By Jess Chamberlain, Sunset home & design writer

Michael Jordan has his own line of shoes. Jennifer Lopez has her JLo branded jumpsuits. And thanks to San Diego-based furniture maker Miki Iwasaki, I hold my head a little higher knowing there exists something called the "Jess table."

I wrote a piece on Iwasaki a year ago, in our September 2006 issue, just as he launched his design studio. For the photo shoot I told him we wanted to shoot a table of his with a top edge that cantilevered over one side, but it turned out that piece had already been sold. Because all his works are one of a kind, Iwasaki created a similar table for the shoot, and during the interview when I asked him the piece's name he said: "I was thinking maybe I'd call it 'Jess'...I name my pieces by who they are inspired by or who they are reminiscent of..."

I felt the tinniest bit like a celebrity. And still do. Check it out:

Jess Table:
Solid domestic walnut hardwood table top and supports. Natural knots filled
with pigmented eco-resin inlay and hand rubbed oil finish. 49.5 x 16.5 x 16.5

This week I was thrilled to hear Miki's works are on display at DWR in San Diego. The exhibit closes Sunday, so if you're in the neighborhood, get there quick. Otherwise, check out his works here. 

EXHIBIT DETAILS:
Local Forms that Function II
September 13-23
DWR San Diego Studio
393 7th Ave
San Diego, CA 92101

INFO: DWR is excited to showcase the work of three local modern furniture designers during our second annual Local Forms that Function Show. Design firm Bells & Whistles makes furniture from the inside out, combining theatrical fantasy with utilitarian practicality. Miki Iwasaki of mi-workshop builds each piece by hand, using environmentally conscious methods and materials. Spacecraft is a gallery and studio collective that designs and builds pieces from concept through construction.

A few other of mi favorites:

Clockwise: Phil Ladder Clothes and Linen storage ladder made from bamboo plywood supports with domestic walnut hardwood rungs and white oak inlays. Hand rubbed ultra low VOC water-base finish. 18 x 2 x 72.  Ray Shelf Solid domestic black walnut hardwood frame, shelf and dowels. Pigmented resin inlay and hand rubbed finish. 9 x 32 x 4.5.  Spare Time Clocks Various remnants and reclaimed woods. Hand rubbed with low VOC finish. Quartz movements.  Pencil Holder Reclaimed and remnant domestic hardwoods with remnant acrylic sheets. Hand rubbed low VOC poly oil finish. 5.75 x 4.5 x 3.5.