For over a year, I have been attracted to the idea of a piece of furniture called a “what-not”. It usually consists of slender uprights that supporting a series of shelves for holding curios, oddities, or so called “what-nots”. Like the drink table it fits into my growing “library” collection of small affordable pieces.
After reviewing dozens of images of antique what-nots, I iterated on a visual style I worked out on small drink table with a handle and cantilevered laptop table.
I engineered a simple base and created a forest of small table tops each capable of holding a single drink, small plant, notebook or small oddity. Then I worked out scale and size against a set of lounge chairs.
It is lightweight being not over-engineered. It does not depend much material, so it can be affordably sourced.
It also allows me to feature precise castle, bridle and mortise joints making it an affordable featured piece. Like my drink table it is unexpectedly sturdy by virtue of the joinery and can withstand kids or cats.
Look for the new what-not in the store during this 2025 holiday season. It would make a nice gift to a loved-one who wants to present their beloved collection of what-not’s.
Tim B Studio 