The Parsons table is home decor's equivalent of a little black dress. Classic, versatile and somehow just right for nearly every setting, the clean lines of this iconic piece of furniture have kept it in rotation since it was developed in the 1930s by Jean-Michel Frank as part of a class he taught at the Paris campus of the Parsons School of Art and Design.

Frank's challenge for his design students was to create a table that would retain its integrity no matter the finish. Originally called a T-square table because the square legs were the same thickness as the top, the design still lends itself to multiple interpretations and finishes.

What began with a simple table has turned into a complete collection for west elm. The original table is now joined by storage pieces, shelving, and mirrors that all embrace the clean lines of the original table.

In the spirit of Frank's original design challenge, which sought to combine minimalist design with warm, textured materials, the Parsons Collection's tables and mirrors come in a variety of new finishes. These include diamond grass cloth, natural grass cloth, mango wood with bone inlay, wrapped metal, silver paint and mirrored—along with the classic white lacquer and chocolate oak veneer.

Whether you're designing a formal dining room for a traditional home, a casual living room for a beach house, or a home office in an urban loft, there's sure to be something from west elm's Parsons Collection that's a perfect fit.