Wiid Design bespoke pieces

Established by designer Laurie Wiid in 2013, Cape Town-based Wiid Design is well-known for its bespoke pieces that combine specialist manufacturing with handcrafting.

Lauded for its innovative use of cork, Laurie has championed the use of the material in high-end product design, architecture and large-scale production manufacturing over the years.

“Cork is one of the main materials used in the design of our furniture and decor items,” explains Laurie. “I can think of no other material that is fully recyclable, biodegradable, reusable, lightweight, elastic, compressible, durable, hypoallergenic, anti-fungal, fire-resistant and an excellent insulator with ideal thermal properties.

For a contemporary spin, Laurie has also taken to introducing colour to his cork designs.

“I love combining colour with cork, given it is a natural material related to timber it lends itself to similar applications and finishes. Cork is, however, unique in many ways and has a very special texture, a texture that can be enhanced when applying a few coats of colourful paint. Our dark cork is also suitable for outdoor use, we therefore only paint the darker grades as this allows for durable outdoor furniture pieces, painted to perfection in an array of colours.”

Pushing the boundaries of design, today Wiid Design has several collections featuring the incredibly light, impermeable, elastic and abrasion-resistant material in bold colourways. This includes the cerulean-blue Glass and Painted Cork Tall Table.

“This piece plays with paint pigments to emphasise the unique texture of the cork in combination with the smooth surface and contemporary feel of the glass,” explains Laurie. “The cork as material is transformed with a coat of unique Mexican blue paint: It retains its unique texture and sustainable properties, and its durability is further enhanced by the paint.”

Other colourful designs include the African Cork Stool, available in four shapes and various painted finishes, and the Triangular Cork Seat.