
E1027 Adjustable Table: A Timeless Classic Among Classics
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Its ingenious proportions and unique form have made this height-adjustable table one of the most iconic design symbols of the 20th century.
I. Introduction
Eileen Gray, the designer of the Adjustable table, played a key role in 20th-century furniture and architecture. Her work is now seen as an important link between Art Deco and Modernism.
Eileen Gray
Her work emphasizes functionality and flexibility, always prioritizing user needs over pure form. In contrast to Le Corbusier's machine philosophy, she viewed furniture as an integral part of the overall environment. In the seaside villa E1027 she designed, she created numerous multi-functional pieces, including transformable chairs and storage cabinets concealed within walls. This villa was co-designed with her then-lover, Romanian architect Jean Badovici, with "E1027" encoding their names.
The Meaning of E1027
Every piece of furniture in E1027 was designed with the person using it in mind, showing her thoughtful approach to how we live.
The Seaside Villa E1027
And the most well-known item from E1027 is definitely the Adjustable Table E1027. Its adjustable height makes it easy to sit and read or eat in bed comfortably. Eileen Gray initially designed this height-adjustable table for her sister, who enjoyed breakfast in bed but disliked crumbs on the sheets.
The E1027 Table of the Last Century
Later, to prevent corrosion from sea air, Eileen Gray specifically developed a version with a matte black powder coating.
The E1027 Table with two different coatings
The E1027 glass table is a crystallization of Eileen Gray's genius. Born from familial warmth, it found its home in an avant-garde villa and eventually entered households worldwide. It answers the question of how to make life better and freer through the most refined design language.
II. Components
The look of the E1027 adjustable table really captures the Modernist idea that how something looks should be driven by how it’s used. But Gray extended this, placing greater emphasis on the user's emotional needs. Let's deconstruct its every component:
1.The Ingenious Adjustment Mechanism
At the center of the E1027's stand is a clever articulated joint. By simply loosening a knob, the user can freely raise or lower the glass top along an inclined arc and secure it in place. This functionality allows it to adapt flexibly to various seating and reclining heights, be it beside a sofa, bed, or lounge chair.
2.The Glass Tabletop
The tempered glass eliminates the visual weight and congestion associated with traditional wooden coffee tables, revealing the space beneath and making the living environment feel more open and transparent. This fits perfectly with the E1027 house’s idea of blending inside and outside spaces smoothly.The circular top has no sharp corners, ensuring safe and smooth movement around it.
3.The Frame
The table’s base has a nice curved "C" shape, giving plenty of space for your feet.. Whether you're sitting on a sofa or at the bedside, your legs can stretch out comfortably. The chrome-plated surface finish not only offers durability but also provides a mirror-like gloss that reflects the surroundings, enhancing the sense of lightness and modernity. This metal frame creates a subtle visual balance through material contrast with the glass top.You can visit here to get your own E1027 adjustable table.
III. Application Scenarios
The uses of the E1027 extend far beyond the traditional living room. It is a truly "human-centric" piece of furniture, capable of adapting flexibly to various scenarios from public areas to private corners, perfectly blending function and aesthetics.
1.Living Room
The E1027 pairs excellently with sofas and armchairs. For small living rooms, the transparent glass top and slender metal stand are virtually visually "invisible," eliminating the bulkiness of traditional coffee tables and making the space feel more open, airy, and uncluttered. Whether paired with a classic leather sofa to create a Mid-Century Modern look or with a fabric sofa for a contemporary minimalist style, the E1027 table integrates beautifully.
2.Bedroom
The E1027 table is the perfect replacement for a bedside table. It can securely hold a breakfast tray, laptop, or a book. Adjusted to the perfect height, it makes working, reading, or enjoying breakfast in bed exceptionally convenient. Add a cozy touch to the bedroom by putting a chaise lounge or armchair near the window or in a corner. The E1027 table fits nicely next to it, making a great place for books and teacups.
3.Bathroom
The E1027's glass top and slender metal legs minimize visual obstruction, making the bathroom feel more spacious and light. It works well as a small table next to the vanity for perfumes, jewelry, or a clean towel. It also makes a nice bath tray by the tub, holding a glass of wine, a book, and your bath basics.Its stainless steel frame can also withstand the humid bathroom environment well.
4.Balcony
The glass top of the E1027 looks great, catching and letting sunlight pass through. And the metal stand adds interesting light and shadow patterns as the light shifts, making the balcony feel lively and full of character. Typically a place for enjoying sun and views, the table's transparent nature doesn't block sightlines, seeming to blend into the environment. Whether for a morning breakfast or an evening relaxing outdoors, it becomes an integral part of home life.

5.Entryway
The E1027's slender chrome-plated stand and transparent glass top minimize visual obstruction, making the entryway feel light and open. Paired with a statement pendant light, soft wall sconces, and a large mirror, the E1027 table can create a design-forward, bright, and transparent entrance. The tabletop is also ideal for placing keys, wallets, and other items you need to drop upon entering.
IV. Style Compatibility
1.Contemporary
Contemporary minimalist style uses clean lines and low-saturation color palettes to create fresh, textured spaces. The E1027's fluid lines and transparent quality can further enhance the minimalist texture of such a space. This style often features flexible space use, and E1027 is a great example. It can easily shift from being a coffee table to a dining table, a desk, or a work surface, showing how blurred the functions can be.
2.Industrial
Industrial style prefers clean lines, raw materials, neutral tones, and functional furniture, making it a perfect match for the E1027 table. Placing the table against exposed brick walls or concrete surfaces creates a strong material contrast between its refined chrome/glass and the rough industrial environment. This collision of materials is highly sophisticated. The side table simultaneously injects a touch of refinement and elegance into the industrial space, preventing it from feeling too cold or harsh.
3.Scandinavian
Scandinavian style uses white as a base, incorporating elements like wood, linen, and wool. The E1027's geometric form highly coordinates with the minimalist aesthetics of Nordic furniture. Meanwhile, its metal material, paired with warm wooden floors and soft wool rugs, creates rich layers and tactile contrast, achieving a wonderful balance.
4.Coastal Style
Inspired by seaside cottages, this style is popular for its bright, relaxed atmosphere and abundant use of natural elements. The color scheme typically includes whites and blues, reflecting the colors and light of the ocean while enhancing the brightness and openness of the space. Adding the E1027 makes the space feel brighter. The glass and metal elements also add a nice touch, giving the whole area more texture and interest.
5.Eclecticism
In a space blending furniture from different eras and cultures, the E1027 can balance an ornate chandelier, a simple chair, or a piece of Scandinavian-inspired wooden furniture. Its clean lines can stabilize the overall look, making the mix appear well-organized and layered.
6.Boho
Boho interiors often use neutral tones, featuring items like hanging chairs, vintage furniture, large floor rugs, wall hangings, and statement lighting, complemented by green plants. The E1027's lightness can balance the heaviness brought by intricately patterned rugs and large sofas, while its elegant lines add more vitality and fluidity to the space.
7.Luxe
Luxe style often boldly uses patterns and colors. Large decorative objects, elegant architectural lighting, and patterned textiles are prominent features. The E1027, paired with uniquely patterned rugs, decoratively rich walls, and boldly colored furniture, can effectively balance the space's colors and enhance its overall texture and aesthetic appeal.
V. Summary of Styling Tips
The key to successful styling, regardless of the chosen aesthetic, lies in mastering a few core principles.
1.Material Selection
Choose materials that match the metal in the table's chrome frame, like lamp bases, picture frames, or door handles, so everything looks consistent in color and texture. For instance, pair it with a USM cabinet with a metallic sheen or a silver-toned sofa. PureBau offers various specifications of USM cabinets for your selection.
Simultaneously, feel free to boldly mix it with other materials like linen, marble, or canvas. The E1027 table can create unexpected chemical reactions with different textures.
2.Line Coordination
Pair the E1027 table with furniture featuring similarly fluid, clean, and sleek lines, such as the LC4 chaise lounge, LC3 sofa, Barcelona chair, or Wassily chair. You can click the links above to visit our website for selection. If opting for a more artistic mix, ensure the lines of the accompanying furniture maintain harmony.
Opting for furniture with rounded lines is also an excellent pairing solution.
3.Color Selection
Keep the E1027’s original colors whenever possible.Inject color through soft furnishings like sofas, rugs, and artwork. The table's own metallic luster can enhance the texture of the surrounding colors.
Nearly a century later, the E1027 table remains a beloved object for design enthusiasts, collectors, and ordinary households worldwide. In the E1027 table, we witness the perfect unity of function and beauty—the ultimate secret to its enduring appeal over a hundred years.