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Interior designers are increasingly using wood and stone tables with carved, hammered or otherwise textured edges, according to a Livingetc report. Designers say the finish adds contrast and tactile character, but recommend using it selectively because textured surfaces can be harder to clean.
Interior designers are increasingly choosing wood and stone tables with rough, textured edges, according to a Livingetc report, using carved, hammered and jagged finishes to bring an organic counterpoint to polished rooms. Designers interviewed for the report describe the detail as a way to add tactile interest and visual contrast, though they also caution that the surfaces may be less practical to clean.
The pieces featured include dining, coffee and side tables with edges that appear raw or irregular. Some use stone such as travertine or marble; others keep the material’s natural character visible through carving or other texturing. The report presents the style as an emerging design tendency, but provides no sales figures or broader industry data to measure how widespread it is.
Steffanie Ball, co-founder of furniture brand En Gold, told Livingetc that rough edges can make natural materials’ imperfections part of a room’s design. She said the contrast between an organic surface and clean lines can give a space warmth and character. Ball’s company includes textured-edge beige marble dining tables and raw fossil-stone plinths in its collection.
Adyn Kelly, an Australian interior designer, described a table combining a jagged travertine top with straight chrome legs. He said the contrast was deliberate: the stone edge was intended to read like a natural fracture, while the machined legs remain precise. Kelly said the top was water-cut after its lines and steps were drawn by hand, rather than being an untouched piece of stone.
Texture Against Polished Interiors
The appeal is less about a new material than a change in how familiar materials are finished. A rough edge can interrupt rooms dominated by smooth stone, glass, metal and clean lines, adding variation without requiring a bright color or a large decorative object. Designers interviewed by Livingetc say that contrast can help a room feel more layered and connect a piece of furniture to the natural qualities of its material.
The idea also shifts attention to touch. A table is both a functional surface and an object people encounter at close range, especially around meals or while sitting in a living room. The textured edge makes the finish noticeable by hand as well as by sight. That may appeal to people seeking handmade character, although the report does not establish that the trend is changing purchasing habits or becoming standard across the industry.
There is a practical trade-off. Kelly told the publication that rough-edged finishes are not the easiest to clean, and suggested reserving them for places where the surface is seen more than heavily used. A striking detail may work on a coffee table, plinth or console, while a dining surface used every day calls for consideration of upkeep as well as appearance.
handcrafted textured edge wood dining table
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Where Designers Use the Finish
The designers quoted in the report recommend using the detail selectively rather than repeating it on every piece. Ball said textured edges can appear on coffee tables, consoles, shelving and plinths, or in smaller decorative objects such as stone bowls and vessels. She described restraint as the way to make repeated materials feel intentional without overwhelming a room.
Yasmine Ghoniem, director of Sydney studio YSG, suggested rough detailing on coffee-table edges or legs, and also mentioned using it on the fronts of bedside consoles or feature wardrobes. Kelly pointed to plinths, the end of a bench run and powder-room vanities as other possibilities, particularly where the visual effect matters more than frequent handling.
The examples in Livingetc include a travertine table designed by Kelly, a marble dining table from En Gold, and a round table by Paris-based designer Emmanuelle Simon with a carved edge and a hand-gouged base. These are individual projects and products, not evidence of a quantified market shift. The report’s trend description is based on examples and designer interviews.
““It celebrates the imperfections that make natural materials so beautiful, rather than trying to disguise them.””
— Steffanie Ball, co-founder of En Gold, speaking to Livingetc
How Broad the Trend Is
The report does not provide a publication date, sales data, survey results or a defined time period for the trend. Its description that rough-edged tables are appearing more often reflects the publication’s observation and interviews, not a measured increase across the furniture market. It is not clear how many designers or buyers are adopting the look, or whether interest extends beyond the projects and brands featured.
Practical performance will also depend on the material, the exact texture and how a piece is used. The source notes cleaning concerns but does not give care instructions, durability testing or comparisons between finishes. Buyers should ask manufacturers about maintenance and suitability for their intended use rather than assume all rough-edged surfaces behave alike.
Choosing a Rough-Edged Piece
The report does not identify a scheduled industry event or next milestone. For readers considering the finish, the immediate next step is to compare examples in person where possible, check how the edge feels and ask the maker how to clean and maintain it. A smaller piece, such as a side table or plinth, may offer a way to test the look before choosing a large dining table.
Designers quoted by Livingetc favor pairing the rough surface with calmer elements such as upholstered seating, timber, linen and warm lighting. Whether the style spreads more widely remains to be seen; the available source establishes designer interest and examples, but not a market-wide forecast.
Key Questions
What is a rough-edged table?
It is a table whose edge is deliberately carved, hammered, jagged or otherwise textured, often in wood or stone, rather than finished as a smooth, uniform line.
Why are designers using textured table edges?
Designers interviewed by Livingetc say the finish adds organic character, tactile interest and contrast to rooms with polished or clean-lined surfaces. That is their design rationale, not a quantified claim about consumer demand.
Are rough-edged tables harder to maintain?
They may be. Designer Adyn Kelly told Livingetc that the finish is not the easiest to clean. Maintenance will depend on the material and the degree of texture, so buyers should ask the maker for care guidance.
Where can the look be used besides a dining table?
Designers cited coffee tables, consoles, shelving, plinths, bedside furniture and decorative stone objects. Several recommend using the detail selectively rather than applying it throughout a room.
Source: rss
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