Thinking outside the cardboard box

Cardboard is on the move, in fact, some are calling it the new bamboo in terms of it's recyclable-ness and eco-friendly qualities. Although there are many new products made from corrugated cardboard and cardboard composite from cutting-edge designers, there were a few cardboard pioneers who's designs go back 40 years. In 1972 the Easy Edges series by Frank Gehry debuted including the Wiggle chair ($984); Easy edges side chair ($984); and the Easy edges low table set ($1535)—all made from cardboard layers. The Wiggle chair, produced by Vitra, has quickly become a classic and part of the visual resume attached to Frank Gehry. Gehry wasn't the first to make a cardboard chair, however. In 1968 renowned industrial designer Peter Raacke created the Otto chair (see below) which is currently on display at MoMA in New York and the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao.

The Otto chair is coming back to the consumer market soon for around $120.

Architects Jonathan Junker and Seth Grizzle of GrayPants Inc. have designed a stunning series of pendant lamps made from salvaged pieces of corrugated cardboard. Check out the whole series right here ($135-$325).

Along with the groovy cardboard cat beds by Elizabeth Paige Smith, I love these Wall Flower cat scratchers by Marmalade ($35-$42).

Muji cardboard speakers ($42) are lightweight and collapsible. I use these Moleskine cahier journals ($7 for three) for everything—even a mouse pad.

British design collective, Farm Designs are using cardboard in a playful yet sound manner with everything from side tables to lighting.

Then there's the Cutting Table No. 1 by Sruli Recht, a transportable airplane-friendly modular cutting-table. If I had a nickel for everytime I needed to transport a work desk on a plane...