AT Europe: Stacking Lawn Furniture from Dedon and the BHV

This stacking lawn furniture tower -- called Obelisk from Dedon -- was featured at a Paris furniture salon last year, and it was pretty stunning even without the ocean backdrop, with its four chairs and coffee table that could be piled into a sculptural object when not in use.

Lawn furniture has become incredibly high-tech, often as comfortable and expensive as its indoor counterparts. But the Obelisk from Dedon could also work in an unconventional studio apartment -- perfect for a dancer, maybe, who could put away her living room during the day so she could pirouette around the open floor space. Or an artist friend of mine who likes visitors to stop by his little studio for coffee breaks, but always frets that he doesn't have enough room for chairs and a coffee table.

And then I was at the BHV the other day, and noticed that they'd come up with their own knock-off of the Obelisk, the "golf ball salon" that includes two chairs and a table that stacks into a round shape. Could be a fun solution for a relatively small outdoor space. And it certainly seemed to be working indoors as well for these worn-out shoppers.

- Kristin Hohenadel blogging from rue Vieille du Temple, Paris, France. She can be reached at kristinh @ apartmenttherapy . com

Comments (18)

Ok, this is pretty neat.

posted by aladywhoknows on April 15th 2008 at 4:18am
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very cool......but how tall do you have to be to get at the top of the Obelisk??????

posted by anotherDCfan on April 15th 2008 at 4:29am
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you don't actually have to be very tall, i have seen the disassembling process in a store once - the top half actually comes off as one piece (which isn't as heavy as it looks) and then you can easily take apart the two pieces.

posted by Andreas on April 15th 2008 at 4:36am
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These are actually really comfortable too. I just sat in them the other day!

posted by djftex on April 15th 2008 at 4:36am
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Ikea, are you taking any notes?

posted by hejiranyc on April 15th 2008 at 5:04am
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Am I the only person that finds this horrendous?

posted by Sol on April 15th 2008 at 5:12am
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(I mean the obelisk)

posted by Sol on April 15th 2008 at 5:12am
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I love this! Very futuristic and fun!

posted by suzy8track on April 15th 2008 at 5:34am
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Honey,
There's a rocket in the neighbors yard!

posted by luvdecor on April 15th 2008 at 5:34am
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That BHV golf ball salon is â¬1190, or $1880. Yikes!

posted by Talloush on April 15th 2008 at 6:02am
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Which Paris furniture salon was this at? Assembled, It reminds me of the Gherkin tower in London. Too bad I don't have a patio for something like this!

posted by Gradon on April 15th 2008 at 6:39am
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@Gradon: Last year's Foire de Paris:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-europe/at-europe-paris-foire-de-paris-023535

posted by Kristin Hohenadel on April 15th 2008 at 7:05am
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The stackable concept seems like something more appropriate for indoor furniture (where space is more often at a premium), and in that case I think different materials would be more attractive and useful. I can't see many people being so hard up for versatile patio space that they'd need stackable furniture. And can anyone else see the wind knocking that thing over several times per summer?
Nonetheless, it looks great for outdoor furniture when NOT piled into a giant wicker phallace.

posted by ChristopherB on April 15th 2008 at 7:12am
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I don't know about the salon but i have seen this set more than a year ago in a shelter mag. (i rember stuff i particuarly don't like quite some time).

posted by kicki on April 15th 2008 at 7:18am
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Found it! march 06 in "Romantisch Wohnen", p 91.
diameter: 56cm (22 inches), 4300 euro (6794 usd)

posted by kicki on April 15th 2008 at 7:27am
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THey had the knockoffs on overstock, cant remember the price. You can find them on Ebay too. But I dont really get it. Why would you want to stack it anyway?

posted by greeps on April 15th 2008 at 7:37am
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I love Gravity's Rainbow, I would be so getting this if I had a yard.

posted by Ramstone on April 15th 2008 at 9:23am
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I love this design! What a wonderful way to store it out of the winter elements and not be taking up any more space than absolutely necessary.

posted by plain jane on April 15th 2008 at 9:29am
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