When I was first asked to design furniture for Bernhardt, I was nervous about moving from one design area to another. I made the leap from menswear design to contract textiles, but serious furniture design engineering seemed out of my league.

However, after a lot of thought and friendly support, I took that leap of faith. Why not? I would never know my limitations if I didn’t try. I’m glad I didn’t let self-doubt hold me back.

Recently, I designed an occasional table called Martini. The Martini table’s minimal profile has a progressive, yet whimsical look. The shape of the metal base is similar to that of a martini glass, and the top looks very much like a cocktail tray.

The factory worked with me on assembling all metal pieces, aluminum and heavy steel, together in a way that makes the table sturdy. The finish is maple, and although it looks simple, it was truly a collaborative feat of engineering and design. I don’t know why, but there seems to be an unwritten rule that anything simple is a challenge to manufacture.

The various sizes are still to be determined, each having to undergo rigorous testing. A few engineering issues have to be resolved, but availability is scheduled for early next year. It’s hard to believe that the simplest piece I’ve designed so far is taking the longest to bring to life.