Four

The great outdoors

BY Four, March 22, 2012

Outdoor furniture brand Dedon has recently launched Mini-Nestrest, a pet bed to match the lounge they originally created for humans, proving there is a little bit of truth in the theory that dogs and their owners do end up looking alike. Or at least, the style-conscious ones.

Designed by Paris-based duo Daniel Pouzet and Fred Frety, the Mini-Nestrest can sit on the ground or be hung from a tree, just like the bird nest that inspired the design. The duo is currently working on another product for pets, also inspired by nature, which is still at prototype stage. We chat with Daniel about drawing inspiration and how Nestrest evolved into its mini companion.

When you design, what kicks up an idea?
It is always nature that inspires me.

So it is true that Nestrest was inspired by bird nests.  
Yes, the idea of Nestrest came from bird nests. I’ve traveled for a couple of years with my family, from Alaska to Ushuaia, and when we went through Costa Rica, in the  jungle we discovered trees full of these nests. I enjoyed our kids’ idea that families could live in these kinds of nests. Additionally, I came across these nests again in  the Philippines, and it finally kicked the idea to design a product. So, as for the inspiration, what does not come from the nature directly comes from my kids. Originally, the nest’s theoretical idea was to build ecological seasonal communities in the trees — you would just need ecological toilets and hang everything without interaction with the ground.

It is interesting you decided to adapt a product initially designed for humans, for their pets.
Before designing a product, there is always the basic human needs to consider. It’s about birth, nesting, cocooning – every new design idea talks deeply about our origins. This applies for every creature – may it be human or not.

Any adjustment required for the pet version?
Only from the structural point of view.

How environmentally friendly is Nestrest?
As an integrated design concept from nature, yes, no doubt. As a piece of furniture, the nests are built with a synthetic fiber which is completely recyclable and the longevity of the products is outstanding.

Do you think dogs end up looking like their owners?
Yes, of course, no doubt about this!

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Images courtesy of Dedon
dedon.com.de

Tags Bed, Daniel Pouzet, Design, Fred Frety, Gifts, Living, Nestrest, Product, Sustainable