Nature is an endless source of inspiration for
design . By observing the world carefully, designers find references in curves, colors and textures, which become beautiful products in various sectors. In
decoration ,
animals often inspire the creation of
furniture , either explicitly or in a more abstract way, as we present in the selection below. Discover how designers from around the world, including in Brazil, transform these ideas into reality.
1. Feline elegance
Created by Dutch designer
Rik van Veen , the
Leopard bench is made from recycled
plastic pipes that are melted and carved to create a texture similar to
leopard skin. The piece is the latest in a series of experimental furniture pieces that the designer began producing about a decade ago, using mainly leftover gas or water pipes collected from construction sites. To join the pieces, the designer uses a hot plate, heating the two ends until the plastic softens. They are then pressed together to form a strong joint once the material hardens.
2. Light as a bird
British designer Tom Dixon has designed the Bird Chaise , a chaise longue with minimalist lines that resembles a bird , as its name suggests. Created in the 1990s, the piece features a bold sculptural shape and was designed to be used as a focal point in residential living rooms and commercial spaces, such as lobbies and hallways . Soft curves and a precise silhouette mark the balanced design, which promotes a gentle rocking sensation when sitting. 3. From the bottom of the sea
Designed in 2023 by Pedro Moog and Leonardo Lattavo, the design duo behind
Lattoog , the
Arraia chair features
a wooden frame and upholstered seat. But the shape of the backrest is the piece's main feature – and also the main construction challenge. Made of laminated wood, with soft curves, the backrest seems to rest gently on the wooden frame. The inspiration came from the movement of a stingray floating through the water, which is why the marine animal also gave its name to the piece of furniture, which, due to its cozy shapes and ergonomics, can be used as an armchair. 4. Exuberant design
Just looking at this armchair, you can already imagine which animal it was inspired by. From its colors — blue or green — to its shape, the
Peacock armchair is a reference to the
peacock . It was created by the Israeli designer, based in New York,
Dror Bershetrit for the Italian brand
Cappellini . Created in 2009, the piece has exuberant shapes, with wavy folds made of felt, combined with sinuous curves, which create an irreverent design. The structure is made of metal varnished in a dark tone.
5. Brazilian power
Designed by
Sergio Matos , the
Cobra Coral chair has the contours and colors of the animal that inhabits all of Brazil. With a bold and provocative design, the piece has a stainless steel structure and a naval rope covering. The coral, black and white tones alternate, highlighting the artisanal work and directly referring to the snake.
6. Subtle details
In 1971, Dino Gavino launched what he called l'opera d'arte funzionale , or functional works of art, bringing a new approach to furniture. This led to the creation of the Ultramobile collection, with pieces that engaged the imagination, where geometry interacted with fantasy. And one of these pieces was the Traccia. In the 1970s, the company Simon International produced a limited edition in a smaller size and, recently, it was relaunched by Cassina, which fully respected the original design of the furniture. 7. Intriguing Tangle
A design-art piece created by the
Campana Brothers in 2017, the
Arachnid Chair Black is part of the
Hybridism collection. The chair pays homage to the
webs produced by
spiders , in addition to being treated as a symbol to honor and preserve smaller creatures in nature, such as insects, for example. The plush weave is made of thick velvet and covers the organic structure of the piece, just as a web would cover the irregular mountains of the Atlantic Forest. The idea is to reference the delicate balance of the ecosystem that we find in nature.
8. Gifts of nature
Designed by Venezuelan architect Pedro Useche , who lives in Brazil, the Giving Tree is accompanied by a dog -shaped sculpture and was created based on the principles of sustainable, economically viable and socially fair design. The cutting process for the pieces is fully computerized to make the most of the wood chosen as the raw material: a single board of certified pine. 9. Preciousness of rivers
Another piece created by designer Sergio Matos , the Pirarucu armchair exalts the grandeur of the largest fish that inhabits Brazil's freshwaters. A symbol of the Amazon Basin , the pirarucu is the protagonist of legends that surround indigenous and riverside communities. The piece created by Sergio is surrounded by references. On the back, for example, the stainless steel structure covered in naval rope refers to the fish's backbone, which reaches over two meters long. 10. Playful touch
Designed by Henrique Steyer , the Onça table is part of a collection of pieces in which the architect works with the shapes of animals typical of Brazilian fauna in a playful and fun way. The professional's idea in choosing this path is to value the culture of our country and create something unique for the furniture market. Completing the line are tables in the shapes of monkeys, capybaras, alligators and anteaters. The pieces come in different sizes and can also be used as benches. 
