Simple yet sculptural, compact yet functional, TEE from avant-garde brand Nine ticks all the boxes of the Scandinavian side table that caresses perfection. From its history as told by its creator, designer Matteo Fogale, through its materials of choice to its many contemporary uses, Tee has become our Cup of Tea.
Elegant and functional, the TEE Scandinavian side table captivates with its clean lines and timeless design. Inspired by nature and well-being, it creates a warm, harmonious atmosphere. A must-have for refined, contemporary Nordic decor!
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Minimalist, in the purest Scandinavian tradition with a hint of Japanese style, Tee offers a visual lightness that makes it a practical and versatile ally, equally at home in the living room or bedroom, at the end of a sofa or at the bedside. Timeless.
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With its contemporary look, the Tee side table’s two materials – oak and cork – are chosen for their quality and to meet the demands of modern homes.
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Designed to be flat-packed, Tee side tables take up very little space when delivered. Testifying to Matteo Fogale’s commitment to sustainable product design, they snap together in seconds, thanks to a snap-together assembly system.
Matteo Fogale is a designer and creative director based in Copenhagen. Born in Uruguay, trained in Italy, he collaborated with prestigious studios such as Patricia Urquiola, BarberOsgerby and Nichetto and Partners before founding his own studio in 2017. Winner of a Wallpaper Design Award*, he has designed for &Tradition the Caret lamp, Carl Hansen & Søn, Airbnb or the V&A Museum. His work explores the balance between noble materials, durability and timeless functionality.
Today, he’s the guest in our interview about Nine’s Scandinavian Tee side table.
“Originally, the tables were self-produced and featured in several design projects for The Office Group. During a visit to one of their buildings, NINE noticed the tables and asked about their creator.
Seduced by their design, NINE’s management then contacted me to discuss production opportunities.”
“TheTee Scandinavian Side Table has a singular history. Originally, it was a one-off piece, hand-crafted in solid oak for a friend. One day, Oliver Stratford from Disegno magazine in London asked me if I’d be willing to donate one as a prize for a crossword competition in one of their issues. This prompted me to think about how I could optimize the manufacture of the table and make it flat-packed, so that it could be easily shipped to the winner. It was also an opportunity to explore small-scale production and to consider self-produced distribution.”
“I immediately thought of cork, a material that fascinated me for its durability and low environmental impact. The advantage of cork is that it can be machined using CNC machines, reducing labor costs compared to the wooden version. I adjusted the proportions so that the table’s four components could be cut from a single sheet of standard cork, thus reducing material waste.
What’s more, I’ve discovered an ingenious clip-on assembly system that allows the table to be assembled in seconds, without the need for tools.”
“Cork was chosen above all for its ecological qualities and lightness, two essential criteria for me, especially for a product destined for shipping. It’s a highly durable material, derived from the cork oak, a tree whose bark regenerates after each harvest, becoming even smoother over time. This harvest can be carried out every nine years, without damaging the tree.
Added to this are other exceptional properties: cork is composed of over 50% air, making it extremely light. Its elasticity and compressibility enable it to adapt to temperature variations without losing volume. Impervious to liquids, it is also hypoallergenic, antistatic and absorbs neither dust nor odors. What’s more, it offers excellent acoustic insulation, resists friction and acts as a flame retardant. Last but not least, its naturally pleasant feel makes it an ideal tabletop material.
Fully renewable, recyclable, reusable and biodegradable, cork supports local economies and promotes biodiversity, making it a particularly virtuous alternative for many applications.”
Like a creative invitation, Nine brings together the nuggets of the European design scene. Our ambition? To showcase emerging creativity through timeless collections.
From the design that guarantees long-lasting materials, to the low-impact manufacturing process, to the flat packaging, NINE products are conceived with an essentialist approach, which gives meaning to the object within an interior.
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