I really like cork as a material in design, it’s natural, nice to the touch and I personally think it’s visually interesting. Almost all cork is harvested from the Cork Oak tree and mixed with a material called Suberin, which prevents water from entering it. The material is also environmentally friendly and the tree is not killed in the process, pretty good right?

Cork has been used for thermal insulation and can also be used as a facade for buildings. In the recent World Expo in Shanghai the Portuguese Pavilion was entirely covered with cork panels.

Designer Benjamin Hubert used cork in a series of lamps called Float. The lamps look like they are glowing…they give off this really, really warm cozy light! The lamps are handmade from the waste product in wine stopper manufacture.

These small cork and plastic toy boats are really cute, by studio Big-Game for Materia.

Cork is also commonly used with porcelain and I think that’s a lovely blend, delicate and fragile vs. rough and resilient.

This cork and ceramic collection is designed by Raquel Castro in 2009. The cork keeps your fingers from burning when holding the cup and keeps your tea warmer for longer!

Designer Thomas Kral has designed a product range inspired by the red round clown nose. When I picture something inspired by clowns I really cant imagine anything beautiful…this was a pleasant surprise!

Although is does remind me a little bit of this…