Occasional Table

[rowyn]

I've seen the phrase "occasional table" twice today, and it was obvious what it meant from context -- an end table or a side table. But I don't remember seeing the phrase before. And my first thought on looking at it is "an object which is occasionally a table", and therefore sometimes something else. Like right now it's a table, but sometimes it's an ottoman, or a chessboard, or a chair, or perhaps a duvet. Transformer furniture!

I know that's not what it means, but in a better world, perhaps it would be.

Comments

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

I've got an occasional chair myself. It transforms into a stepladder for use in reaching higher books.

[rowyn]

Whee! \o/

One of my friends once linked me to a design studio page full of very expensive transformer furniture, for use in small apartments. Murphy beds and suchlike.

[tuftears.livejournal.com]

Oh yeah, I saw those kinds of beds when I was browsing around for beds with storage. It looked interesting but I would hate to have to unpack a bunch of books every time I wanted to let a guest use the bed.

[rowyn]

The designs I remember (bear in mind these were super-expensive) were *really* well engineered, to the point that you could transform a desk space into a bed without having to clear the desk off first. Exceedingly cool. I may have to Google about and see if I can find it again.

[duane-kc.livejournal.com]

Here you go: http://resourcefurniture.com/

[sythyry.livejournal.com]

I think it ought to be an insult.

[rowyn]

"She's not fit to be queen! She's not even fit to be an occasional table!"

[terrycloth.livejournal.com]

This is the first time I've seen that term. And yeah, I'd expect it to be something like a couch that you occasionally store things on.

Not *my* couch, which I usually store things on, though.