What if we told you that the set designers for Star Trek didn’t make every single thing that ever appeared on the show? Instead, the staff worked very carefully on sourcing and selecting everyday objects that would fit the overall theme of the show. Everything from cutlery to glasses and even chairs in the show were everyday items accessible to most of us (at some point). For example, Captain Janeway's office chair is a Signét 8400 chair from HÅG, which is a Norwegian design company, not to mention there were also items that were bought at IKEA.

With that being said, we’d like you to meet Eno, the owner of an Instagram page called ‘startrekdesign.’ Eno has carefully researched many of the objects, such as furniture and silverware, that appear in the Star Trek franchise, and decided to create an Instagram account to share his findings with other fans of the show!

More info: Instagram | star-trek.design

#1

Spherical Tube Lamps by Roger Rougier.

The Rougier Tube Lamp was the second ever piece I featured on Ex Astris Supellex. I initially claimed that it appeared in The Search for Spock and TNG, but have since discovered that the spherical version was also used in DS9, as set dressing on the Founder home world. They were Designed and produced in the 1970’s.

Image credits: startrekdesign

Bored Panda reached out to Eno.

“Well, when I started this project it was the beginning of quarantine. I had just gotten laid off from both my jobs because of the pandemic, so I was, like everyone else, stuck inside watching TV for hours a day. In my case, I was rewatching Star Trek pretty much all day every day."

#2

Bistro Cup designed by Carsten Jorgensen for Bodum.

Carsten Jorgensen is a Danish industrial designer, best known for his work for Bodum. His Bistro teacup is so ubiquitous to The Next Generation, it is sometimes referred to as “The Picard Cup,” from which Captain Picard drinks his “Tea, Earl Grey, Hot.” It’s was also used in Voyager and the new Picard series. Originally designed in 1974, it is now out of production but is still relatively easy to find online.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#3

Hill House Chair designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh.

Charles Rennie Mackintosh was a Scottish architect and designer, whose Argyle Chair I’ve previously featured. His Hill House Chair was designed in 1902 as a furnishing accessory for the Hill House in Helensburgh, Scotland. Like the Argyle Chair, the Hill House Chair was used in the Enterprise episode, “Exile.” It was also used, more prominently and more often, in Babylon 5, as the seating for the council chamber.

Image credits: startrekdesign

"I'd already known about a few designers whose work was used: Carsten Jorgensen (the 'Picard Cup'), Maurice Burke (the Tulip Chair from TOS), and Joe Colombo (the Boby Cart used in almost every sick bay). I was always really delighted to see furniture and objects I recognized on screen and I was curious about what else had been used. I started an Instagram as a kind of personal project to document what I learned. It turned out other people liked it, and it's grown pretty exponentially."

#4

Tatlin Sofa designed by Marion Cananzi & Roberto Semprini for Edra.

The Tatlin Sofa was designed in the late 1980’s for Italian design firm, Edra. It’s name and distinctive spiral shape are referential to Tatlin’s Tower (sixth slide), the unbuilt monument to the 3rd International designed by the Russian artist, Vladimir Tatlin, following the Bolshevik Revolution. It seems ironic to be used to furnish the collection room of a private collector/hoarder of stolen artwork (and kidnapper of Data) in the TNG episode “The Most Toys.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#5

Serpentine Sofa designed by Milo Baughman.

Baughman was a mid century furniture designer, whose serpentine sofa was produced in the 1970’s. If this is his design (which, based on all of the serpentine sofa’s I’ve found, and that TNG has used Baughman’s designs in the past, I believe it is), it was used in TNG to furnish Deanna Troi’s office.

Image credits: startrekdesign

"Pretty soon after beginning, I found the websites Quark’s Qantina and Ex Astris Scientia, which each maintain pages sourcing the tableware and chairs, respectively, used across Star Trek series. I shouldn't have been surprised I was not alone in this hobby. Some of the posts on my Instagram and website are originally from them (always credited). Now that I've learned a lot more about design history and styles, I've been increasingly able to source objects on my own. I actually collaborate with both Quark's Qantina and EAS now, which is kind of a dream since I admire them so much.”

#6

Sylvie Chair by R & Y Augousti.

R & Y Augousti is a French furniture company, known for maximalism and use of organic shapes. The Sylvie chair, designed sometime in the 1990’s, was used in the TNG episode, “Eye of the Beholder.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#7

Pyramid Wine Glasses by Cristal d'Arques.

Cristal d'Arques is a French crystalware manufacturer, founded in 1968. The Pyramid set is no longer in production, but can still be found on Etsy and EBay. They were used in Star Trek Voyager, in the episode “Body and Soul.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#8

Cocktail Shaker designed by Sylvia Stave.

Sylvia Stave was a Swedish designer, best known for her work in pewter, brass, and silver. This cocktail shaker was originally designed in 1937, and then reproduced in 1989 for Italian housewares company, Alessi. It was used in Star Trek TNG.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#9

Ribbon Chair designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort.

Another Paulin piece, this time appearing in The Original Series, in “The Cloud Minders.” Paulin’s chairs were used widely in TNG, but, to my knowledge, only appear this once in TOS. The Ribbon Chair, designed in 1966, was also used in Blade Runner 2049 (5th slide). It’s interesting to note, in both The Cloud Minders and Blade Runner 2049, these chairs appear to indicate wealth, status, and taste by the higher classes of caste-stratified societies. In contrast, the use of Paulin’s furnishings in TNG do the opposite: they offer a scene of the comfort and aesthetics attainable and accessible to all Federation citizens in a society based on cooperation and equality.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#10

Suspens and Suspension Chairs designed by Paul Boulva for Artopex.

Paul Boulva is a Canadian furniture designer, best known to design aficionados as the designer of the Artopex Lotus chairs. Very few, however, know about his far-more famous chair designs (though I imagine this will become public knowledge very soon): the Suspens and Suspension chairs, designed in the 1980s. The Suspens chairs were used as seating for Ten Forward in TNG, while the Suspension chairs were used in both Ten Forward and in Voyager’s Mess Hall.  These are sometimes misattributed to Jan Ekselius, who designed very similar chairs.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#11

Ekstrem Chair designed by Terje Ekstrøm for Stokke.

Terje Ekstrøm was a Norwegian industrial designer and pioneer of Norwegian postmodernism. His Ekstrem chair was designed in 1972 and manufactured in the 1980’s by Stokke. It was used in Star Trek Voyager on the Ocampa home world.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#12

E1027 Table designed by Eileen Gray.

Eileen Gray was an Irish architect, furniture designer, and pioneer of early modernism. Her E1027 Table, designed in 1927, is adjustable and was designed for use “over the knees” or as an occasional/side table. It was used in The Search for Spock, in the Starfleet Officer’s Lounge.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#13

Boby Cart designed by Joe Colombo.

Joe Colombo was an influential midcentury Italian industrial designer whose Boby Cart is essential to Star Trek medical design. They were used in The Final Frontier as a bridge prop, TNG Enterprise and alien Sick Bays, and DS9 Sick Bay. If anyone has a screenshot of it used on Voyager or Enterprise, please let me know. I haven’t noticed one, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it was used.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#14

Turner Chair designed by Jack Crebolder for Harvink.

Jack Crebolder was a Dutch industrial designer, whose Turner Chair was designed in 1982. It was meant to be limited addition, and only 1000 original chairs were ever manufactured. The Turner Chair was used in a single episode of The Next Generation, “Haven.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#15

Teacup designed by George Sowden for Bodum.

George Sowden is an English industrial designer and one of the founders of the Memphis Group. These teacups were designed in 1987 for Bodum, and were used in the TNG episode, “Pen Pals.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#16

Chicago Amethyst Water Goblet by Sasaki.

Sasaki was a Japanese glassware manufacturer. Their Chicago water goblets were used in the DS9 episode, “Looking for par’Mach in All the Wrong Places,” as glassware for Keiko and O’Brien’s quarters. The Chicago line is no longer in production.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#17

Exl Flatware designed by Robert Wilhite for Bissell & Wilhite.

Robert Wilhite is an American artist and industrial designer whose work explores geometric abstraction. This is apparent in his flatware designs. The Exl pattern features sharp, asymmetric shapes and angles that appear simultaneously severe and playful. This flatware set was used in seasons 6 and 7 of Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#18

Gakko Slide Chair designed by Tayfur Ozkaynak for Soho Concept.

Tayfur Ozkaynak is a contemporary industrial designer, who’s designed several chairs for Soho Concept. The Gakko Slide chair was used as seating for Discovery’s mess hall.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#19

Rocking Chaise designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.

Milo Baughman was a prolific American furniture designer, best know for his work for Thayer Coggin. His iconic rocking chaises were designed and produced in the 1970’s and are fairly easy to find online. Unfortunately, the rounded versions, which were used in Star Trek, are much rarer than the squared ones. They were used to furnish the Enterprise-D’s crew quarters in The Next Generation.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#20

Kinetic Ribbon Sculpture by C. Jeré.

C. Jeré is an American metalworking company and producer of decorative sculptures and wall hangings. The Star Trek set designers must have really loved this company, as this is the third C. Jeré piece I’ve posted so far. It was used in TNG as set dressing for Data’s Quarters.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#21

KN1001 Side Table by Keiser-Newman.

Keiser-Newman was a American furniture manufacturer, founded in 1982, by Bruce Keiser and Don Newman. This side table, constructed from glass, aluminum, and Carrera marble, is evocative of a flying saucer. It remains Keiser-Newman’s most recognizable work. In what might be a Mandela effect of design history, this side table is more often found online as “Kaiser Newman,” and is often dated as having been produced in the 1990′s, despite first appearing in Star Trek in 1989. It was used in The Next Generation as set dressing for Riker’s quarters.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#22

Tea Set designed by Yoshiharu Fuwa for Cook Vessel.

Yoshiharu Fuwa was a Japanese industrial designer. This aluminum tea set for Cook Vessel is one of his most recognizable works, and continues to be sought after by admirers of postmodern and Memphis-style design. It was used in The Next Generation episode, “The Drumhead,” as the tea service in Admiral Norah Satie’s quarters.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#23

No Spill Mugs by Feltman-Langer.

Feltman-Langer, now known as AmericaWare, is an American souvenir supply company. While the company’s specialty is adventure and vacation themed cups and accessories, they are best known for their contribution to Deep Space Nine. These mugs were painted light blue, likely by set designers, to serve as the Replimat’s Raktajino mugs. Designed in the 1980’s, they are no longer in production. They’re very easy to find online, but not in the classic Replimat Blue.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#24

Landscape Dining Set designed by Ross Lovegrove for Frighetto.

Ross Lovegrove is a Welsh industrial designer known for his use of sinuous, organic shapes. The Landscape dining table and chairs were originally designed in 1998 for Frighetto, though the tables are no longer in production. The chairs are now manufactured by Italian furniture company, Estel. Both were used in ENT, as furnishing for the Enterprise NX-01’s mess hall.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#25

Von Vogelsang Chairs designed by Philippe Starck for Driade.

Philippe Starck is a French architect and industrial designer, who also designed the Romantica Chairs used in TNG and Enterprise. The Von Vogelsang chairs were designed in 1985 and used in The Next Generation episode, “Sarek.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#26

Vacuum Pitcher by Thermos.

This is a very minor piece that, to my knowledge, only appeared in one episode of Star Trek (well, two if we’re counting The Cage and The Menagerie separately), but it’s meaningful for me because it’s the first ever item I added to my “Unidentified” folder and I’m happy to finally remove it.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#27

Zigzag Stem Martini Glasses by Sasaki.

This is a correction of an earlier post! I initially attributed these glasses to Fris Vodka, which produced very similar martini glasses with black zigzag stems. I was recently informed by Barb, of Quark’s Qantina, that the actual glasses used were produced by Sasaki. I’ve been unsuccessful in finding any more images online, but Barb sent me the one used in the final slide, from her own glassware collection, with the Sasaki label still attached.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#28

Paperclip Stool designed by Hugh Hamilton & Philip Salmon for Kinetics.

Kinetics was a mid century and postmodern furniture company, best known as the original manufacturers of the K700 Paperclip Stool in 1969. It was used as set dressing for the Romulan ship in the TNG episode, “Timescape.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#29

Groovy Lounge Chair designed by Pierre Paulin for Artifort.

Yet another Paulin post! These chairs were for designed for Dutch design group, Artifort, in 1973. The Groovy Chair outfits the corridors and crew quarters of the Enterprise-D in Star Trek: The Next Generation.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#30

Platner Stool designed by Warren Platner for Knoll.

Warren Platner was a mid century American architect and interior designer, whose Platner collection was designed in 1966, for Knoll. His stools were used in The Next Generation, as set dressing for Counselor Troi’s office.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#31

HotJo Travel Mug by Highwave.

The HotJo mugs were used in several episodes of DS9, as Quark’s Bar’s Raktajino cups. While these mugs are still being produced by Highwave, the purple version was commissioned specifically for Star Trek, and is not commercially available.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#32

Swan Candlesticks designed by Matthew Hilton for SPC.

Matthew Hilton is an English industrial designer. His Swan candlesticks were designed in the 1980’s. They were used in a few Deep Space Nine episodes, and in the Voyager episode, “Parturition.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#33

Jamaica Stool designed by Pepe Cortes for Knoll.

Pepe Cortes is a Spanish industrial and interior designer, and founder of the Grupo Abierto de Diseño, a Barcelona-based design group. His Jamaica Stool, designed in 1991, remains his most recognizable work. It was used in Star Trek: First Contact, as furnishing for the Zephram Cochrane’s favorite bar, and in Voyager, in Harry Kim’s San Francisco apartment and Dr. Louis Zimmerman’s lab.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#34

Jamestown Tumbler by Fostoria.

Fostoria was an American glassware company, which reached its peak of popularity in the 1950’s. The Jamestown pattern was produced in a variety of colors. The smoky brown tumblers were used in The Original Series episode, “The Conscience of the King.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#35

Romantica Chair designed by Philippe Starck for Driade.

Philippe Starck is a prolific French architect, vehicular designer, and industrial designer. His curved aluminum Romantica chair was designed for Italian furniture firm, Driade, in 1988. It was used in both Star Trek TNG and Enterprise, each time in alien settings.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#36

Pajala Bistro Set by IKEA.

It’s been my impression that the set designers for The Original Series, The Next Generation, and Voyager typically avoided using IKEA products, possibly because they would be too recognizable to viewers. Deep Space Nine broke this convention, instead opting to use IKEA products often and prominently. I’ve previously made posts featuring the Anima Chairs used in Quark’s Bar and the IKE1 Flatware used in certain crew quarters. The Pajala Bistro set was used for the scenes in Sisko’s Creole Kitchen. If you look closely, you’ll notice the conical candle holders on each of the tables. Those are Skovbo candle holders, also from IKEA.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#37

Cibi Whiskey Glass designed by Cini Boeri for Arnolfo di Cambio.

Cini Boeri was a mid century Italian architect and industrial designer, and one of the first internationally renowned female architects from Italy. Her Cibi glass, for luxury crystalware company, Arnolfo di Cambio, was designed in 1973. While best known for its appearance as Decker’s whiskey glass in Blade Runner, it was also featured in Deep Space Nine, as Sisko’s whiskey glass during his monologue scenes in “In the Pale Moonlight.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#38

Cantilever 290 Chair designed by Steen Ostergaard for Cado.

Steen Ostergaard is a Danish industrial designer, best known for his elegant, space age furniture designs. His 290 Chairs, designed in 1966, were the first ever cantilevered chairs to be injection molded in a single operation. The were used in Star Trek: The Search for Spock, as furnishing for the observation lounge at Earth Spacedock.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#39

Aluminum Measuring Cup by Thunder Group.

Thunder Group is a restaurant supply company, founded in Taiwan in 1956. These aluminum measuring cups were used as the iconic Klingon Bloodwine goblets, in scenes where the set-designer-created Bloodwine Cups were not used. They were used in Star Trek DS9 and Voyager, and are still in production.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#40

LC2 Sofa and Armchairs designed by Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, and Pierre Jeanneret.

This sofa and armchair set is one of the first collaborations that Charlotte Perriand (whose Revolving Armchair was previously featured) had with Le Corbusier’s studio. Designed in 1928, it would famously be featured in Paris’s 1929 Salon d’Automne. This set was used in just one episode of Star Trek: in Harry Kim’s San Francisco apartment in the Voyager episode “Non Sequitur.” I look forward to a future where even forever-ensigns have access to apartments with skyline views and Le Corbusier furniture.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#41

Tulip Chair by Maurice Burke for Arkana.

I featured Maurice Burke’s Tulip Chair as my first ever post on this Instagram. Obviously, due to low engagement at the time, it got very few likes. Burke’s Tulip Chair is arguably the most quintessential chair of Star Trek and I wanted to make another post for it, with better views. Maurice Burke was an American mid century furniture designer whose work was used (and altered) for multiple props in Star Trek TOS. This post features both the Model 115 and Model 116 (the armchair), both designed by Burke and both used in Star Trek.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#42

Bibendum Lounge Chair designed by Eileen Gray for Classicon.

Eileen Gray was an Irish furniture designer and architect, and pioneer of early modernism. Her Bibendum chair, designed in 1929, was used in Star Trek TNG, to furnish certain crew quarters.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#43

MR Cantilever Chair designed by Mies van der Rohe.

Mies van der Rohe was an eminent architect, pioneer of modernism, and the last director of the Bauhaus school. His MR Cantilever chair was designed in 1927 for the Weissenholf development project in Stuttgart, Germany. It was used in Star Trek Voyager to furnish the office of Henry Starling in the episode “Future’s End.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#44

Tubular Stools by Amisco.

Amisco is a Canadian furniture manufacturer, best known to design aficionados for their postmodern chairs from the 1980’s. These tubular bar stools are of that era. They were used in TNG, and are pictured here in the episode, “When the Bough Breaks.”

Image credits: startrekdesign

#45

Shogun Tavolo Lamp designed by Mario Botta for Artemide.

Mario Botta is a Swiss architect and industrial designer, most closely associated with postmodernism. His Shogun Tavolo lamp was designed in 1986 for Artemide, and is a part of the permanent collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC. It was used in the Star Trek TNG episode, “A Matter of Perspective,” as set dressing for one of the bedrooms on the Tanuga IV research station.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#46

Swivel Lounge Chair designed by Milo Baughman for Thayer Coggin.

Milo Baughman was an American furniture designer, best known for his designs for Thayer Coggin. Several of his designs were used in Star Trek TNG. This Swivel Lounge Chair, produced in the 1970s, was used to furnish Kirk’s apartment in The Wrath of Khan.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#47

Elda Chair designed by Joe Colombo.

Joe Colombo was a prolific mid century furniture and lighting designer, best known for his bright Space Age designs. His Elda chair was designed in 1964 and manufactured by Comfort Italy. I’ve already published a post about the Elda chair’s use in Star Trek TOS, but it was also featured, more prominently, in Space 1999.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#48

Oktett Champagne Flutes by Bodum.

Bodum products were used often by Star Trek TNG set designers, the most famous example being Carsten Jorgensen’s Bistro “Picard Cup.” The Oktett champagne flutes were used most prominently in the episode “Haven,” but also appear in background of several shots throughout the series. I believe the flatware pictured is also Bodum.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#49

Octime Clear Glass by Arcoroc.

If you’ve been following this page long enough, you know I’m obsessed with these octagonal Arcoroc glasses. I’ve made posts about their use in TNG and Lower Decks, but they were also used, less prominently, in Battlestar Galactica.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#50

Theory Glasses by Circleware Crystal.

Circleware is a manufacturer and distributor of glassware. Aside from the name, I couldn’t find much info about the glasses or the company. They are still in production and can be easily found online. Drinking glasses from the Theory set were used in Deep Space Nine and Voyager.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#51

Atomic Galaxy by C. Jeré.

Also known a Curtis Jeré, C. Jeré is an American metalworking company, specializing in decorative sculptures and wall hangings. This Atomic Galaxy is the second C. Jeré piece with this name, the first being designed in 1965. This version was produced in 1982, and was used in Star Trek TNG to decorate certain crew quarters. This is now the fourth work by C. Jeré that I’ve featured.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#52

La Cupola Espresso Maker designed by Aldo Rossi for Alessi.

Aldo Rossi was an Italian architect and designer, and one of the leading proponents of postmodernism. His La Cupola espresso maker was designed in 1988 for luxury Italian houseware company, Alessi. It was used in both Star Trek Voyager and Enterprise.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#53

Forever 11 Sculpture by Hivo Van Teal.

Van Teal was a Cuban-American sculptor and lighting designer who gained popularity in the 1970s, when he was selling his sculptures in American department stores as financially and aesthetically accessible art for the middle class. His fame is partially derived from his “American Dream” story of being a Cuban immigrant whose bourgeois family opposed the Cuban revolution and emigrated to the US, where he held working class jobs until became established as a successful artist and lighting designer. One can’t help but wonder how Van Teal may have felt about his work being used in Star Trek: The Next Generation, a tv show about a post-capitalist multicultural spacefaring society.

Image credits: startrekdesign

#54

Sugar Bowl designed by Carsten Jörgensen for Bodum.