Travertine is considered an always modern and classic pattern/color fitting any style and environment. The longevity of a product is probably the best measure of sustainability. And I am pretty sure that Tivoli will stand the test of time with those qualifies.
How does this collection embody or depart from your previous work with BoConcept?
At Morten Georgsen Studio, we have always tried to open new doors when working with the design team from BoConcept. We are challenging them, and they challenge us. So, using new materials and creating a novel design language is an inspiring and creative way to work with BoConcept. Actually, some of the most successful collections we have made for them are embedding new materials like ceramics to mention one of them.
How do you see your Danish roots and Spanish influences merging in this collection? Are there cultural or stylistic influences that informed the design?
BoConcept’s design philosophy and DNA is very much in line with mine. It has Danish roots with an international approach and touch. Living in Spain and having my studio here has for sure opened my eyes to other influences. My look on minimalism has probably moved a bit, although I always start a project (and teach the designers in the studio to do the same) with the core version of a design. That’s also an excellent way to save materials and thereby practice sustainability.
Danish design culture does also have aspects of sculptural and organic shapes. Finn Juhl and Verner Panton come to my mind. I find inspiration all over the world and in every little detail I feel with my senses. I think the biggest inspirations I get from Spain is the beautiful light and lifestyle.
What role did material and color selection play in creating the Tivoli table collection, and how did you choose the specific travertine finish?
I have already commented on the modern classic feel travertine features and the longevity merits of that. But as you indicate in your question, travertine is many “sorts.” I chose to go close to the authentic Roman travertine with very little yellow in it. I felt that too much yellow would make the collection hard to fit with other materials like wood and fabrics, so the yellow was toned down to beige. The end result looks like a beautiful travertine found in Rome.
Available in three distinct shapes, Tivoli strikes the perfect balance between individuality and harmony. Whether styled solo or clustered together to create an “island” of tables, these pieces are ready to bring a sculptural, architectural presence to your space.
To learn more about the Tivoli tables by Morten Georgsen for BoConcept, visit boconcept.com.
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