Qui
side table

A thin sheet of plywood bent under tension—that is the starting point for the Qui side table. What appears light and simple at first glance turns out to be a careful interplay of strength and flexibility.

The design derives its strength by the by use of the material's properties.

The curve of the table is created by natural flexibility of the plywood. The resulting arch naturally forms an open space: perfect for magazines or other items you like to keep within easy reach.

For the legs, the plywood is oriented in the opposite, non-bendable direction and set at an angle, creating additional tension and thus greater strength in the vertical plane.

The tabletop brings all the parts together, holds the structure in place, and provides a convenient surface for your cup of coffee, a book, or a bowl of fruit.

Thanks to its lightweight design, you can move the table around with ease. Slide it next to the sofa, place it in a reading nook, or use it as a side table when you have guests.

Looking for larger quantities or to use this product in a project? Ask for a free quotation here. On our download page, you can find 3d models, high-res images, and other product information.

Color options

the Vij5
steps
from the
Qui side table

Transparency of the production chain comes naturally to us.

For us, that doesn't just mean giving information about where something has been produced. Our chain starts much earlier: with the designer of the product!

We'll tell you the whole story. Click on the buttons to discover the different steps:

The Qui side table was designed by Th. van der Voorn. Marc has been working as an independent product and furniture designer since 2001. From his studio in Everdingen, he creates Design are layered and meticulously constructed, yet appear natural and understated.

Marc is often asked what the “Th.” in his name stands for and why he uses it so prominently. Those letters refer to his middle name, Theodoor, after his grandfather. He admired him as a person and was greatly inspired by as a young designer. His grandfather quietly taught him a number of values that are still important to him today: patience, diligence, and attention to detail. The ‘Th.’ in his name reminds him of that every day.

Experimentation and research serve as key starting points in Marc’s design processes. The Qui side table is a good example of this. The design emerged from his fascination with 3-millimeter-thick plywood.

by experimenting with by , he learned about the qualities and properties of this material. The way it is glued makes the sheet flexible in one direction and rigid in the other. by bending by plywood under tension, Marc discovered how far he could go—and what was needed to fix and stabilize the shape.

What began as an experiment evolved into a table in which construction and form are one and the same. The curve is not merely decorative, but the logical result of material research.

The name of the little table came about quite intuitively. Marc mainly chose a sound and combination of letters that he liked. In several languages, “qui” also happens to mean words like “here,” “that,” or “who.” But in the end, it was mainly the sound of the word, combined with the letter Q, that clinched it for him.

“Something that arises by or out of fascination only truly becomes a product by . If something isn’t possible, what is? Patience is a key factor.”

Marc Th. van der Voorn

Marc Th. van der Voorn

Tip:Take a look inside Marc’s studio and learn more about his design philosophy in our Designer Interview on theblog page

The Qui side table has been part of the Vij5 since 2025. We first met Marc years ago. We would run into each other regularly at trade shows and events, and had often mentioned that it would be great to collaborate. But you can’t force something like that—the right design still had to come along.

During the design process for Qui, Marc felt that this might just be the design for our collection. When he showed it to us, we immediately knew it was the right fit. The natural flow of the form, the clever use of materials, and the layered nature of the concept aligned perfectly with how we view products.

“Qui has a certain charm. It looks effortless, but there’s a strong, well-thought-out concept behind it.”

Arjan & Anieke, Vij5

What appeals to us is that the material research remains visible in the final result. It is a design that explores the limits of a material while effortlessly blending craftsmanship and reproducibility.

The tension in the plywood, the way form and function come together, and the subtle color palette all complement each other without the design screaming for attention. It’s a table with a story, but it’s also simply a pleasure to use. A nice touch is that Qui isn’t just a side table, but also a subtle storage solution.

We also value working with Designers have a holistic view of the project. Marc brings not only ideas, but also experience, precision, and dedication. He knows what he wants and contributes his insights on both the big picture and the details. This makes the process both substantive and personal.

So the fact that Qui is now part of the Vij5 feels like a logical step—one we’ve been looking forward to for a while.

Although the design was already well advanced, a new phase began after our initial discussions. Together, we examined proportions, details, and color. Reproducibility also played an important role. An experiment in the studio is one thing, but how do you translate that into a product that can be made locally with consistency and care? Marc investigated how the parts could best be milled and how the fit within the tabletop could remain optimal—without compromising the original idea.

We quickly settled on a production setup that works well for us. The individual parts are milled at a therapeutic farm in Rhenoy. We then handle the assembly and finishing in our own workshop. This allows us to maintain control over the final steps, leaves room for customization, and enables us to closely monitor quality.

For us, it’s a real privilege to work with a designer like Marc. by years of experience in product development, he thinks not only in terms of form but also in terms of manufacturability. He introduced us to his network, made connections, and provided a well-thought-out foundation: milled parts, molds, and a detailed manual that allows us to assemble and finish the product.

“Getting to know my clients is a key part of the design process. Share knowledge Share exchanging ideas is an integral part of that. Only by working together can we create a product that’s truly special.”

Marc Th. van der Voorn

You can see that collaboration reflected in Qui. An idea that started as an experiment and was gradually developed into a viable product.

Adding color turned out to be the perfect finishing touch. The unfinished prototype already had a strong presence, but the color gives the little table just a bit more character. Finishing linseed oil with the colored linseed oil using linseed oil some time now turned out to be a logical step. The oil soaks into the wood, protects the surface, and at the same time leaves the wood grain visible. It is precisely that transparent quality that enhances the layered look of the plywood.

The Qui side table is made of birch plywood and features a well-thought-out design that combines grain direction, tension, and fastening.
The manufacturing process requires precision. The grain direction of the wood layers, the exact thickness of the material, and the way the components are fastened all influence the final result. Together, they determine the table’s final shape and stability.

We use a workshop at a therapeutic farm in Rhenoy to mill the various components. The components are then assembled by in Den Bosch. Before shaping and assembling, we finish the wood by hand with colored linseed oil. This finish protects the surface and beautifully highlights the wood grain, giving it a matte and soft appearance. In the two-tone version, the design takes on a playful accent.

The Qui side table is available in a standard color combination. For an additional fee, you can also choose your own color combination. Please feel free to contact us for more information.

In the material passport you can find where and by whom the different parts of this product are made.

Want to see this product in real life?

Come visit our showroom in Den Bosch or stop by one of our ambassadors or other retail locations. Be sure to check in advance to see if they actually have this item in stock, as not all locations carry the entire collection.

In need of larger numbers or application in a project?

Please contact Arjan and request a quotation here.

Vij5 webshop

All Vij5 products can of course also be ordered directly from our own webshop:

Vij5
Showroom

We work from an easily accessible industrial hall (2 minutes from the A2) near the residential boulevard of Den Bosch. Most products can be seen here, but at the moment the showroom is in use for another large project. So please get in touch and especially let us know what you'd like to see, and we'll see what's possible!

You can make an appointment by mail or phone.

Ambassadors

A Vij5 Ambassador is, just like us, a big fan of the Vij5 collection. It is not just a point of sale, but a shop that knows just a little bit more about our products. There is always someone present as a point of contact who can tell you everything about the Vij5 collection!

Vij5 Ambassadors are specialists in e.g. our lighting, furniture and/or accessories and will gladly provide you with advice. There is a nice selection of products from our collection in the shop. When an item is not in stock in the store an Ambassador can always order it for you.