Darcy Resch Design

White Ash

October, 2023

Ashtray tables were once ubiquitous in homes and public spaces until the late 20th century, when research revealed the serious health risks associated with tobacco smoking, particularly its link to cancer. This led to a decline in their popularity and in an extremely short amount of time, their eradication. Showing science’s profound effects on culture, design, and furniture. However, recent cultural shifts surrounding the legalization of marijuana have sparked a resurgence of ashtray tables, now embraced in contemporary design and pop culture, particularly influenced by figures like Seth Rogan and his company, Houseplant. This piece, constructed using stack lamination and inspired by Wendell Castle, embodies the concept of furniture as sculpture, characterized by its organic volume and form.