Wicker Emporium Blog Musings from the Photo Studio: Titanic Tables

As the Creative Coordinator here at wicker emporium, I have the pleasure of being among the first to see new products as they arrive at our Headquarters. I'm constantly impressed with what the Kapahi's bring home from their adventures around the world. Sometimes a shipment will arrive and it will be full delicately ornate accessories like hand made acacia coasters. Other times, giants come to town...For instance, this week I got the opportunity to photograph the brand new 7 foot Raja Organic and Klondike dinning tables. Without question, these tables are spectacles in both craftsmanship and shear scale. Take for instance the Raja, which weighs in at whopping 324lbs. That makes it approximately 120lbs heavier than a baby elephant. Now that's a big table, but at 445lbs the Klondike easily takes the cake for titanic proportions. The legs alone weigh 85lbs each!As I was working with these two pieces in the studio I asked myself a challenging question. Which piece do I prefer most? Though both tables are made of solid (and I mean solid) acacia wood and feature a mesmerizing live edge, they have their own unique appeal that sets them worlds apart. While the Klondike boasts a natural and almost sweet finish that showcases the wood's dynamic grain, the Raja takes a darker and more cosmopolitan approach. This is particularly notable with Raja's sleek metal legs that allow for your space to flow through the table's design. Meanwhile, Klondike likes to keep things all natural and carries that incredible live edge all the way down to its base giving it a grounded and monolithic presence. This table makes a powerful statement with unabashed embrace of the natural dining experience.I don't know about you, but I'm the kind of guy who thrives in a space that is galvanized by an eclectic mix of textures, materials, and curiosities. Off the top of my head a piece like the Orissa Crank Bar Table immediately catches my attention as it incorporates all of the aforementioned qualities in one grab. It has a loft-style which appeals to me. The solid mango wood surface smolders under a spicy stain which turns the grain of the wood into a piece of art. The warmth of the top is contrasted sharply contrasted by a base that looks like a piece of vintage factory equipment that has been restored and re-purposed. Love! But I digress...With those sensibilities in mind, I would have to ere on the side of Raja. I really appreciate the contrasting elements of wood and metal and especially how the design of the legs provide balance to weight of the table top. That's just me, and maybe if I had different dining room to work with I'd pick the Klondike. Regardless, it was wonderful shoot and it was nice to work with such stunning subjects.What about you? If you could only choose one, what would it be?