On the Brink

Brooklyn-based designer Jake Wright of Stockpile Designs draws inspiration from his eclectic upbringing; raised in a home cluttered with model airplanes and worldly artifacts collected throughout his father’s USAF career, the young artist draws on the unconventional and obsolete to create powerful, mil-spec designs. Hand made from white oak and steel in Wright’s New York studio, the Brink makes a bold statement without speaking a word. Concise, aggressive geometry gives the piece a strong presence that betrays its modest size, while simple two part “shared-component” construction – made from nothing more than a single steel leg assembly and a reverse-mounted, rift-sawn tabletop — adds to its straight-forward elegance. A hand-applied black patina provides fierce contrast against the pale, exposed wood in a perfect balance between nature and refinement. Though it appears to waver on the brink of falling, the clever design stands its ground while adding a touch of daring to the minimal aesthetic. Handsome and functional, this sharp end table proves that sometimes, less is more. The Brink is the smallest in Stockpile’s Perimeter series, a collection of three simple wooden surfaces with edgy steel supports. You can have your own table made to order here (with customized dimensions and materials if you should choose) or check out Wright’s website to see even more unique and inventive work.