Booklover
Multifunctional Bedside Table for Alex Studio
Booklover is a bedside table designed for reading before sleep. The design draws from the open structure of traditional Korean furniture and is adapted to a contemporary context through the combined use of wood and metal. A brass hanger holds a book at the last read page, allowing continuous reading. Integrated lighting provides adjustable brightness and color temperature to support both reading and rest. The design is based on traditional reflections on balance and restrained use of space, which are naturally conveyed through use and reflected in everyday life.
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Booklover by Hyunchul Shim
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Multifunctional Bedside Table by Hyunchul Shim
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Hyunchul Shim Booklover
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Hyunchul Shim Multifunctional Bedside Table
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Hyunchul Shim Designer Portrait Photo
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Hyunchul Shim Interview
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Booklover Multifunctional Bedside Table Press Releases
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Unique Properties
Booklover is designed for those who enjoy reading before sleep, reinterpreting the open structure of traditional Korean furniture to suit their lifestyle and sensibilities. It maintains the simplicity of traditional construction while harmoniously combining wood and metal to achieve both aesthetic and functional balance. The brass hanger embodies practicality within its restrained form, and the smart lighting allows adjustment of brightness and color temperature, creating an ideal environment for both reading and relaxation.
Tags
bedside table, mood light, Korean furniture, multifunctional table
Production Technology
This table is entirely handcrafted. Its main structure is built using traditional joinery techniques with solid walnut, while brass is used for the bookend, book hanger, and drawer handles to create a subtle contrast and provide refined visual accents against the dark wood. The lighting element is designed with sustainability in mind, using a modular structure for easy maintenance. The lampshade is made of polycarbonate covered with linen, allowing the light to diffuse softly and warmly.
Design Challenge
By integrating lighting and a book hanger into an open structure, this design offers a warm, practical space for both reading and relaxation. A key challenge was maintaining the furniture overall proportions while accommodating a compact lighting area without compromising usability or sustainability. To solve this, an accessible G9 LED bulb was chosen, and a modular socket holder was custom designed to enable easy replacement within the limited space.
Project Duration
The project started with the design phase at Alex Studio in Korea in January 2023 and was completed in May 2023.
Operation Flow
The upper lighting unit connects to a smartphone via Wi-Fi, allowing users to freely adjust brightness and choose between cool white, neutral, and warm white color temperatures. A touch switch on the back enables intuitive power control even without a smartphone. Below the light, a book hanger serves both as a bookmark and a display for current reads. Underneath, shelves and a drawer are arranged to efficiently store books, reading accessories, and bedroom essentials.
Research
This design reinterprets the structural strengths of traditional Korean furniture into a form suited for book lovers. By reflecting on daily living patterns, it reimagines traditional elements to fit contemporary needs, making them more practical and accessible. Users can feel the poetic beauty of tradition and gain a sense of comfort in their space. The use of wood and metal in balance symbolizes the intention to connect past and present.
Inspiration
This design is inspired by the traditional Korean sabangtakja, an open-frame table with all sides exposed. While preserving its original form, the piece has been reinterpreted with a modern sensibility. The primary inspiration behind the design lies in a deep respect for Korean aesthetics rooted in the values of emptiness, balance, and line and in the desire to carry forward a contemplative way of life shaped by traditional lifestyle.
Image Credits
Image #1: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Perspective View, 2025. Image #2: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Side View Detail, 2025. Image #3: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Book Shelf Detail, 2025. Image #4: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Drawer Detail, 2025. Image #5: Photographer Jeon Jaekyung, Actual Usage Example Mood Light On, 2025.
Project Overview
Booklover Multifunctional Bedside Table has been a Bronze winner in the Furniture Design award category in the year 2025 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.
Bronze Recognition
Hyunchul Shim was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2026, a testament to excellence of their work Booklover Multifunctional Bedside Table.
Hyunchul Shim Press Releases
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Booklover Receives Bronze A’ Design Award for Reinterpreting Traditional Korean Furniture
Hyunchul Shim has received the Bronze A’ Design Award in the Furniture Design category for Booklover Multifunctional Bedside Table, a bedside table inspired by the open structure of traditional Korean furniture. The design integrates lighting, reading, and storage into a single restrained structure while exploring how traditional structure and atmosphere can continue naturally within contemporary daily life.
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