ESPASSO | Space for Thought: Kaeko Coffee Table

“I remodeled Dr. Kaeco’s office. Since then, the years have gone by and I still design some objects for her. Lamps, tatami mats and this table, in 1990. Dr. Kaeco is a tall woman, daughter of Japanese immigrants, with straight black hair. She is elegant, optimistic, determined. The graphic structures of these objects are perhaps a reflection of her sophisticatedly refined looks, as Chinese ink on rice paper.”

(Rafic Farah as quoted on R. Farah, “As I see it: The Design of Rafic Farah”, Cosac & Naify)

Named after and originally conceived for the designer’s doctor, the Kaeko coffee table (with a "K") by Rafic Farah exhibits a flowing grace. Like an oriental brushstroke, the table’s sinuous base forms a continuous structure in stainless steel or carbon steel with black electrostatic painting.

Besides designing furniture, the multitalented Farah has worked as an architect, scriptwriter, graphic designer and photographer. He graduated from Faculdade de Arquitetura e Urbanismo de São Paulo and has been a major force in the Brazilian design scene since the 1980's. Farah was responsible for designing several corporate logos and helped to create Trip magazine, one of Brazil’s most popular magazines geared towards a young crowd. Influenced by the Tropicalist movement from the 1960’s and 1970’s, his work has a very strong Brazilian aesthetic.

Space for Thought is the story behind a great piece or designer at ESPASSO, with the purpose of sharing Brazil's rich cultural heritage and the work of today's emerging talents. We hope you enjoy it.