Artists are no stranger to the allure of the ocean. And while there have been many attempts to translate its mysteries, we’ve yet to find a designer to do it with as much panache as Julien Lagueste. His debut collection of tables is more of a homecoming than anything else. Their exquisite surfaces and undulating bases a tribute to the exquisite reflections and sweeping shorelines he experienced growing up in the French city of La Trinité-sur-Mer.
First presented at Maison & Objet in 2019, they’ve since become a cult classic at The Invisible Collection — a mesmerising drop of the ocean that can be used to enliven even the darkest of rooms. It helps that gazing into their unusual surface is a little bit like peering into a blue lagoon. This sense of depth, unattainable with traditional surfaces such as glass or marble, is achieved through the careful layering of five pigmented resin coats. Each requires at least 24 hours to set, during which time their inky portents intensify.
The slow grace with which they are made only adds to their artistry, allowing Lagueste the time to start cutting, stacking and sanding the undulating wooden base. We’re reminded of the old Anne Morrow Lindberg adage that the sea rewards patience, a sentiment with which Lagueste is quick to concur. “Each piece needs a long time, but I like things that take time and make little quantities,” he says.
The hand-made process also allows for custom sizes and finishes — a truly bespoke bit of design for those in search of something exquisite. Never one to be outdone on functionality, the Nesting edition also features removable tops — a thoughtful gesture that allows you to hide away the flotsam and jetsam of domestic life or stack them together when not in use.
Sculptural yet poetic, the Souvenir des Iles collection is a sparkling debut from the young French artist. Each a love letter to the easy-going rhythms of life by the sea. And a style we’re delighted to share with exclusivity at The Invisible Collection.