B&B Oskar Table Review - Furniture Favourites

In the world of design, certain names carry a weight, an almost mythical aura. B&B Italia is one of those names. Synonymous with Italian sophistication, architectural rigor, and a relentless pursuit of quality, this is a brand that furnishes the pages of elite design magazines and the homes of those who understand that furniture is not just functional, but art. 

Their pieces are investments, heirlooms in the making, often seen as untouchable for those of us not blessed with an interior decorator's budget.

And then there’s the Oskar table. A design that pays homage to another giant: the legendary Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, a master of sweeping, sensual modernist curves. Designed by Vincent Van Duysen for B&B Italia, the Oskar table is a study in balance, materiality, and quiet drama.

Now, imagine my disbelief when I found this very piece of design history not in a glossy showroom, but on Carousell, listed for the grand price of… absolutely nothing.

Yes, you read that correctly. I thrifted a B&B Italia Oskar table for free.

Let’s dive into why this table is a design masterpiece, and how the universe of secondhand treasures can sometimes offer up miracles.

An Ode to B&B Italia: The Brand Behind the Masterpiece

You gotta understand the pedestal upon which B&B Italia stands. Founded in 1966, the company didn't just make furniture; it helped define the aesthetic of modern living. Pioneers in using new technologies and materials, particularly polyurethane foam and cold-molded foam for seating, they collaborated with the world’s most visionary designers—Piero Ambrogio Busnelli, Antonio Citterio, Patricia Urquiola, and of course, Vincent Van Duysen.

Owning a piece from B&B Italia is like owning a slice of history. It’s a statement of belief in clean lines, impeccable proportions, and a deep, almost tactile, relationship with materials. Their furniture is never loud; it’s confident. It doesn’t shout for attention; it commands it simply by being perfectly resolved.

The Oskar Table by Vincent Van Duysen

Vincent Van Duysen, the Belgian architect known for his minimalist and profoundly sensory designs, was a perfect match for B&B Italia. His Oskar table is a love letter to Niemeyer’s architectural principles, translating fluid concrete forms into a piece of domestic elegance.

The table’s magic lies in its harmonious contradiction. The product information describes it as "complex" yet "clear," and this is the most accurate summary. At first glance, it appears simple-a top, four legs. But look closer, and you see the details:

• The Play of Volumes: The table isn't just a slab on sticks. The legs are substantial, smoothed columns that taper subtly. They have a presence and a weight that grounds the entire piece.
• The Sensual Curves: Niemeyer’s influence is most palpable in the "rounded tops" and "tapered edges." There isn’t a sharp corner in sight. Every intersection is softened with a gentle curve, inviting the hand to glide over its surface. This creates a dynamic play of light and shadow, making the static table feel alive and organic.
• The Material Dialogue: This is where the Oskar truly sings. It’s a table designed to be customized, to be a chameleon. It comes in various oak finishes and bold, glossy lacquers. But the version I fell for—and the one I found—is arguably the most dramatic.

The Star of the Show: The Emerald and Cathedral Glass Combination

The Oskar table, in its most striking configuration, features a top made of "cathedral glass with an irregular surface and a light green hue" paired with legs in "glossy emerald green."

Let’s break down why this combination is great:

• The Cathedral Glass Top: This isn't your standard, flat, perfectly clear glass. Cathedral glass has a texture, a slight waviness and imperfection that catches light differently from every angle. The light green tint adds a layer of depth and vintage charm, reminiscent of old apothecary bottles or the windows of a historical building. It’s translucent without being transparent, softening everything viewed through it and adding a dreamlike quality to the space.
• The Glossy Emerald Legs: The glossy lacquer is pure, deep, and reflective. It’s a bold, confident color that doesn’t feel garish because of its sophistication. The emerald green provides a stunning, jewel-like base for the ethereal glass top, creating a perfect equilibrium between heaviness and lightness, opacity and translucency.

Sitting at this table feels like participating in a performance of light and color. It’s a conversation piece that doesn’t need to try hard.

The Thrill of the Hunt: My "Free Ninety-Nine" Miracle

This brings me to my story. Scrolling through Carousell, a platform I frequent for hidden gems, I saw a listing for a "green leg glass table." The photos were dim, but my designer-nerd heart skipped a beat. The curves, the proportions, the distinctive legs—it was unmistakably the Oskar.

The seller was moving out the next day and simply needed it gone.

When I arrived to pick it up, the reality of the situation set in. Here was this breathtaking piece of design, a testament to Van Duysen’s genius and B&B Italia’s craftsmanship, being given away. Of course, it wasn't in showroom condition. The move had been rough, and the glossy emerald legs had several chips and scratches, revealing the white wood beneath.

But here’s the thing about thrifting designer furniture: you embrace the patina. This table had lived a life before me. It had hosted dinners, witnessed conversations, and bore the minor scars of being a loved, functional object. 

That, to me, is more beautiful than a brand new piece.