In Berlin, a city known for its rawness and relentless energy, the designers of the Ton side tables, Moritz Böttcher and Nikolaus Kayser work from a studio that offers a rare sense of calm.
Since 2021, they have been based in a bright, centrally located space overlooking a green square. An unexpected view that brings the rhythms of nature into the heart of the city. We visited them to better understand how they think and work.
The Studio
The studio is a short bike ride from their homes, and the atmosphere is informal but focused. “Being in the middle of the city and still looking out onto nature is a rarity here,” they say. Each day begins with fresh coffee and great music, two essentials that set the tone for their work. From there, ideas move freely between pen and paper, 3D modelling, and hands-on exploration in their workshop, where materials are always close by.
Kayser and Böttcher sit across from each other at a large table, in constant conversation. What defines their process is dialogue. Important decisions are always made as a team, shaped through discussion rather than hierarchy.
Inspiration
Living in Berlin means being surrounded by visual noise, textures, movements, and contrasts. “It's so damn hard to say where inspiration actually comes from, because there's definitely no preferred source. For us inspiration comes from everywhere and nowhere. We find inspiration in what we observe, question it, reconnect it, combine it and add a little pinch of intuition,” the designers explain.
Despite being a prolific studio, they are considerately and selective in their design process. The goal is not to create more, but to create better: durable objects with longevity, both materially and emotionally. Products meant to last for decades, even generations. A mindset often summed up by Dieter Rams’ principle, less, but better.
Creating the Ton tables
This philosophy aligned naturally with Northern. From the first conversations and design reviews, the collaboration was defined by openness and mutual respect through a shared focus on the product itself.
Ton is a family of side tables inspired by nature’s quiet strength. The starting point was smooth stones shaped over time by water, their forms softened by waves. This influence is embodied in the solid marble base — rounded, grounded, and visually calm. Above it, a thin tabletop in brushed recycled aluminium appears almost to float, supported by a slender decorative rod.
The contrast between weight and lightness defines Ton’s character. The base provides stability and presence; the top adds precision and elegance. Available in two sizes and heights, Ton is adaptable yet sculptural. A functional furniture that carries a sense of stillness.
Seen in the context of Kayser and Böttcher’s studio, Ton feels entirely at home. It reflects a way of working that values dialogue, material honesty, patience and quality.
Photo and video by Michael Mann
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