Decorating
Beyond Bubbles: The Future for Cork Looks Unsinkable
Is cork only for keeping the sparkle in champagne? Take another look at an amazing product that does so much more
Wine corks, coasters and big clumpy shoes are by no means the end of the cork story. From Roman sandals to the cork floors favoured by Frank Lloyd Wright, cork’s remarkable qualities have been appreciated for centuries, and are being explored by modern designers for a whole raft of architectural and interior applications. See how cork is popping up in today’s homes and find out if it floats your boat.
Funky furniture
Young Scandinavian designers are creating stylish, multi-functional, portable and modular flat-pack cork furniture for a generation of nomadic Nordics. This room in a Swedish home shows how well-suited cork’s aesthetics and practicality are to the simple, unpretentious Scandinavian style so globally admired today.
Hot drinks and wet glasses are no problem on a cork tabletop, as it won’t be affected by heat or become water-stained. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth – and forget cork coasters that stick to the bottom of the glass.
Young Scandinavian designers are creating stylish, multi-functional, portable and modular flat-pack cork furniture for a generation of nomadic Nordics. This room in a Swedish home shows how well-suited cork’s aesthetics and practicality are to the simple, unpretentious Scandinavian style so globally admired today.
Hot drinks and wet glasses are no problem on a cork tabletop, as it won’t be affected by heat or become water-stained. Simply wipe clean with a damp cloth – and forget cork coasters that stick to the bottom of the glass.
British designer Jasper Morrison, along with Dutch design house Moooi, presented these cork objects – which serve as both small tables and seating options – at a recent Salone del Mobile in Milan. A similar group called Cork Family – a papa, mama and baby family of outsized cotton reels made in collaboration between Morrison and Vitra – also caused a stir.
Multi-functionality and portability inspired the design of both collections, as they can serve as stools, tables or ottomans. A modern process of high compression forms an almost indestructible coating on the cork, making them practical and durable pieces.
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Multi-functionality and portability inspired the design of both collections, as they can serve as stools, tables or ottomans. A modern process of high compression forms an almost indestructible coating on the cork, making them practical and durable pieces.
Browse more living room photos
Yet another way to sit on cork, and a humorous play on its long history as a bottle seal, is seen in these stools. Combining a steel base that echoes the wire cage on the top of a champagne bottle with deep sturdy cork ‘stoppers’, these fetching Bouchon stools are from Italian design studio Radice Orlandini for Domitalia.
This dramatic table is certainly rolling with the cork trend. Giant cylinders of cork, flattened on the base, support a heavy plate-glass top. The smaller side table is also fashioned from cork.
Megastore Ikea is on the cork train too, and has collaborated with British designer Ilse Crawford to create cork furniture for indoor and outdoor use. The collection consists of 30 pieces and includes bench-cum-coffee tables, stools, trestle dining tables, lamp bases and table and kitchenware, all celebrating the imperfections and tactility of cork for casual living. The Sinnerlig range was launched in Australia in late 2015.
Cork plus for stylish ceramics
The ceramics industry has gone mad for cork and it is appearing in tandem with materials like earthenware and stoneware in kitchen and table items. Combining delicate porcelain or glass with robust, earthy cork emphasises their contrasting textures. Cork’s resilience and heat-resistance make these elegant objects practical for preventing damage to surfaces.
The ceramics industry has gone mad for cork and it is appearing in tandem with materials like earthenware and stoneware in kitchen and table items. Combining delicate porcelain or glass with robust, earthy cork emphasises their contrasting textures. Cork’s resilience and heat-resistance make these elegant objects practical for preventing damage to surfaces.
Light effects
Cork is made up of millions of tiny cells that trap air – the reason why it floats. The pattern created when light travels through a thin section of cork spotlights its beauty. It is so pliable it can be wrapped around glass or clear acrylic to make glowing pendants like this one.
Cork is made up of millions of tiny cells that trap air – the reason why it floats. The pattern created when light travels through a thin section of cork spotlights its beauty. It is so pliable it can be wrapped around glass or clear acrylic to make glowing pendants like this one.
Cork underfoot
Advances in technology have expanded the cork colour palette to suit contemporary homes. Cork can be stained or painted to your preferred colour or left natural – your decor may suit subtle ash grey, white, black or chocolate brown, rather than the traditional yellow tones.
Cork is a sturdy material, but like timber, cork floors can show indentations from metal-tipped stilettos. Sharp doggy claws may also leave scratches, so keep those toenails trimmed. Cork is quiet, velvety underfoot and non-allergenic, making it a perfect choice for exercise areas and bedrooms where you often go barefoot.
Advances in technology have expanded the cork colour palette to suit contemporary homes. Cork can be stained or painted to your preferred colour or left natural – your decor may suit subtle ash grey, white, black or chocolate brown, rather than the traditional yellow tones.
Cork is a sturdy material, but like timber, cork floors can show indentations from metal-tipped stilettos. Sharp doggy claws may also leave scratches, so keep those toenails trimmed. Cork is quiet, velvety underfoot and non-allergenic, making it a perfect choice for exercise areas and bedrooms where you often go barefoot.
While retro style is still flying high and the shiny mustard-coloured golden floors of the ’70s are a perfect complement to a colourful and quirky look, a cooler more neutral cork tone is often the better way to go in modern homes.
Tip: Although cork bounces back from a certain amount of pressure, heavy furniture will, over time, create permanent impressions in a floor. Use furniture coasters to spread the load, an area rug underneath (Danskina weaves felted wool and cork into gorgeous, flexible rugs), or move the furniture piece around every so often.
Tip: Although cork bounces back from a certain amount of pressure, heavy furniture will, over time, create permanent impressions in a floor. Use furniture coasters to spread the load, an area rug underneath (Danskina weaves felted wool and cork into gorgeous, flexible rugs), or move the furniture piece around every so often.
Sealing is a must for cork floors, and satin or matt finishes bring out the material’s depth and texture, and enhances durability. Talk to flooring specialists about the best sealant – some are low VOC (volatile organic compounds) or natural oil-based – especially for high-traffic or very sunny spots. Read a comprehensive guide to the pros and cons of cork floors.
Cork floor planks and tiles are made from industry offcuts, ground, steamed, pressed and baked into sheets. It is a relatively non-toxic, low-energy process compared with many other materials.
Cork floor planks and tiles are made from industry offcuts, ground, steamed, pressed and baked into sheets. It is a relatively non-toxic, low-energy process compared with many other materials.
Winning walls
Cork wallpaper has entered the arena with eco-credentials and some very serious sparkle. Coloured or natural cork backed with metallics adds a quiet sheen to a sophisticated boudoir, as seen in this delicate silvery-grey wall behind a bed. For a bolder effect, metallic-backed cork wallpapers come in a wide range of colours, such as dark smokey pewter, antique bronze, warm rusty copper and midnight black with golden highlights.
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Cork wallpaper has entered the arena with eco-credentials and some very serious sparkle. Coloured or natural cork backed with metallics adds a quiet sheen to a sophisticated boudoir, as seen in this delicate silvery-grey wall behind a bed. For a bolder effect, metallic-backed cork wallpapers come in a wide range of colours, such as dark smokey pewter, antique bronze, warm rusty copper and midnight black with golden highlights.
Browse more bedroom photos
Or why not build a rainbow with mosaic ‘penny’ tiles? This stunning wall panel is in a white, natural and green-tea palette. Cork sections recycled from Spanish and Portuguese wine corks are coloured or left natural, then mortared and grouted onto a backing. The patterns and effects are endless.
Kids’ spaces
Expand the conventional cork board idea and cover an entire wall in a playroom or home office. Cork is almost self-healing when it comes to pins and spikes, so you can create a moving art or photo display and pin up temporary schedules and reminders without damage. It can be drawn on with chalk and, because it has sound-insulating qualities, a cork wall – or more than one – keeps the noise from the rest of the house out of a homework or reading space.
Read about the trend for organic kids’ spaces
Expand the conventional cork board idea and cover an entire wall in a playroom or home office. Cork is almost self-healing when it comes to pins and spikes, so you can create a moving art or photo display and pin up temporary schedules and reminders without damage. It can be drawn on with chalk and, because it has sound-insulating qualities, a cork wall – or more than one – keeps the noise from the rest of the house out of a homework or reading space.
Read about the trend for organic kids’ spaces
Cork in the kitchen
Splashbacks come in a vast range of materials, so why not cork? As with floors, a sealant is essential. An interesting look is to put a natural cork splashback behind clear glass, maintaining the pattern and texture, and making it impervious to oily cooking splashes.
For a comfortable and shock-absorbing floor surface in the kitchen, cork wins over other harder surfaces and dropped breakables will often just bounce right off it.
Splashbacks come in a vast range of materials, so why not cork? As with floors, a sealant is essential. An interesting look is to put a natural cork splashback behind clear glass, maintaining the pattern and texture, and making it impervious to oily cooking splashes.
For a comfortable and shock-absorbing floor surface in the kitchen, cork wins over other harder surfaces and dropped breakables will often just bounce right off it.
Here and there
Adding a touch of the cork trend to your home needn’t break the bank. Do your own thing with cork placemats or thick sheeting cut to size to make shelf dividers and backing. This look could be easily duplicated in an inexpensive bookcase, with warm natural cork contrasting with crisp white-painted timber.
Adding a touch of the cork trend to your home needn’t break the bank. Do your own thing with cork placemats or thick sheeting cut to size to make shelf dividers and backing. This look could be easily duplicated in an inexpensive bookcase, with warm natural cork contrasting with crisp white-painted timber.
In a material world
Cork fabric is getting lots of attention in the fashion world, and in homewares. Sometimes known as ‘vegan leather’, it has a soft suede feel and, unlike leather, is stain resistant, featherlight and doesn’t need special cleaning. It is available by the metre for home sewing projects from some fabric suppliers.
Cork fabric is getting lots of attention in the fashion world, and in homewares. Sometimes known as ‘vegan leather’, it has a soft suede feel and, unlike leather, is stain resistant, featherlight and doesn’t need special cleaning. It is available by the metre for home sewing projects from some fabric suppliers.
Cork fabric consists of a thin layer of natural cork bonded to a poly/cotton fabric backing. Its pliability makes it possible to upholster furniture, like these playful armchairs and sofa. (The entire end wall is also panelled in cork.) Championing down-to-earth natural materials is becoming a feature of 21st-century design and cork’s unique honeycomb textures and ‘raw’ look fits neatly into this earthy aesthetic.
Adopt a cork
Do your bit for cork recycling. Corks are perfect for kids’ projects, as they are easily cut and painted. For starters, you could turn them into keyring attachments, herb markers on wooden garden spikes, stamps, mini-planters (very vogue), hangers for tea towels or hats, or fridge magnets in a fun and easy DIY project.
Tip: Boil corks for 10 minutes before cutting or carving. It stops them crumbling.
TELL US
What are your thoughts on how cork is being used today? Have you used it in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
Do your bit for cork recycling. Corks are perfect for kids’ projects, as they are easily cut and painted. For starters, you could turn them into keyring attachments, herb markers on wooden garden spikes, stamps, mini-planters (very vogue), hangers for tea towels or hats, or fridge magnets in a fun and easy DIY project.
Tip: Boil corks for 10 minutes before cutting or carving. It stops them crumbling.
TELL US
What are your thoughts on how cork is being used today? Have you used it in your home? Tell us in the Comments.
MORE
Read more decorating stories
What do you call a product that is recyclable, non-allergenic, zero-waste, sustainable, versatile and beautiful? It’s been called nature’s nearly-perfect material and comes close to fulfilling the wish list of the most fervent eco-champions. Quercus suber, the cork oak, is Portugal’s national tree and most of the world’s cork comes from Portugal.
After the ‘wine cork versus screw cap’ controversy of the last decade, the cork industry diversified into other markets. Today, our homes are benefitting from cork’s magical attributes and forward-thinking designers who are redefining cork in imaginative and practical ways.