OLYMPIA, Wash. -- In the world of design furniture, 36-year old Tor Clausen thinks he's hitting the right note.

The graduate from Evergreen State College is making coffee tables that instantly become drum tables with percussion inserts that can be switched out and moved around.

"The concept is have music that you don't have to put away," Clausen said. "Sometimes music is so delicate. If you have a violin, you wouldn't leave that out. But this -- it's wood."

Ever since he posted photographs and some video on the Internet of his fresh creation, design blogs have been drumming up the wooden tables.

He can't keep the new pieces in stock with orders coming in from all over, especially Europe, where the dollar is weak and buyers love what they see and hear.

"I think there are folks who enjoy the conversation sparking of it," said Clausen. "It's quirky and surprises people when they come to it."

Clausen has been making musical tables for more than ten years now. His collection includes a variety of different sounds, including those of the xylophone.

Using all sorts of woods from cherry to walnut, to mahogany, he's developed quite the ear for what each sounds like.

It takes about six weeks to finish one of the drum tables, which can cost up to $3,000. And since Musical Furnishings is a one-man operation, he's already backlogged with plenty of work.

As for the biggest problem for people who get their hands on one, "I think perhaps your other furniture will start to look a bit boring," Clausen said.