When I first saw these new furniture pieces from Paloma's Nest I thought they looked like something unearthed from a sawdust-filled crate, perfectly preserved for a century or two. That's pretty much what Caroline and Jose are going for. Their goal, they told me, was to "create pieces that are timeless; instead of following trends, we strive to make pieces that will still be beautiful 100 years from now."

If the name Paloma's Nest rings a bell, you probably associate the name with beautiful ceramics (which they are still making!). When Jose, a woodworker, joined his wife Caroline they were able to translate their aesthetic into furniture and these Menagerie pieces are the first, delightful, result. A giraffe, rhino, elephant and gorilla gather around the tree table as if at a Saharan watering hole. I think these would look terrific in homes with either modern or traditional decor and needn't be relegated to a child's room.

Each piece is made by hand in their Austin studio from eco-friendly birch plywood and they ship fully assembled (rare these days). The chairs ($198) and table ($238) can be purchased individually or at a discounted rate ($598) for a set of two chairs and a table.

Find the Menagerie table and chairs at Paloma's Nest alongside their other "modern heirlooms."