We see lace almost everywhere: in literature, in art, in home accessories, in fashion. It prompts thoughts of dignified grace, old-fashioned elegance, Victorian gentility or Gallic frippery. There are lace kerchiefs, lace veils, lace runners and tablecloths – all imparting a sense of delicate refinery. The Lace Table from gamplusfratesi somehow conveys a similar impression, but with a 21^st century twist.

According to the design agency’s web site, the Lace Table (and its accompanying Lace Chair) is a result of intensive study on the marriage or seamless combination of both tradition and advanced technology: a merger between the centuries-old art of lace and modern glass fiber. It’s a project that met at the crossroads of history and technology, something eminently suitable for either a home or commercial setting. The Lace Table would make for a whimsical piece of outdoor reception furniture, but without the delicacy of lace fabrics.

The company experimented by having glass fiber techniques and technology complement processes used in the textile industry, and vice versa. I can believe that. Just looking at the pictures make me feel they express a sense of strong delicacy – which kind of sounds like an oxymoron, but that’s how I’m inclined to describe it at this time.

Who are the forces behind the Lace Table? As mentioned earlier, this was conceptualized and developed by gamplusfratesi, which is a collaboration between Danish designer Stine Gam and Italian designer Enrico Fratesi. The confluence of these two designers’ cultures reflects their desire to have their work showcase aspects of poetry, tradition and technology together. These two designers, with their personal and unique design philosophy, are acclaimed all over the world in part because of their victories in many design competitions.