Cork Stools: The Eco-Seat

At $405 a pop, Jasper Morrison's cork stools won't be coming home with me anytime soon, but oh, how I wish they could. Each of these pieces can be used as either a side table or stool. Modern but earthy, and simple to the point of minimal, these stool/tables are contemporary design at it's best.

In 2004 Morrison designed three different cork stools, which are manufactured by Vitra and collectively referred to as the 'Cork Family.' In five short years, these simple seats are already a design classic (my personal favorite is Model A). It's no surprise these stools are a timeless design: Morrison is a world-renowned designer, whose impressive list of clients includes Alessi, Cappellini, Magis, Rosenthal and Rowenta, among others.

As their name suggests, they're made from cork, which is a versatile material that could look chic in a super-urban pad or in a rustic retreat. Cork is also lightweight, but highly durable. Plus, it's is an environmentally-sound choice: Cork is a natural product harvested from trees in a responsible manner that mean the same tree can harvested for generations without harming the tree.

You can purchase all three members of the Cork Family online at DesignPublic.com.