This Maximo Riera Toad Sofa is ready to leap-frog its way into your living room. Created by the Spanish designer as part of his ‘Animal Chair Collection,’ the toad sofa juxtaposes grotesque qualities with chic sophistication. The designer mimicked the back of a standard toad perfectly -- showing its legs poised and ready to hop -- whilst the front encases a cosy classic Victorian two-seater. What’s also striking about the piece is that the amphibian's bumpy skin is recreated so well in the embossed leather.
Other works in the collection have included a rhino, whale, octopus and elephant. The toad is the first two-seater of the collection. Each sofa is unique and handmade to order, taking about 11 weeks to complete. The toad sofa costs approx $88,500.
Surrealist Amphibious Furniture
The Maximo Riera Toad Sofa Mimics a Leaping Frog
Trend Themes
1. Amphibian-inspired Furniture - Furniture designers should explore incorporating animal themes into their creations to tap into the unique aesthetic qualities that amphibians, like toads, embody.
2. Handmade, Unique Furniture - The trend of customized, made-to-order pieces like the Maximo Riera Toad Sofa is growing; furniture designers and manufacturers should consider how they can incorporate more unique, one-of-a-kind pieces into their inventory.
3. Innovative Textile Techniques - Designers should experiment with new fabric techniques such as embossed leather, which can be used to add texture and visual interest to furniture pieces and other products.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture Design - Furniture designers and manufacturers can tap into this trend of unique, animal-inspired furniture and explore new ways to make one-of-a-kind pieces for their customers.
2. Luxury Home Decor - High-end interior designers and architects can incorporate these unique furniture pieces into their projects to add a touch of luxury and whimsy to living spaces.
3. Textile Manufacturing - Fabric manufacturers should experiment with new techniques like embossed leather to create unique, high-end materials that can be incorporated into furniture pieces and other luxury products.