Iain Howlett has come up with a new, fun and practical application of the kid-favorite papier-mâché. Paper pulp is molded into table surfaces; these are held up by minimal wooden legs sculpted from stick lumber and hardwood dowels.

Though lightweight, the tables are very strong and can be used on a permanent basis. Structural cues have been taken from industrial paper pulp packaging, used to ship eggs, electronics, and other industrial parts. To prove the robustness of these pieces, the designer stood on an overturned paper bowl, which didn’t give way at all.

The molding process allows for a high level of control over the form of the surface. Howlett has taken advantage of this by creating tables that are suited to different things, from tea stands and coffee tables to a side table combined with a lamp, a more traditional furniture type seldom seen in contemporary homes.

The ornamental possibilities of molding paper pulp have not been overlooked. The surfaces are imprinted with patterns that strengthen the structure of the pieces as much as they decorate them, somewhere between crystal candy dishes and the structurally pleated aluminum cans commonly found in Japan.

This project provides a means to take paper out of the conventional recycling and waste stream and turn it into a durable piece of furniture that could be used on a long-term basis, especially if maintained properly. For paper, this is quite an achievement. Better yet, the designer is currently in talks with design engineers to develop a true cradle-to-cradle process for the manufacture and disposal of these furniture pieces.

If you’re looking for something a little rougher, try David Amar’s Raymond furniture construction system, which turns assorted planks of wood into stable surfaces. Each leg is stuffed with material, then shimmed. A little space made especially for a wedge shaped block to fit into is programmed into the leg. The result is a user-composed, ‘bespoke’ object that can be reconfigured again and again. Sand and finish older planks for a more finished look or keep it rough around the edges for something more rustic.