Nature, with its bounty of extraordinary shapes and patterns, has long been a source of inspiration for designers. You too can bring the beauty of nature home with our selection of furniture and lighting shaped like some of nature's greatest creations.
Trees
Considering the abundance of furniture that is made of wood, it is not surprising that so many designers pay homage to the shape of trees. The Colossus Console from Agrippa resembles a majestic tree rooted to the ground, whilst the Eden Coffee Table from Boca do Lobo immortalises tree trunks in brass, as if they were relics from an ancient forest. The Forest Collection from Scarlet Splendour also takes its inspiration from forests, but with a much more whimsical approach. We particularly like the Forest Chair, its cartoonish seat seemingly carved out of an old fungus-infested tree trunk. For an a more stylised interpretation look no further than the Lightbone Floor Light from Oblure, its segmented structure inspired by bamboo forests in Japan.
1. Colossus Console by Agrippa | 2. Eden Coffee Table by Boca Do Lobo | 3. Forest Collection by Scarlet Splendour | 4. Lightbone Floor Light by Oblure
Rocks
Rocks can take many shapes, from craggy outcrops on mountain cliffs to pebbles worn smooth by the force of water. The Pebble Rubble Sofa from Moroso is inspired by the latter, with the designs of its boulder-shaped seats and armrests created from 3D scans of rocks collected from Swedish forests. The Vesper Occasional Table from Sancal also takes the smooth rounded form of the pebble and turns it into a sleek and sculptural table base. The Temple Coffee Table from 101 Copenhagen, on the other hand, showcases the rugged and monumental qualities of rock with the simple design of two limestone blocks, one rough and one polished, stacked in a staggered arrangement. The Craterlet Vase from Atelier Polyhedre similarly celebrates the irregular nature of rocks, more specifically the meteorites that crash into earth, their rough surfaces beautifully reimagined in clay.
1. Pebble Rubble Sofa by Moroso | 2. Vesper Occasional Table by Sancal | 3. Temple Coffe Table by 101 Copenhagen | 4. Craterlet Vase by Atelier Polyhedre
Animals
Who could resist furniture and lights in the form of animals? We certainly can't, not because we are eight years old but because they bring so much joy to the home. Like beasts of burden, they can also be very useful. The Monkey Side Table from BD and the Rara Avis Side Tables from Nomon, for instance, both stand faithfully by the side of the sofa bearing your mobile phones and cups of coffee. The Ti Vedo ("I see you" in Italian) Wall Light from Karman, in the meantime, surveys the scene diligently, as you would expect from a googly-eyed owl. For a more cuddly encounter we have the Yeti Sofa from Missana. There is a debate as to whether the mythical beast is as shaggy as this sofa, but I think we will sit this one out.
1. Monkey Side Table by BD | 2. Rara Avis Side Tables by Nomon | 3. Ti Vedo Light by Karman | 4. Yeti Sofa by Missana
Flowers
A lovely way to celebrate the ephemeral beauty of flowers is to immortalise them in the form of furniture and lights. Just like flowers they come in a huge variety of shapes and colours, from the wildly exotic Marjorelle Fresia Table Lamp from Dooq to the elegantly sleek Bloom Coffee Table from Milla&Milli. The Dandelion Suspension Light from LZF is a joyous puffball just like its namesake flower, whilst the Garden of Eden Rug from Golran evokes the image of a beautiful meadow strewn with rose petals. A vision of Eden indeed.
Clouds
Clouds are a surprisingly popular source of inspiration for designers, perhaps because soft fluffy clouds look so comfortable and welcoming. A great example is the Cloudscape Sofa from Diesel Living, a cosy cocoon of billowing cushions that invites you to sink in and relax. Cloud-shaped designs can be found in many materials, from steel such as the Fil de Fer Nuvola Suspension Light from Catellani & Smith to wood in the case of the Cloud Suspension Light from David Trubridge. Or what about the Concrete Cloud from Lyon Beton - a shelf in the shape of a cloud, made of hard concrete, designed to support stacks of fluffy soft toilet rolls. Conclusive proof that irony is not dead, it just decided to turn nebulous.
