Design / Hidden virtues

Multi-purpose items often contain elements of novelty. When gazing at a modern piece of furniture, one wonders whether it is fulfilling only its traditional functions, or hiding a surprise. Is a chair only a chair, or does it also have storage space - like the chair designed by Casimir for Max le Belge in New York. This chair, with a simple geometric design, has a drawer in its seat.

A more complicated design is that of Sarit Cohen, a graduate of the product design school at Bezalel Academy of Arts and Design. She created a table that comes apart to form several components with different functions. A small table emerges from the large table, and a chair is hidden within the small table.

Sahar Batzri, also a graduate of Bezalel's school of product design, offers a kitchen chair with a towel rack integrated into its back.

Efrat Friedland, a graduate of the academic institute in Holon, has designed a two-seater couch that turns into a table for two. The couch/table has three components whose functions alter when they are set at different angles.

Designer Thomas Sandel created a series of tables for the Italian B&B company, represented in Israel by Habitat. The tables have thin aluminum frames; their top surfaces are made of Corian with elliptical or circular indentations in their centers that can be used as serving bowls.

Cattelan Italia, whose products are imported by Diran, offers a living room table, designed by Gruppo Grafite, with a metal frame and a glass surface that comes apart on hinges, revealing a box for storing dishes.

Couches that open and convert to beds are a common dual-purpose item. The Italian company Vbieffe, whose furniture is imported by Arba Nagarim, has designed a series of living room couches in a variety of styles that open up into double beds when needed. The couches convert to beds quickly and easily: You don't even have to take off the cushions.

	Chair with drawer by Casimir.

	Expanding table by Gruppo Grafite.