Wiid Design

Our second walnut Nautilus Shell Sculpture has been completed, featuring a specialised antique wax finish, applied by hand and gently heat-worked to enrich the natural tone, texture and grain of the timber.

Developed under the creative direction of Wiid Design, the sculpture forms part of our ongoing exploration of collectible, one-of-a-kind works inspired by the natural world. The piece was hand-carved by Dumi, our in-house carver, whose craftsmanship forms part of the broader studio process behind each work.

The sculpture features a richly textured, coral-inspired main stem, referencing the hard external skeletons of natural coral, accompanied by a variety of hand-carved seashell specimens. At the heart of the composition is an oversized Nautilus shell, the undeniable focal point, carved with exceptional attention to detail.

Each work is developed through a collaborative studio process, bringing together concept development, creative direction, material knowledge and skilled hand craftsmanship.

A celebration of curiosity, natural history and the enduring beauty of hand-carved objects.

Available at our studio.

The Sculptural Birdhouse.

A sculpture in its own right, this piece is designed to become part of its environment while offering a secondary functional and ecological purpose: providing a considered nesting space for birds and supporting local birdlife.

Cork is harvested from the bark of the cork oak tree, Quercus suber, without harming the tree, and the harvesting process is strictly regulated. It is also known for its natural insulating properties. The dark cork used for each birdhouse is 100% natural, thermally modified cork, making it suitable for outdoor use while offering a warm, protective nesting space that birds will naturally respond to.

One of the biggest challenges facing many bird species is not only the lack of food, but the shortage of safe spaces to nest. As forests continue to be managed intensively and old trees disappear, natural nesting cavities become increasingly rare.

Providing thoughtfully designed nesting spaces is one small way of helping restore balance and supporting local birdlife.

Birds play a vital role in maintaining healthy ecosystems, and even the smallest interventions can make a meaningful difference.

For more information, contact our team at [email protected].

I’ve always been fascinated by the complexity of shells, and by what remains once a creature has left this world. There is something deeply moving in these natural forms: delicate, collectable and architectural, yet shaped entirely by nature. They remind us to pause, observe and appreciate what is left behind.

Our new cork shell sculptures are hand carved, each one inspired by the unique formations, curves and textures found in different shell species. No two are ever the same.

Over the years, shells have become an ongoing exploration in our work, translated into sculptural forms that celebrate organic design, materiality and the beauty of imperfection.

Hand carved in dark or light composite cork and made slowly.

The collection is currently at our studio and available to view by appointment.

For more information, get in touch with our team, [email protected]

After months of research, design development, mock-ups, carving, shaping and refining in the studio, our team travelled to ’s breathtaking Lebombo Lodge to complete the final chapter of this project: the installation of The Gallery of Treasures.

We were invited by to create a unique artwork and installation, alongside fellow artists Christopher Parker , Tatenda Chidora and Jack Fillery , as part of a curated collection of contemporary artworks created specifically for this extraordinary setting.

For our installation, we explored a number of directions, but ultimately felt it was most meaningful to focus on animals from the Lebombo area and interpret them through hand-carved cork.

The final work consists of a 2.8 metre Nile crocodile, a life-size pangolin and carved giraffe, lion and hyena skulls, arranged within a 4.5 metre composition. The crocodile became the anchor of the work, almost as though it is submerged beneath the water, giving the installation a quiet sense of movement and presence.

Crafted entirely from cork, the installation continues our ongoing exploration of a material that is sustainable, tactile and deeply connected to the natural world. The dark thermally modified cork, with its rich character and distinctive scent, allowed us to create work that reflects nature, within nature itself.

Subtle details, such as the animal footprints, tie the work back to the landscape and add a quiet educational layer. We hope the installation leaves people with a sense of curiosity, pause and a deeper awareness of the natural world.

The Gallery of Treasures is now complete.

Wiid Design started small and has grown slowly and intentionally over time, shaped by experience, mentorship, collaboration, skilled hands, loyal clients and word of mouth.

Based in Cape Town, at the tip of Africa, our studio has become a highly specialised space where design, craft and material exploration come together under one roof.

Nothing here is made by one pair of hands. Every piece moves through the studio, from design to moulding, glazing, carving, assembling and finishing. Each person plays an important role, and each contribution adds value to the final work.

We are grateful to the clients, collaborators and makers who have helped shape our journey, allowing us to create pieces that are deeply considered, highly specialised and not found anywhere else in the world.

Different skills, different spaces, all connected.

A one-stop curiosity design shop, where rare materials, ideas and hands come together to make something truly distinctive.

One of several custom pieces created for ’s Elela Lodge in the Okavango Delta, this bespoke wine unit is the first of a number of installations we’ve been working on, alongside custom furniture, bar cladding, and wine cellar island bases.

Crafted from solid dark composite cork, the piece reflects Singita’s ongoing commitment to sustainability. Warm LED strip lighting by is positioned above each rack, gently illuminating selections from Singita’s legendary wine collection. The soft glow catches the bottles and brass pin hooks beautifully, bringing warmth and atmosphere to the space.

We’ve had the privilege of working with Singita for more than a decade, and they remain one of our most valued clients, admired for their clear vision of sustainability, conservation, and understated luxury.

Thank you to for this commission, and to for their continued support.

We’re looking forward to seeing it installed and experiencing the final result.

More to come.