# Smooth Cork Seating The Eroded Stool by I M Lab Looks Like Liquid Wore It Down By Meghan Young | Published 2013-01-25 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/eroded-stool References: [contemporist](http://www.contemporist.com/2013/01/24/eroded-stools-by-im-lab/) & [imlab](http://www.imlab.co.uk/) The Eroded Stool looks as though it has been inspired by an exotic landscape. Instead of appearing worn down, the smooth surface simply looks to have adopted a more refined aesthetic. Simple and sculptural, it would be almost impossible to guess that the Eroded Stool was made out of cork if the sides were not exposed. Designed by Alessandro Isola and Supriya Mankad of I M Lab, the Eroded Stool was specifically created for a wine testing room in the north east of Italy. The cork has been carved in such a way as to create the illusion that liquid was poured on to it continuously until it made its own natural path. That 'path' was covered in fabric. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.9/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 64% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Refined Cork Furniture:** The trend of designing furniture using refined and smooth-surfaced cork material is growing in the market. - **Illusionary Furniture Design:** The trend of creating furniture designs that have an illusionary effect created through carving cork material is becoming popular. - **Natural-inspired Furniture:** The trend of designing furniture with natural landscapes and their structures as the inspiration for the product's aesthetic has taken root in the market. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Innovative furniture manufacturing companies must consider using cork material to develop unique pieces of furniture that are eco-friendly and presently in-demand. - **Interior Design:** Interior design companies can integrate illusionary furniture designs made with cork materials in creating a serene natural-themed interior design for clients. - **Wine Industry:** Wineries can use refined, illusionary furniture designs carved out of cork to create a distinctly natural-inspired atmosphere in their tasting rooms for customers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Active Sitting Cork Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ylin-stool.md) - [Cork Bathroom Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bathroom-seating.md) - [Hand Carved Cork Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dol-furniture.md) - [Visibly Undulating Stool Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/concave-stool.md) - [Olive Pit-Constructed Kids Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nontalo.md) - [Sustainable Cork Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forest-for-the-trees.md) - [Sustainable Chrome Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cork-collection.md) - [Sustainable Modern Bathroom Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/marco-carini.md) - [Stackable Cork-Made Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/modular-cork-seating.md)