Mr Brown
Side table for
Sitia
2018
Mr Brown is a contemporary side table designed for Sitia that blends functional design, elegance, and versatility into a single refined object. Conceived as a compact yet expressive piece of furniture, Mr Brown works as an everyday companion, holding personal items in an entryway or serving coffee beside a sofa or armchair.
The design is defined by two slender metal stems rising from a geometric marble base and supporting two distinct tabletops at different heights. This configuration allows the table to adapt seamlessly to various environments: as a side table in a living room, a coffee table next to a sofa, or a nightstand in a bedroom. The staggered heights enhance usability while reinforcing the sculptural quality of the object.
A removable wooden catch-all tray completes the design, offering a practical surface for keys, coins, smartphones, or small everyday objects. The tray can be lifted and used independently, making Mr Brown both a functional furniture piece and a portable organiser.
The dodecahedron marble base, polished and faceted, reflects light like a gemstone, adding a subtle sense of luxury and architectural presence. With its balance of materials—metal, marble, and wood—Mr Brown embodies a modern design side table that combines practicality with timeless elegance.
Process
The design of Mr Brown is a visual and conceptual interpretation of Sitia’s brand identity. The circular shape of the tabletops directly references the dot motif of the Sitia logo, transforming a graphic element into a three-dimensional design feature. In this way, branding becomes form, and identity is embedded into the object itself.
Mr Brown is conceived as a functional design object with a strong symbolic presence, where proportions, materials, and geometry work together to express elegance and discretion. The dual tops, balanced on slender metal stems, reinforce the idea of support and service while maintaining a light, architectural profile.
The name Mr Brown pays homage to John Brown, the loyal personal attendant of Queen Victoria, known for his discreet presence and constant availability. This reference reinforces the concept of the table as a silent assistant, always close at hand, functional yet never intrusive.
Through this narrative, Mr Brown becomes more than a designer side table: it is a thoughtful fusion of brand identity, historical reference, and contemporary furniture design.