Sharp Bob McDonald Outdoor Coffee Table
This sharp, utterly linear offering is from celebrated NZ designer Bob McDonald. Known for his refined, pared back designs, McDonald connects his work to both Scandinavian modernism and an influence from the minimal, highly original Japanese designer Shiro Kuramata.
McDonald won the Best Design Award in 2001 for a sophisticated outdoor table and bench. This rare coffee table is from the same family of designs. It provides a simple, inviting setting crafted from a zinc coated steel frame with a slatted rosewood top. Pair this table with modern chairs to create the perfect indoor or outdoor setting.
Each piece is checked and carefully hand restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
Each piece is checked and carefully restored at our Kingsland studio workshop. Our focus is preserving the character and patina of the design while ensuring it displays beautifully in a contemporary interior.
- Joints checked and reglued
- Timber cleaned and stains removed
- Veneer repairs if needed
- Surfaces polished / refinished
The items showcased in our gallery are constantly changing – not all items are on display at once.
Please enquire if there is a specific piece you would like to view and we’ll make sure it’s in the gallery.
All pieces are available for collection in person from our Ponsonby gallery. We are also happy to provide a quote for delivery throughout New Zealand.
Please enquire for delivery options.
Sharp Bob McDonald Outdoor Coffee Table
Note: We showcase a curated edit from the Mr. Bigglesworthy catalogue. Please contact us to view specific items.
Bob McDonald began his career working for a large furniture factory on Auckland’s North Shore (most likely the Morgan furniture factory) in the 1960s. It was here that he was introduced to New Zealand made, Scandinavian influenced furniture, an aesthetic which instantly appealed.
In the 1970s McDonald started to design his own furniture which was well received by leading retailers. His first design was a barstool made from Rimu and woven cane. The stool was received enthusiastically, which gave McDonald the confidence to leave his day job and focus on designing contemporary furniture.
During the 1980s, Bob joined the progressive artisan collectives that thrived in the rundown warehouses of Auckland’s inner city. It was a creative time but as the buildings were demolished and replaced with apartments the scene began to change. The financial crash of 1987 had far-reaching effects, this led to McDonald leaving furniture to do building work.
A turning point in McDonald’s career came in 1994. Although Bob was in his 40s, he made the decision to embark on a four-year design degree at Unitec. Bob wanted to benefit from a deeper, formal understanding of the design process. The study also gave Bob an insight into his own work, he could see his aesthetic was informed by the furniture he worked with back in the ’60s.
On completing his degree Bob once again focused on furniture design. His approach was grounded in an appreciation of the Scandinavian design of the 50s and 60s, along with traditional and modern Japanese influences. He became focused on creating pared down functional structures that were reduced and refined to their most simple form.
The hard work quickly paid off and Bob McDonald became one of the most respected New Zealand furniture designers of the early 2000s. His furniture was showcased in leading retailers, and he earned a Best Design Award in 2001 for his sophisticated outdoor table and bench. Bob passed away in 2012, leaving a legacy of inspired and minimalist New Zealand furniture.
Main reference: Architecture Now – The good factor by Nicole Stock
