Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Hongisto' Pine Dining Table for Laukaan

Ilmari Tapiovaara / Laukaan Puu, Ltd. / Finland

Ilmari Tapiovaara 'Hongisto' pine dining table. The handsomely deigned table top consists of two pieces of pine wood (a favorite material for the designer) joined together. Born in Finland, Tapiovaara is one of the most important players in 20th century design. He attends the Institute of Industrial Design to study industrial and interior design, and upon graduation, he works, among other places, in the London studio of Alvar Aalto and the Paris studio of Le Corbusier. With the help of his wife, architect Annikki Tapiovaara, he establishes a design studio in 1950. In addition to his work designing furniture, he is also a creative in graphic design, photography, interior design, and architecture and won six gold medals at the Milan Triennial for his work, more than any other designer in the world. This piece, from his time designing for Laukaan Puu, is lightly refinished, with some remaining wear consistent with its age and use.