Furniture should be made to look sturdy and dependable, but furniture designed to specifically look unstable? That’s the blurry line between art and furniture. Designed by Alain Gilles for French brand Glass Variations, the Illusion Collection takes the concept of stability and turns it on its head. Each piece, whether a table, desk, or console, gives off the impression that it’s moments away from toppling over, yet it’s sturdier than it looks, thanks to the clever glasswork.
Defined by clean, geometric lines – rectangles, circles, half-rounds, and quarter-rounds – the Illusion Collection taps into the timeless aesthetic of Bauhaus design, but with a playful twist that makes the collection a masterclass example of optical illusions. Every piece features a layer that is textured or colored and draws your attention. Meanwhile, a second layer of clear glass quietly does the work of supporting the entire furniture while appearing virtually non-existent. That means that the furniture isn’t actually balancing on the tip of an arch but on the flat, sturdy surface of the clear glass.
The visual play doesn’t stop at structure. The transparency of the glass creates a dynamic interplay between lines, colors, and textures, crossing and blending to form unexpected graphic effects. The gray or bronze-tinted glass creates a moody, sophisticated look while the pastel and opaline tones create a lighter, more ethereal feel.
Whether you’re drawn to the frosted glass with its milky, soft texture or the clear glass imbued with color, each piece in the Illusion Collection offers something different. These statement pieces add a sense of intrigue to any space, making you question how they’re even standing in the first place. And while the collection may toy with our perception of balance, there’s no doubt that it’s the craftsmanship that really brings these designs to life.
Alain Gilles \\\ Photo: Lydie Nesvadba
To learn more about the Illusions Collection by Alain Gilles, visit glassvariations.com. For more on Alain Gilles, head to alaingilles.com.
Photos by Mathilde Hiley and Studio B Helle.
