There’s something refreshing about furniture that doesn’t take itself too seriously while still being completely serious about design. The new Tong side table from designer Zelimhan Hamitsaev walks that line beautifully, bringing a playful sculptural presence to a piece that’s fundamentally about function.
At first glance, the Tong looks like it might topple over. That angled wooden wedge connecting the circular base to the kidney bean-shaped top seems to defy logic, like it’s mid-lean in some elegant furniture ballet. But that’s exactly what makes it so visually compelling. The geometry creates this sense of movement and lightness, even though the piece is crafted from solid wood and stands a confident 700 mm tall (that’s about 27.5 inches for those of us still mentally translating).
Designer: Zelimhan Hamitsaev
The tabletop itself deserves attention. It’s not quite oval, not quite rectangular. Instead, it has this organic, almost pebble-like shape with softly rounded edges that feel like they’ve been worn smooth by water over time. There’s something inherently friendly about curves like these. They invite you to set down your coffee cup, your phone, that book you’ve been meaning to finish. The surface area is just right for those essentials that need a home within arm’s reach of your favorite reading chair or sofa.
What really sets the Tong apart is its commitment to solid wood construction. In an era when so much furniture relies on veneers, particle board, and shortcuts, there’s something grounding about a piece that embraces natural material through and through. You can see it in the natural wood version, where the grain patterns tell their own story across the surface. But the collection also offers painted finishes in a palette that feels both contemporary and timeless: dusty blue, forest green, terracotta orange, and soft grey. These aren’t the shouty colors of trend-chasing design. They’re the kind of hues that feel right now but won’t feel dated in five years.
The Tong side table joins a family that’s been steadily growing. The collection already includes an armchair, three coffee tables, a dining chair, and three dining tables. What’s clever about the range is how each piece maintains the same design DNA, that distinctive angled support element and organic shapes, without being matchy-matchy. You could absolutely style multiple Tong pieces together for a cohesive look, or let a single side table be your conversation starter in an eclectic space.
That sculptural quality makes the Tong more than just functional furniture. It’s the kind of piece that changes how a room feels. Place it next to a mid-century armchair, and it adds contemporary edge. Put it beside a minimalist sofa, and it introduces warmth and personality. The design is confident enough to hold its own but humble enough to play well with others.
There’s also something to be said for furniture that looks like it has a point of view. The Tong doesn’t try to disappear into the background or apologize for taking up space. That dramatic support angle makes a statement, but it’s a statement about thoughtful engineering and creative problem-solving rather than empty theatrics. It’s the difference between design that screams for attention and design that earns it.
For anyone navigating the overwhelming world of furniture shopping, pieces like the Tong offer a middle path between disposable fast furniture and investment heirlooms that require a second mortgage. It’s thoughtfully made, visually interesting, and genuinely useful. The kind of side table that makes you happy every time you reach for your morning coffee or set down your evening glass of wine.
In smaller living spaces where every piece needs to pull its weight aesthetically and functionally, the Tong’s compact footprint and vertical emphasis make it particularly smart. It provides surface area without eating up valuable floor space, and that eye-catching silhouette gives you decorative impact without requiring additional styling. The Tong side table proves that everyday objects can have personality without sacrificing practicality. It’s furniture that works hard and looks good doing it, which is really all we can ask from the pieces we live with every day.
The post The Tong Side Table Turns Geometry Into Good Company first appeared on Yanko Design.
