Design doesn’t have to be stuffy and staid and expected and ordinary.  Interior designers, architects, furniture & lighting designers all revel in letting their creativity loose.  Here’s what happens.  At first glance some of these ideas may not seem to have any redeeming value.  Take a moment to look a little closer.  Do you find some small element you can adapt or make your own?

FUNKY FURNITURE

Let's see, where would I use this? Hmmmmm (via dornob)

Sometimes design leaves the realm of practical and reality and we end up with…..surprising.  Let’s see, the small element I might take from this design is the basic shape of the chaise with the the angled back.  Tiger head, not so much.  (via dornob)

An interesting and adaptable table.

Here’s a touch of ingenuity I can support – a versatile piece of furniture serving as end table/magazine rack or as a laptop work table.   A good first-apartment sized piece of furniture that serves double duty – excellent! 

A chest lit from the inside to illuminate the cutouts by Jo Meesters.

I wonder if a similar, simpler design could be accomplished with upholstery tacks creating a pattern on a piece of furniture.  Or, break out the drill and go to work on a flea market find.  The idea of a lighted piece of furniture could help a dark corner in a dining room or entry hall.  (House & Home magazine)

Bouquet chair by Designer of the Year '08 Tokujin Yoshioka.

The snug fabric “petals” in this chair (the bouquet chair) bounce back when the sitter stands up.  You’re supposed to feel enveloped and appreciated much like when you receive flowers.  All I see is a dust collector.  Can’t quite put my finger on an inspiration I take away from this one.

Walnut and plexiglass table by Hudson Furniture.

I like this combination of a natural element and the stark modernity of chunky plexiglass to create a stunning, unusual table (dubbed SexyPlexy).  There’s nothing to show the scale but I’d be equally thrilled to have it as a dining table or use it in an office as a conference table.  The inspiration I take from the Hudson Furniture design is to embrace combining Mother Nature with man-made textures for the best of both worlds.

Furry sofa anyone? From Edra Furniture

Dream of returning to disco days?  Found this gem on Furniture Fashion where you can see lots more color combos if neither of these appeal to you.  Searching for inspiration….searching….  How about using colored furry fabric to make some big floor pillows in a kids’ playroom – comfy, fun, colorful & energetic for children.

OTHER FUNKY FINDS

A chandelier of......goblets?

 This is touted as a functional and attractive alternative for lighting – a place to store your glasses.  Really?  Another design idea I can’t really find inspiration in… (via met home)

Imaginative shelving by Mark Kinsley

Now here’s a new take on art – or is it shelving?  The ‘art’ is fully changeable with any of the sections able to fold down to become a shelf so you can change it up whenever you’d like.  Riveli shelving is a patent pending design by Mark Kinsley.  A couple more options:

Mark Kinsley art shelving.

More Kinsley shelving

Finally, leather wall tiles from Studioart.  Look at the variety of textures and play of light that can be created by a mosaic of these tiles.  If this is too busy of a pattern, just choose one or two and create your own stylish, elegant, textural wall treatment.

Leather wall tiles.

I certainly hope I was able to bring a smile or an “aha” moment for you with this random collection of design ideas.  If you’re wandering the web and come across something innovative and inspiring - or something silly and “what-were-they-thinking” – let us all know.  Add your comment below.