the gutterball dining table: old bowling alley becomes new table

Remember that old bowling alley on the main street of your hometown that closed a while back? Well, imagine if those old alleys didn’t hit the landfill, but instead ended up IN your kitchen table. Or desk. Or coffee table.

That’s what’s going on at Counter Evolution – they are taking back those old alleys and putting them in furniture.

No surprise: a Brooklyn-based company. Their furniture has been featured in Starbucks and highlighted in modern design publications like Dwell.

I’d say they’re bowling a perfect 300.

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Get your reclaimed wood and reclaimed wood products

Reclaimed wood is all the rage these days, and for good reason. It’s environmentally sound (no new trees downed), it’s usually quality wood (from back when 2 x 4s were actually 2″ by 4″) and it looks great.

You can buy reclaimed wood furniture from places like Environment, but it’ll cost you.

Ever wonder where they get the reclaimed wood? Usually it’s old wood from old barns. Sometimes older houses. Now you can order it directly online from Reclaimed Wood Company. They have some pre-made furniture – beds, shelves, storage – and even flooring.

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Give your books some recess

Don’t you think it’s about time your books had some fun? Like good ol’ playground fun? Let’s be honest, they’ve just been sitting there patiently and quietly while you’ve been watching John Stewart. They didn’t nag you or make you feel guilty or anything.

You should get them this see-saw bookshelf by BCXSY. If done correctly, you can get it to balance. That means you might have to have some heavier reads on either side (War and Peace vs. Ulysses?).

They’ll appreciate it, I’m sure.

Pricing on inquiry.

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Reclaimed wood desk

This reclaimed wood trend is great: environmentally sound because they’re using wood that would otherwise be bound for the trash heap (or papermill). The Dylan Desk here is 90% reclaimed pine with a raw finish.

We think this particular desk/table is awesome with the sawhorse-like leg stands.

It would make a great desk (of course), or even a dining table – just throw some benches or stools around it and you’re done.

Dimensions: 67″L, 31.5″W, 29.5″H

Right now (until Feb. 28 2010) Terrain is offering 25% off all indoor tables, so this desk, usually $1000, would be about $750.

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Coffee table with topography

Have a custom TOPO coffee table built. Designer Scott Franklin will create matching plastic inserts where you like (molded over stones) that add depressions on your table where you can put small artifacts, sand, or plants.

Very unique and fun accent. The white color makes your topography stand out more. Great conversation piece.

$2300

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