The Avocado Vase and Acorn Vase by ILEX STUDIO bring nature into our interiors. Each vase is designed to grow young oaks and avocado trees in an ecological, playful, and simple way. Its shape prevents water evaporation and highlights the roots, offering a fascinating display.
What is your solution?
- The Avocado and Acorn vases are specially designed to promote the healthy growth of a young tree in the simplest, most effective, and sustainable way: an avocado tree or an oak. The narrow opening of the vase prevents air from entering, creating optimal water conditions for the seed. The water stays clear for a long time and rarely needs to be changed; simply top it up to just below the seed to maintain the best conditions inside the vase. The base of the vase provides enough space for roots to grow freely for up to a year. During this period, the tree develops strong and healthy roots before being planted in the ground, by which time it is mature enough to thrive. The transparent glass creates a natural magnifying effect, allowing you to observe the roots and follow every stage of growth. Watching the tree grow becomes a calming and meditative experience, bringing beauty, nature, and serenity to your daily life. With this, the experience of contemplation and PAUSE is guaranteed. After a year, the plant reaches a critical size with sufficiently large roots, allowing it to survive in a pot, as an indoor plant, or even outdoors!
What needs have you identified among your potential customers and are you trying to meet?
- ILEX STUDIO vases are aesthetically beautiful, but not only that. Too often, plant enthusiasts have tried to grow an avocado tree at home using the famous toothpick method. The enthusiasm is there at first: the seed opens, the first roots appear… but often, the plant withers after a few weeks—a frustrating and disappointing experience. ILEX STUDIO vases change that story. They allow roots to fully develop for nearly a year in optimal conditions. The plant gains strength, reaches a critical size, and develops a robust root system that can then be successfully planted in soil. This extended duration also provides real convenience: the possibility to go on vacation without worrying about losing the plant, and above all, the pleasure of enjoying the germination experience for longer. A design object, a revisited natural method—for guaranteed success and an endlessly repeatable experience.
How big do you estimate your market to be?
- Significant, between 100,000 – 500,000 units globally.
What is your recommended retail price?
- The vases are primarily affordable and reusable. They sell between 33 euros and 37 euros for the small ACORN VASE, and between 49 euros and 55 euros for the large AVOCADO vase.
What are your competitive advantages (USP: Unique Selling Proposition)?
- ILEX STUDIO creations are now sold worldwide and featured in major museum shops—MoMA, RMN, Guggenheim, Fondation Beyeler, Vitra, among others. This international recognition has allowed us to assert our reputation for demanding design, combining formal perfection with simplicity of use. The ILEX STUDIO brand is now clearly identifiable to consumers. It offers accessible design objects that are useful, aesthetic, and reusable. Bringing nature into the home, the vases provide a complete DIY proposition (very trendy) and a culturally enriching experience with an included booklet, offering general knowledge about avocado and oak through artistic and historical references. The meditative experience is also highly appreciated while observing the tree and its roots grow. Each creation embodies a contemporary vision: revisiting and enhancing a traditional method—germinating green plants—through a modern, durable, and elegant object.
What is your stage of development:
- Nous souhaitons étendre la commercialisation à de nouvelles régions
Define in one sentence the value you bring to your customers or users (max 15 words - this sentence can be used in communication tools)
- “A day without seeing a tree is a day wasted,” as Agnès Varda so aptly said.
Link to a product video
- https://youtube.com/shorts/9HYjM1uP3yw?si=H3Zk6D2TZUVF6mB5
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