The Parasol coffee table by Maze emphasizes the core aspects of the Swedish brand’s design philosophy: it is simultaneously playful and practical. Conceived by Finnish master cabinetmaker Antrei Hartikainen, the simple and unadorned design is inspired by ponds and water lilies. It features a clever construction of wood and metal that creates the illusion of the tabletop floating over the base – like water lily leaves that float on the surface of the water. The name of the coffee table, Parasol, refers to sunshades, playfully nodding to the table’s structure. The wooden base doubles as a storage basket for books, children’s toys or earphones and remote controls, with the items covered by the tabletop as if it were a parasol. To achieve the challenging structure, Maze and Hartikainen teamed up with the Swedish manufacturer Steel Nova, whose expertise came in handy in creating a stable construction that reflects Hartikainen’s vision. The Parasol coffee table is a great example of furniture that strikes the perfect balance between fun and functional, clever and clean-lined. Therefore, it is just as easy to envision in a compact urban apartment as it is in the lounge space of a lavish boutique hotel.