These ping pong tables take a turn toward the unexpected. Instead of being mass-manufactured from plastic, they are handmade of natural materials such as wood and steel. Instead of preppy in style, they are rustic. Instead of bright in color, they are neutral. The resulting designs make for a durable, sustainable, and versatile addition to one’s home, office, or other gathering place.
The recreational furniture is designed by Polite Table Tennis Co., a pretentiously named but noteworthy young brand based in California. The company offers two pre-fashioned models as well as custom options, all available for order online, price upon request. Both Model 1 and 2 come with two rackets made of walnut wood and cork, six premium balls, a box for storing the small parts, and a club membership for exclusive tournaments in the USA.
A personalizable choice, Model 1 comes with a four-panel tabletop made of carbon fiber, aluminum or eco-friendly bamboo composite and decorated on the underside with a chalkboard or photo-finish. The lightweight design can be folded up when not in use and displayed like any other home decor. Nevertheless, the table is quite durable with a frame of aged wood and raw steel. The textured net is crafted from leather and canvas and stands up with the support of steel posts. There are just 100 units of this limited-edition design.
The more austere of the pair, Model 2 is handmade from solid wood. The top is Baltic birch, the accents 100-year-old oak, and the supports antique and reclaimed fir and poplar. Even the “net” is a plank of timber.
Both designs pick up on the trend of making ping pong high-end, whether by doubling up on function, as demonstrated by these dining table and desk interpretations.
