# Comfy Wooden Stools The Ash Cushion by Mary Dickerson is Responsive to Touch By Meghan Young | Published 2012-11-20 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ash-cushion References: [neatorama](http://www.neatorama.com/2012/11/20/Cushioned-Chair-Made-of-Nothing-But-Wood/) & [mocoloco](http://mocoloco.com/fresh2/2012/11/16/ash-cushion-by-mary-dickerson.php) Wood may often be thought of as warm and welcoming, but it is also hard and unforgiving; the Ash Cushion changes the latter perception. It is a unique creation that mimics the feel of a cushion using [ash wood](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collective-collection), hence its name. Conceived and created by young designer Mary Dickerson, the Ash Cushion achieves this deceptively soft and responsive surface through a series of strategic cuts. Essentially, Dickerson has sliced away thin layers from [wooden columns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mt-chair). This gives the column a springiness that is not often seen with wood materials. When a group of columns are combined together, the resulting seat becomes [responsive to touch](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reflect-1). This means it gives when a person sits on it. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 82% | Activity: 98% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Responsive Wooden Furniture:** There is an opportunity for designers to experiment with wood to create furniture that feels soft and responsive to touch. - **Innovative Material Use:** Designers can explore unconventional materials to create unique products with unexpected textures and properties. - **Sustainable Materials:** Using wood as a sustainable and renewable material in furniture design can be a trend for environmentally conscious consumers. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture Design:** Designers in the furniture industry can use this innovation to offer unique and comfortable wood furniture. - **Architecture and Interior Design:** Innovative use of materials can inspire architects and interior designers to create unique and visually appealing spaces. - **Woodworking and Carpentry:** Woodworkers and carpenters can incorporate this technique into their craft to create unique and functional pieces of furniture with a soft and comfortable feel. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Pillowy Wood Seating Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/press-armchair.md) - [Sprouting Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wood-chair-on-grass.md) - [Mindful Wooden Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tanuvi-hegde.md) - [Naturalistic Stainable Seat Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/daisee-chair.md) - [Stackable Cork-Like Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drum-stool-1.md) - [Sheep Fleece Fiberglass-Like Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/welsh-mountain-hembury-chair.md) - [Plastic-Inspired Wooden Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/plastic-translation-stool.md) - [Active Sitting Cork Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ylin-stool.md) - [Meditation Wood Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vipassa.md)