furniture archives

Ever been to a residential apartment sample flat? Well, we had the chance to visit one last month, and couldn’t help but exclaim at how ‘safe’ the design was! Beige palette, the same old mirror tricks, the same old boxy console table. It just felt as if everything looked the same; no accents, no design language, nothing! It was nice, sure — but exciting? Not at all! So, when we had the chance to design a custom console installation for a reputed real estate brand’s luxury sample plant in Pune, we knew we had to do something extra! Plus, we didn’t want to play safe; we eventually wanted something bold, beautiful & daring. Something that would define the space for us; not just anchor it! And then, what started as a simple requirement (“a console for the entrance foyer”) turned into an exercise in form, flow, and pushing the limits of how we interpret furniture. And here's the story behind it. Top Insights The Element & Co’s custom console follows a sculptural or minimal-luxury style with curved, 18mm thick MDF ribs, handcrafted legs & a blue lacquer finish. The console table was already a total showstopper. But, the team styled it minimally with mirrors, brass walls scones & pampas grass vases for more dimension. Bespoke, custom-made and yet durable pieces are tough to find in Pune! So, do contact the Element & Co if you want yours! Meet the Makers The Primary Console Table Brief: Simple, Until It Wasn't © The Element & Co & Archwhispers.com It was a regular Monday morning. We were just finalizing some premium console table designs when the client, a reputed developer, approached us. He basically wanted a console table for the entrance lobby of his premium sample flat. But, something different, something that could be a great conversation starter, a mark of luxury, and a seamless fit to the sleek, modern vibe they were going for. “We don’t want something off the catalogue,” he added later. “Make us something no one has seen before.” And that’s when, we at the Element & Co donned in our creative hats and set to work. Trust us, we live for moments like this. Moments where we get to turn spaces into experiences using innovative materials & creative forms. You know, we first went on site, had a perfect idea about the expected design style, the interior finishing, and then we finally conceptualized the theme of ‘sculpted design.’ So, this one is basically a design approach where we shape three-dimensional forms & surfaces using organic, fluid or carved miens to achieve depth, contour & visual interest. And though this style relies heftily on aesthetics & dynamics, we made it a point to maintain our on-point craftsmanship to a tactile, warm & Indian aesthetic tone. And now, the console table brief was eventually clear - functional art with a fluid form, rich materiality & just an unexpected, ice-breaking presence! About The Element & Co We, at the Element & Co, are a premium furniture, interior styling & experience brand near Swargate, Pune. And it’s not just products. Our work also ranges from sculptural installations and bespoke furniture to interactive wall art and modular systems — all rooted in sculptural thinking and deep customization. In fact, every piece we make is an exploration of form, material and meaning. Plus, we also love teaming up with architects, designers, and brands who are up for anything. Why? Because we think the best designs aren't just pretty to look at—they actually make you feel something. What Was Our Primary Inspiration Behind the Console Table's Design? Well, poetically, our primary inspiration was drapery frozen in motion. Something fluid & dynamic. We didn’t want just a plain, boxy table with legs; we craved a sense of movement. A console table that felt like it was caught in the act; a curtain pulled by the unknown; or the design of a fabric gracefully cascading mid-fall. Like, we mostly wanted to center the design around gravity-driven flow. So for that, we first started our primary sketches, analyzed the balance, the load calculations and so much more. In fact, the final form, which you see in the image, follows the same logic! It’s like a wave that cascades down from the top & appears to fold into itself. But while the piece does look soft & fluid, it’s made up of precisely cut, but stacked MDF layers for strength, rigidity & durability. © The Element & Co What's So Special About This Console Design? © The Element and Co As I already mentioned, our console design follows the basic principles of structural patterns, woven with the tensile strength of MDF. But here’s what makes it even better: 1. The Console Table Form: So, this sample flat console design has a well-curated design indeed. Like, the console kinda looks like it's melting right into the floor from the front. But then you walk around to the side, and BAM! You see these super sharp, sliced angles. It's like, fun and quirky, but also well-designed obviously! There’s a rhythm to it — a language of precision and shadow. 2. The Materiality: Now, what good is the form if the material’s not durable & well-thought of, isn’t it? Well, even we, at the Element & Co, feel the same. No wonder we used MDF - one for ample tensile strength and two, to resist stains, warp everything! Plus, this console table MDF was over 18mm thick, cut into over 60 curved slices with different lengths and curvatures. The pieces were then sanded, sealed & painted with a deep indigo matte lacquer for a rich, ultramodern finish. 3. The Console Table Legs: Now, the base was ready! But, we decided to warm it up a bit for more visual interest. And that’s where we popped in a pair of hand-turned wooden legs in natural teak tone. We're basically trying to get the best of both worlds – mixing that super precise, machine-made vibe with the old-school, handcrafted feel. It's like a conversation between the past and the future, you know? 4. The Finish & Color Palette: We went with that super deep blue on purpose. It's got a real kick to it, but it also just works with the marble floors and those soft ivory walls. So, it's bold, yeah! But it also kinda blends in perfectly. And those wood legs? They're like the final touch that just pulls everything together and makes it feel solid. How Did We Style This Console Table in the Sample Flat? Well, we didn’t style this console table in the living rooms, dining rooms or hallways, just like other people do. We installed this straight in the entry foyer. Yes, it was literally the first piece visitors saw on entering the flat. Some touched it, some bent down to check the curves, some even asked i it was carved from a single block (spoiler: it wasn’t). But, what we meant was that the piece did catch attention & sparked curiosity, conversation & even a few a dew Instagram stories from fellow designers. In fact, one of the architects even quoted - “This doesn’t look like a console. It looks like something out of a design museum.” — Architect visiting the site with a client And honestly, that’s what our console table looked like. It demanded attention! We eventually did style it, minimally of course, but with the following elements: A tall ceramic vase with white pampas grass. A pair of brass wall sconces flanking it, casting shadows on the layered surface. A round mirror above — but intentionally off-centered, to follow the asymmetry of the design. So as you guess, the goal was not to clutter, but to let the console table breathe! Let it be the star of the show and anchor the look together. In fact, from a real estate point, this was gold. Like, even the developer told us that the console table was creating a memorable, long-lasting impression! It hinted at elegance, and luxury, and went in sync with the brand’s upscale positioning. What more do we even want? Why This Project Matters? Trust us, we’ve done a lot of projects in the past. Some individual homes, offices, garden sculptures, everything! But this one simply hits different. And here’s why: It Just Evolved On its Own: Trust me, we didn’t have any external references, form brochures or templates while designing it. So, we derived the final console table form on our own, just on a simple logic of curvature & control points. It was just pure algorithmic beauty. Balance of Craft & Code: Despite a precise, machine-cut MDF slicing, we handcrafted the console table legs right in our studio itself. And even the finish was hand-painted. So, you know, it was a complete blend of the digital & analog - the machine & man! A Highlight on its Own: Well, as we mentioned before, this console table was literally a stand-alone piece in the entry foyer. It wasn't trying to be part of some matching set or anything. It just was. Pure, unadulterated power, right there! FAQs Conclusion So as you see, the console table wasn’t a simple product. It wasn’t a generic piece of furniture, either. It was actually a moment for us. A moment that allowed people to anchor their attention, spark curiosity and drive more leads for our client, a real-estate developer. In fact, that’s our motto at the Element & Co. In a world where most interiors follow a space, furniture and silhouette formula, we strive for variation. We pledge to create something that breaks the rhythm - something that asks to be looked twice, always! And if you are someone who values detail, story and craft like us, do contact us right away to create something equally dynamic and meaningful for your space. And here’s a lovely ceramic vase with pampas grass if you wish to style it further: