In 1960, Hans Wegner proved that mammals could make for great inspiration for mid-century modern design when he introduced his iconic Ox Chair (Still in production, the original is available here, and the repro here.)

Proving that ranch animals can still inspire cutting edge design, Extremis designer Dirk Wynants designed the Corral Table and Bronco chairs. This illuminating conference area is designed with the intention of providing an intimate and active seating environment. Its saddle-like triangular chairs promote upright posture. The matching corral table can be used as an illuminating surface as well as a light when hung upside-down.

The “Media Capital of the World”, Burbank, California is home to entertainment companies such as Disney, Warner Bros, and NBC. It is also home to one of the coolest blogs we’ve come across in a while. And when I say “cool”, I mean, these are some forward-thinking dudes. Electro Plankton, a design blog (tranism.com/weblog) focuses on pretty much anything you can look at, listen to, wear or buy.

 

Build a standing platform, a dining table, a wall, or decorative art with Bloxes, interlocking building blocks that are as easy as they are fun to assemble.

While this may look more like a golf-ball with a door, Japanese designer Kengo Kuma’s inflatable wonder is actually built on the traditional principles of a tea-house. When inflated (via a self-contained ventilation system), the inflatable tea house consists of an electric stove, a tokonoma niche, water kettle and preparation room, and LED lighting.

Knú
For the past 60 years or so, Zeeland Michigan has been a place where iconic ideas become reality. Home to legendary furniture manufacturer, Herman Miller, American-made classics from the likes of Charles & Ray Eames, George Nelson and Noguchi are still produced to this day in workshops throughout this city. Knú has emerged from one of these very workshops with a line of mid-century inspired sustainable home / office green furniture, built with the quality you’d expect from one of America’s most well reputed furniture manufacturer’s.

Denmark has long been a Mecca for great architectural and furniture design. Inspired by cars, spaceships and airplanes, Danish designer Phillip Grass, designs furniture that is futuristic and “with a sense of acceleration and speed.”