Backgammon

Looks very composed. Plays rather competitively.

PRINTWORKS Reverra Backgammon is rather good at keeping up appearances. Closed, its compact grey and petrol-green case looks like a considered design object; open it, and discussions about whose move was technically more intelligent tend to begin rather quickly. PRINTWORKS reworks the familiar backgammon game in faux leather, wood and acrylic, giving this edition a distinctly tactile, furniture-friendly character. The cream playing surface is lined with long points in petrol green and deep navy, complemented by round playing pieces in the same two colours and contrasting black dice. A finely textured grey faux-leather finish surrounds the board and continues across the exterior of the case. Integrated compartments provide dedicated space for pieces and dice, while two separate dice cups complete the set. When closed, a large petrol-green triangle and discreet gold-coloured PRINTWORKS lettering give the case its graphic identity. At 27.5 cm wide and 5 cm high, Reverra remains compact enough to live comfortably on a shelf, sideboard or coffee table. Which is useful, because a backgammon set this considered really has very little reason to disappear into the games cupboard.

A roll of the dice, followed by plenty of decisions

Part of backgammon's lasting appeal is the balance between chance and judgement. Two players move their pieces around the board according to the numbers rolled on the dice, working towards their home board before bearing every piece off ahead of their opponent. The roll gives you the possibilities; choosing how to use them is where the strategy begins. Protecting pieces, anticipating an opponent's next move and deciding when a risk is worth taking give each game its own rhythm. Reverra places those familiar rules within a calmer, more considered setting. Its restrained palette sits naturally among books and interior objects, while the structured case keeps the playing pieces and accessories together once the match is over. The result is a board game that does not need a formal games night to justify coming out. A table, two players and enough time for the inevitable rematch will generally do.

Offline turns out to be rather good company

PRINTWORKS was founded in Stockholm in 2017 by Annette and Patrik, inspired by a desire to bring something tangible back into an increasingly fast and digital everyday life. The idea is refreshingly simple: turn the pages of an actual photo album, shuffle cards, move pieces across a board and spend a little time looking at the same thing rather than separate feeds. PRINTWORKS gives these familiar analogue objects a contemporary visual identity so they can remain part of the home even when they are not being used. Reverra expresses the quieter, more tactile side of that philosophy. Faux leather, wood and acrylic, combined with its muted colour palette and compact case, give the backgammon set the presence of a deliberately chosen interior object rather than a conventional games box. It is an approach that sits comfortably with LIVOSY too: objects should have a purpose, bring pleasure to everyday life and feel at home in the spaces where real moments happen.

The game stays. The score probably won't.

Grey, cream, petrol green and deep navy make PRINTWORKS Reverra one of the more restrained interpretations of this enduring game. The closed case looks calm and graphic on a light sideboard, introduces a measured touch of colour among coffee table books and can remain conveniently close at hand between matches. Within the PRINTWORKS collection, pair Reverra with photo albums, chess, playing cards, memory games or The Essentials gift sets to create a small collection of analogue favourites designed to be seen as well as used. Compared with the brand's more overtly graphic backgammon editions, Reverra places greater emphasis on texture, material and a quieter palette. That also makes it a thoughtful gift for someone who already loves the game but has yet to own a backgammon set they would willingly leave on display. From there, only two players are required. The question of who deserves a rematch can wait until the dice have had their say.