Core77_ Simple and sturdy, this U2 series of steel tables is by Amsterdam-based furniture and product designer Peter van der Water.

They can be placed horizontally to serve as coffee tables, or oriented vertically for use as endtables. In the vertical orientation they can also be slid over to a seat to serve as a temporary laptop desk.

They're made from powder-coated steel. It's tough to see this in the photos, but the outside surfaces have a matte finish, whereas the inside surfaces are glossy (so as not to damage those precious art books).

The U2 tables are in production by Dutch furniture manufacturer Cascando.