CPH 25 Round Table by Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec

The CPH 25 is the large round table in the series. At 120 cm in diameter, it seats six; at 140 cm, eight. At these diameters, the round shape ceases to be a compromise and becomes a choice: there is no head of the table, no blind spot, and dishes placed in the center remain within everyone's reach. The four water-based lacquered solid oak legs are set back from the edge and flare slightly outwards, leaving ample legroom all around. Height 74 cm.

The base is available in water-based lacquered solid oak, black lacquer, burgundy lacquer, or deep blue lacquer; the tabletop comes in linoleum, laminate, or lacquered oak veneer. Each combination is curated by HAY, and the tabletop edge is always lacquered to match the base.

Three tabletop materials, three uses

Linoleum is not vinyl: it is oxidized linseed oil mixed with wood flour and resin, pressed onto a jute backing. It is matte, warm to the touch, does not reflect light from pendant lamps, and absorbs the sound of a plate being set down. However, it will show marks if you cut on it. Laminate is the opposite: a hard, closed surface that is resistant to water and the heat of a dish, and is more reflective. Finally, the water-based lacquered wood veneer leaves the grain visible and ages like wood: it is the most beautiful and the most delicate of the three.

In all cases, the edge of the tabletop is lacquered to match the tone of the base: this is what gives the table its continuous line when viewed from the side.