Bending Over Backwards: Origami Side Table from MIO

Making origami is one of those things I’ve always wished I knew how to do, but never learned. My stepmother is a very crafty lady, and origami is one of her many talents. I’ve always imagined how great gifts would look topped with a custom origami creation, or how they would make great place markers at Thanksgiving dinner. Until I finally sit down with a stack of old paper and learn how to do it, this ingenious table will suffice.

The Origami Side Table from MIO is a work of art. It is made of just 2 sheets of laser-cut steel, so it is resource-efficient and ships flat. It also slots together without tools, because one sheet is essentially the negative of the other. The pieces lock together once folded, and the table is a nice size at 19″ tall, 20″ wide and 20″ deep. Here’s a look at the process:

It is available in red, white and black, and I love the industrial feel of the powder-coated steel look. For me, this would probably be most appropriate in a bedroom, since my 3-year-old doesn’t need the enticement of a bendable table. But I love products that are interactive and make me feel like I am part of the creative process. Now to find a book on making paper origami…

Why It’s Green:

• Made of steel with recycled content
• Flat design makes it resource-effient and greatly reduces waste in production
• Ships flat-packed
• Powder-coating is zero-VOC process
• Recyclable

Price: $185