Inspiration

A journey to past-era offices

Written by Ethnicraft | May 19, 2025 6:27:35 AM
 

Decades of design:
when furniture transcends time

  

OFFICES & WORKSPACES, MAY 25

  
 

Exploring timelessness: AI-crafted office scenes featuring our Ethnicraft collection

Ethnicraft HQ
1963

  
 

This visual experiment is more than a nod to nostalgia. It’s a statement about what we stand for: furniture that lasts, not only in craftsmanship, but in aesthetic relevance. Because truly good design never goes out of style.

  

We set out to see just how well great furniture holds its own over time. Using AI-generated imagery, we placed our office furniture in interiors from the past century – and the result? Pieces that feel just as at home in the 1960s as they do today.

  
 

Future technologies,
letting us travel back in time.

  
 

The Jack lounge chair:
retro front room setting, modern comfort

1965 Lobby
  
London, UK
 
 

In the quiet of a waiting room from decades past, the Jack lounge chair offers a moment of refined retreat. With sculptural curves and clean lines, it brings a sense of modern ease to a nostalgic space. Its presence is calm, confident and timeless – the kind of comfort that never feels out of place.

  

Designed for spaces where time seems to slow down, the Sono sideboard draws from vintage inspirations to bring sculptural beauty to a lounge setting. Hand-carved panels nod to antique craftsmanship, while delicate casted brass handles introduce a modern touch. Behind its refined lines lies generous storage—blending function with timeless appeal.

  
 

By reimagining our furniture in vintage
office environments, we wanted to test whether
the design still holds up in drastically different styles.
Spoiler: it does.

  
 
 

The 1960s office: a world of rotary phones, warm wood panelling, and mid-century charm. At the centre: the Panel lounge chair and Boomerang desk. Despite the retro setting, these pieces fit right in.

  

Panel lounge chair & Boomerang desk – Their sculptural forms and natural materials echo the design ethos of the era, while remaining unmistakably contemporary. This striking blend of past and present highlights the enduring appeal of thoughtful, well-crafted design.

 

  
 

Designed for now: at home in any era

  
 
1965 CEO Office
  
Berlin, Germany
 

The Oscar drawer unit,
seen in a vintage light

Blending eras with ease the Oscar drawer unit brings modern functionality into a retro context. With hand-carved teak detailing, and clever features for both mobility and security, it’s built for today’s workflows – whether tucked beneath a desk or standing alone. Reimagined in a 1960s setting, it proves that quality craftsmanship and practical design transcend time.

  
 
 
 

The Blend table and Osso stool in a 1960s cafeteria setting.
Timeless pieces for everyday pauses.

  
 

The Blend’s interchangeable table tops bring flexibility to any aesthetic, especially in commercial settings.

  

In the warmth of a vintage cafeteria, the Blend table finds its place with quiet confidence. Its elegant simplicity and tactile materials resonate with the spirit of a bygone era, while its everyday functionality speaks to the present. Designed for shared moments – whether over coffee or conversation – it adapts with ease.

The Blend table,
blending into the charm
of the vintage cafeteria

1967 Cafetaria
  
Toronto, Canada
 
 

The Osso stool:
where soft curves
meet sturdy purpose

1965 Bar
  
Paris, France

Osso is one of our most popular designs because of its versatility. This bar stool height adds another option to its wide array of possibilities – a sleek perch for a standing desk, for example.

  

The refined curves and minimal profile of the Osso stool offer comfort and character in equal measure. In this retro setting, it becomes the perfect place to unwind, proving that subtle design speaks volumes.

  
   
 

Inspired by the low-slung silhouettes and modular sensibility of the 60s, the N701 modular sofa balances a structured form with relaxed comfort. Its quilted detailing and soft curves create a versatile seating system that invites connection. A celebration of craftsmanship and enduring style, the N701 fits naturally in both vintage-inspired and modern interiors — a hallmark of laid-back sophistication.

  
 

Reimagined mid-century modularity
with structure and softness. A study in relaxed form,
the N701 remains a standout for any space
— where past spirit and modern comfort meet.

  
 
 

Geometric meeting table
– A modern classic rooted
in the 1960s

1964 Conference room
  
Brussels, Belgium
 
 

Mid-century Geometry,
modern utlity

Merging timeless design with contemporary needs, the Geometric meeting table draws inspiration from the clean, architectural lines of the 1960s. Its sculptural base, carved with precision and balance, supports a generous tabletop that invites conversation and collaboration. Crafted from solid oak and finished with care, this piece is more than furniture – it’s a statement. Whether anchoring a conference room or creating a focal point in an open workspace, it brings both form and function into harmony. Designed for modern workflows, the table bridges eras with enduring style and utility.

    
 

 
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