In the world between utility and art lies certain pieces of furniture that manage to straddle the line of beautiful, while still remaining useful. For years, the UK's Tom Dixon has relied on his self-made education in welding to create stunning pieces that have inspired collaborations with some of the world's top furniture makers and retailers. His Slab Rectangular Dining Table (pictured above) showcases clean, modern lines in crowned oak, giving off an air of solidity that is helped by deep ebony hue, while his Wingback Chair references 18th-century libraries (though it's doubtful that any seating found in that century would have been upholstered in mohair velvet). Visit www.tomdixon.net to find more inspiration, and distributors near you.