Collection by William Lamb

Modern Picnic-Style Tables

Picnic tables. They work well inside or out, and they conjure happy memories of lazy summertime afternoons spent with friends and family. They're also simple and not fussy, and they allow for clear sight lines though a space. Put another way, they are perfectly at home in the modern world. Here are some graceful picnic-style tables from Dwell's archives.

The Half Full table and bench are by Ross Gardam.
The Half Full table and bench are by Ross Gardam.
Backless picnic-style benches stand in for chairs at the refinished Milwaukee Public Library table where the family eats their meals. The sofa and armchair are from Luminaire.
Backless picnic-style benches stand in for chairs at the refinished Milwaukee Public Library table where the family eats their meals. The sofa and armchair are from Luminaire.
The family takes full advantage of their sylvan yard, Sarah Baird and her children Bo and Sky read a book out on the picnic table.
The family takes full advantage of their sylvan yard, Sarah Baird and her children Bo and Sky read a book out on the picnic table.
The sides of the table then fold down and connect with the benches to create bases for the beds. Photo by Sadamu Saito.
The sides of the table then fold down and connect with the benches to create bases for the beds. Photo by Sadamu Saito.
In the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco interior designer Nicole Hollis successfully renovates this 1940s home. The kitchen opens up to the dining room, where Hollis played with size and shape. She designed the solid French oak dining table and bench, which were fabricated by B Serota Furniture and Architectural Design, and flanked the table with a Host and Hostess chair from Coup d'Etat San Francisco. Photo by: Ben Mayorga Photography
In the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco interior designer Nicole Hollis successfully renovates this 1940s home. The kitchen opens up to the dining room, where Hollis played with size and shape. She designed the solid French oak dining table and bench, which were fabricated by B Serota Furniture and Architectural Design, and flanked the table with a Host and Hostess chair from Coup d'Etat San Francisco. Photo by: Ben Mayorga Photography
These wood-wrapped spaces take oriented strand board to new heights.
These wood-wrapped spaces take oriented strand board to new heights.
The courtyard acts like an outdoor living room, where the Arnolds’ daughter, Josie, plays freely, safe from nearby traffic. The family dines here most of the year at the custom-designed wood-and-steel table. The picnic table set reappropriates the century-old eucalyptus tree that once grew on the site.
The courtyard acts like an outdoor living room, where the Arnolds’ daughter, Josie, plays freely, safe from nearby traffic. The family dines here most of the year at the custom-designed wood-and-steel table. The picnic table set reappropriates the century-old eucalyptus tree that once grew on the site.