Gerrit Rietveld Crate Table

“The Crate table is available in two lengths, with a rectangular top and diagonal cross-braces; it is crafted from solid pine with a water-based lacquer finish in several colors.”: HAY

Added in 2024, this is the dining table of the series: 180 cm for six, 230 cm for eight, 89.5 cm wide, 74.5 cm high. The cross-braces under the top are those of the original crates, and they provide bracing for the base.

Pine and water-based lacquer

Each piece is made of solid pine: HAY writes solid pinewood on all product sheets: protected by a water-based lacquer, transparent on the natural version, tinted on the other four. HAY explains its choice of water-based lacquer: it “emits fewer volatile organic compounds than standard PU lacquer” and “was developed to match the durability of traditional PU finishes.” The series is rated for outdoor use, “suitable for a wide range of outdoor environments,” and is delivered flat-packed, with standard gliders. Five finishes: natural, white, London fog (a warm gray), iron red, and black.

Crate, the crate furniture by Gerrit Rietveld

In 1934, Gerrit Rietveld designed a chair using planks from shipping crates: salvaged wood, visible joints, and an assembly plan that anyone could follow. HAY summarizes the origin: “originally designed to utilize surplus wooden shipping crates.” The series was sold at the time as “weekend furniture” by the Metz & Co store in Amsterdam, notes Titus Darley of Rietveld Originals. HAY reissued it in 2023 with Rietveld Originals: lounge chair, chair, coffee table, and side table first, then the sofa, bench, and dining table in 2024. Rolf Hay, co-founder of the company: “It’s hard to imagine anything closer to our design values, because Rietveld’s mission was really to create a cool, affordable, and accessible range of furniture for everyone.”