Swing with the Plants by Marcel Wanders

Marcel Wanders
Swing with the Plants, 2000

Marcel Wanders came up with Swing with the Plants for Droog, and he decided to let nature handle the final styling details.

On the surface, it’s just a clean, minimalist playground swing. The brilliant part is hidden in plain sight: the seat is actually a hollow planter. You pack it with soil, drop in some seeds, and watch what happens. As ivy or climbing vines sprout, they naturally weave their way up the hanging ropes. Over time, the plain black structure becomes a lush, living garden seat.

This piece is a perfect example of the fun and slightly mischievous design sense. It takes a sweet childhood memory and flips it on its head by turning it into a gardening project. Made from durable, weather-resistant material, it’s happy hanging from an oak tree outside or bringing a bit of unexpected wildness straight into a modern living room. It’s less of a piece of furniture and more of an ongoing, living installation for your home.