Method of connecting or joining at least two panels in a piece of furniture and a piece of furniture made thereby. The vessel-engaging member includes a plurality of rows, with each row having a plurality of struts arranged in an alternating pattern such that for each row, a first set of vertices is positioned on a proximal side, and a second set of vertices is positioned on a distal side. The leaf is hingedly connected to the central portion by an integral thin section and has a locking member fitted inside the groove to hold the leaf at a fixed position with respect to the central portion. As the plate provides tilt motion to the mirror, the pattern in the diaphragm stabilizes the tilt motion of the mirror.