Benchmark of precision

It stands on its own as sleek, minimalist sculpture, but, more important, Divide provides a keen seat too. Designer Mark Goetz, who has created pieces for Crate & Barrel, Marimekko and Herman Miller, conceived of a single sheet of powder-coated steel, laser cut to resemble a split log in abstract. “We put it through rigorous tests,” says Jon Dennis of the Sacramento-based design firm Blankblank, which collaborated with Goetz on Divide. The 5-foot-long piece ($2,150) comes in gloss black, white and red/orange; custom colors also are available, as are security locks that bolt the bench to the ground -- thwarting thieves whose taste is better than their morals. (916) 446-1502, www.blankblank.net.

-- Janet Eastman