furniture

The interior installation above is currently on show at Planet in Surry Hills. Local favourite Publisher Textiles collaborated with ceramic artist Kris Coad, Home Beautiful Magazine and Planet to create this celebration of delicate imagery, forms & textures, which is on display throughout September.

Publisher Textiles specialises in printing bespoke, environmentally friendly textiles and wallpapers, using natural fabric fibres and recycled materials for their non-woven wallpaper base. In their Leichhardt studio, they hand-print products with unique designs & patterns using a custom water based ink that is equally durable and light-fast.

The pop up installation features Publisher Textiles' signature 'Swan Print' wallpaper and a handful of specially selected, exclusive hand-printed feather cushions from the award winning Dusk products range. (Both can be purchased from Planet throughout the month.)

I love the sense of weightlessness created by the themes of floating & flight. The leaf shadows move midair between the swans, and the leaves are so fine & translucent that they could almost be feathers themselves.

Kris Coad's bone china 'floating leaves' is so beautiful. Since each leaf is suspended at a slightly different angle, the light bounces off in different directions creating a lovely tonal range.

Kris has been a practicing ceramicist for over 20 years, currently works full time in her studio, based at the GASWORKS Arts Park in Melbourne. She describes her work as follows:
"I am interested in the spiritual and daily ritual of different cultures, the way an object, symbol, mark or shadow and its placement can trigger a transformational response. To interpret the anthropological sentiment behind beliefs, I make contemplative pieces that have a stillness and silence in an increasingly complex world."

To view the installation or purchase the homewares on display, visit Planet at 114 Commonwealth Street, Surry Hills, NSW, phone 02 9211 5959.

Showroom hours:
Monday-Friday 10.00am - 5.30pm
Saturday 10.00am - 5.00pm
Sunday 12.00pm - 4.00pm

Butterfly Coat Rack in red, AUD $129 by UTE Australia (Also available in black & white.)

UTE Australia is based in Melbourne, and as the name suggests, they focus on utilitarian application & simple functionality. Product designer Kain Lucas and marketing executive Graham Smith teamed up to launch the label in 2007, developing products with timeless appeal - innovative designs made from carefully chosen materials such as bamboo & reclaimed timber. The UTE range of homewares feature geometric shapes, clean lines and design features such as contrasting timber grains (highlighted in the Profile Bathmat pictured further down the post).

Blending the old with the new, the UTE Australia Butterfly Coat Rack (pictured above) offers a stylish solution for tight spaces! The traditional bentwood styled coat rack head has been rendered using modern manufacturing techniques, and is available in super sleek white, black or red.

Bowlboard, AUD $59.95 by UTE Australia

UTE's Bowlboard was an obvious favourite at Platform (at LIFE inSTYLE). The four food prep bowls inlaid flush to the surface of the board are a clever addition to the mould resistant Carbonised bamboo chopping board, and I love the shape of the board itself.

Link Placemats (AUD $39.95 set) & Coasters by UTE Australia

The Link Placemat & Coasters (pictured above) are ideal for both indoor and outdoor entertaining. The designs are cut from polyethylene - chosen for its strength, durablity and non absorbant properties, as well as its sleek look & curious texture.

Profile Bathmat, AUD $99 by UTE Australia

The Profile Bathmat (pictured above) is a design which celebrates its materials. The frame is made from a marine grade Cedar plywood, scalloped at each end to fit the Tasmanian Oak slats. The exposed end grain and natural oiled finish really make the most of these timbers.

The design of UTE's Universal Knife Block (pictured below) enhances its material in a similar way. The parallel vertical lines resemble the grain of the Carbonised Bamboo. They also accommodate knives of all shapes and sizes, making the Universal Knife Block more flexible than other models.

Universal Knife Block, AUD $69.95 by UTE Australia

Selected UTE Australia products are available from the following stockists and all products can also be ordered online from www.ute.net.au. (Check UTE's STOCKISTS page to find out who stocks what!)

NSW: Top 3 by Design (Bondi Junction, Crows Nest)
VIC: MAKE Designed Objects (Carlton, Melbourne), RG Madden (Richmond, Carlton, Melbourne, South Melbourne), Bed Bath n Table The Works (Hawthorn), Ludo's (Toorak), House Brighton (Brighton), Kitch 'n' Stuff (Richmond, Frankston), The Bathroom Store (Moorabbin), Safari Living (Prahan East), Kleen Design (Fitzroy), Blend Design (Collingwood), Kif and Katast (Prahran, Clifton Hill), SAS Design & Concepts (Geelong), Azeno (Ballarat)

WA: Cut It Out (Perth)
QLD: Gibsons Homewares (Noosaville, QLD), Kitchenware Plus (Loganholme), Lime Homewares (Cairns), Zabu (Cairns)
TAS: Luxe (Hobart), Homebody (Launceston)

The Danks Street Festival is being held in Waterloo (Sydney) this Sunday (26.10.2008) and over 80 designers' stalls will inhabit the warehouse of the pyd building. With over 30 000 visitors expected, it will certainly offer great exposure for both emerging and established Australian labels, including those whose products are pictured here: Eliza Mok, Millicent and Frank, Forbidden Linen, Klei and Zaishu. The Danks Street / Young Street area has fast become one of Sydney's well known & dynamic creative precincts and pyd is a unique destination presenting the best in interior design. The building actually takes its name from the bordering streets: Phillip, Young and Danks.

The delicate creations pictured above are part of the 'Shan Shan' collection brooches (left, US $35) and bowls (right, US $55) hand cast silicone rubber by Eliza Mok. 'Shan' represents coral in Chinese, and she uses the different stages of the coral life cycle as a metaphor to represent her past experiences through jewellery and object design.

The timber "Alphabet" by Millicent and Frank is pictured above. This Australian label creates a variety wall hangings, objects and centerpieces. Many feature clean crisp lines and geometric shapes, and of course, the gorgeous curves of serif typefaces.

Forbidden Linen is an unusual collection of "textile titillation". Sydney designer Louise Murphy has joined forces with London based artist 'UnCut', to create a seductive selection of erotically inspired textiles. The image above features a twin handkerchief set (US, $50) - women's kerchiefs are finished with lace while men's are sewn with metallic coloured cotton.

We first posted about Klei back in March 2007, and they keep producing more & more original ceramic creations. With a gorgeous muted palette and organic shapes & textures, each piece is one of a kind... Pictured here are the Pebble Necklace and "two faced" Rivet Rings. View many more designs at Klei's blog.

Well known and admired by many is Zaishu, "a hip combination of style and substance". Using certified sustainable materials, innovative ideas and a collaborative design approach the Zaishu is a versatile slot-together seat and/or table that serves equally as art. I really love the hand-printed artwork in the Australian Bushland design pictured above (AUD $350).

Accessories by Two Ladies + 1 Bird, who are exhibiting at the Wonderkind Bazaar at RMIT 8.10.2008 (sponsored by indie art & design).

As the Wonderkind Bazaar is nearly upon us, we'd like to share with you some of the thoughts & motivations of three of the stallholders - Two Ladies + 1 Bird, Reece A. Duncan and Julia Pattenden. Hope you enjoy these mini-interviews & there's more to come very soon... (P.S. Isn't the X-Ray lamp brilliant?!)

Two Ladies + 1 Bird

I 1. What motivated you to take part in the Wonderkind Bazaar?

2L+1B The opportunity to share our designs with the public and our passion for radical & funky styles. Also to know that there are people who would appreciate it out there.

I 2. Describe your process & products for us!

2L+1B We use plastic beads and heat them to make accessories. We mainly do necklaces and pins/brooches. Custom-made designs are also available to order.
P/S: Products are made with love!

I 3. What are you most looking forward to at the Bazaar?

2L+1B SALES!
(But also to help make the Wonderkind Bazaar a success!)

I Also make sure to check out the Two Ladies + 1 Bird Blog for heaps more fantastic plastic designs!

Lamp by Reece A. Duncan, who is exhibiting at the Wonderkind Bazaar at RMIT 8.10.2008 (sponsored by indie art & design).

Reece A. Duncan

I 1. What motivated you to take part in the Wonderkind Bazaar?

RAD The Wonderkind Bazaar is exactly the kind of DIYFS (Do it your fucking self) industriousness that everyone needs to get behind. These days trends are so homogenized. Wonderkind is a cure for unimaginative purchasing. Wonderkind could be huge if RMIT and the wider community of Melbourne take it into their hearts. And well they should. Even traditional places like the Vic Market started as a few farmers with stalls. I love Melbourne and our street culture so much that this was too good not to get behind.

I 2. Describe your process & products for us!

RAD I like products with something to say. Not always good things, but something at least. Most of my products come with stories. The "Corporate Punishment" shirts clearly tell a story. The X-Ray lamps come with a story too. Same goes for the randmfoto coasters and a lot of the other stuff that I'll have for people to peruse and purchase.

I 3. What are you most looking forward to at the Bazaar?

RAD I'm looking forward to the communal spirit, really. People admiring and checking out each others' handy works. Buying things that speak to them, laughing at things that tickle their humour. Enjoying the experience. I know everyone will want to see what the stallholders will be bringing to the table for themselves.

Handmade softie by Julia Pattenden, who is exhibiting at the Wonderkind Bazaar at RMIT 8.10.2008 (sponsored by indie art & design).

Julia Pattenden

I 1. What motivated you to take part in the Wonderkind Bazaar?

JP My bestest friend sent me a cheeky email on the day that the Wonderkind Bazaar form was due in. With it she had attached the form and the guideline and requirements. The email read:

"Hey Jules,
Thought you may be interested in setting up a stall with your badges and cutie stuff?
Charlotte xx"

Intrigued, I had a look at the 'guidelines and requirements' document and read about the Wonderkind Bazaar. I love markets, I love people and I love arts and crafts. This all seemed too fun to miss!

I 2. Describe your process & products for us!

JP I love little creatures. This led me to drawing them and stylizing them. I also have a habit of buying pretty floral fabrics and colorful buttons. Put these things together and you've got yourself a little soft toy badge, or as I like to call them, 'Your New Friend'.

I 3. What are you most looking forward to at the Bazaar?

JP Seeing other people’s beautiful creations and chatting with lovely people. It is also a great opportunity to showcase my work and get some feedback on it and possibly suggestions for future pieces.

Bridget Bodenham, Crackers, 2008, unglazed, sculpted, cut and pierced high fired stoneware clay.

The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition 2008 showcases some of Australia's most exciting, outward-looking and globally focussed
design. Recognised as the most prestigious award in Australian design, the show opens tomorrow at Object Gallery in Surry Hills (Sydney) and continues until 2.11.2008. There are 10 finalists, and we're giving you a sneak peak of just four of the works here - I don't want to spoil the surprise for those of you who can make it in person! (Each designer is represented by their Award entry as well as other designs from their broader body of work.)

Pictured above is "Nutcrackers" by Bridget Bodenham. These forms are directly influenced by the movement of grinding, cracking and crushing. They refer to the prehistoric or early food gathering cultures where food preparation was a physical act deeply connected to the environment and fundamental to the wellbeing of society. Bridget developed the forms through an intuitive play approach to weight, shape & surface texture. I particularly love the warm, muted earth colours and surface design!

John Hoogendoorn, Aurora Lamp, 2008, opal acrylic.

John Hoogendoorn's "Aurora Lamp" (pictured above) explores ideas in strengthening the emotional bond between objects and the user. It is made from acrylic layers representing the letter 'J'. Each part is twisted in relation to its neighbour to allow a complex 3D form to materialize from simple two dimensional components.

Trent Jansen, Kissing Pendants, 2008, pressed aluminium, CAD drawing.

The design of Trent Jansen's "Kissing Pendants" (above) is so simple - and brilliant! I would love to have these guys illuminating my personal space. The Kissing Pendants were designed as a sustainable piece of lighting, aiming to be involved in a lasting personal relationship with their owner, fostered by the human characteristics that this piece possesses. The pendants are an expression of the intimacy that exists between two people when they kiss. When the lights are off, the two shades hand separately, side by side, but when pushed together are held by a magnetic attraction. A magnetic reed switch then turns the lights on simultaneously.

Christina Waterson, Plexa Module, 2007, stainless steel.

"Plexa#1" (above) is Christina Waterson's series of interlocking modules that allow the individual to experiment, reinvent and personalise their surroundings. As modules are interlocked, the natural geometries that stem from material properties create elusive forms and surfaces. Plexa#1 is designed to use the otherwise useless strips leftover from industrial sheet processes and cutting.

If you live in Sydney, do get along - admission & inspiration are free! The Bombay Sapphire Design Discovery Award Exhibition 2008 is on at Object Gallery from 6.9.2008 to 2.11.2008. (St Margarets 417 Bourke Street, Surry Hills NSW 2010. T. 02 9361 4511)

We had a wonderful time in Melbourne, and somewhere between hijinks with Fritz Herbert the daschund puppy and $4 pizzas at Bimbo Deluxe, we found time for some shopping! Among my favourite finds were these impressive lightshades by designer Alex Earl. Both the "Lionfish Lightshade" (pictured above) and the "Butterfly Lightshade" (pictured below) are currently in the window of Wilkins & Kent, 230 Brunswick St, Fitzroy. The Butterfly Lightshade retails for AUD $275, while the Lionfish Lightshade is available in two sizes - small for AUD $185, large for AUD $285. To view more of Alex's work, visit his web site at www.alexearl.com.au.

So clever! I love the concept of this table & chair set which is also an ideal size for small apartments & tiny terraces like mine. With a hollow lattice construction, they are strong yet light & are finished with a feature veneer in American Walnut. The Australian designer Michael Hill has sinced moved into the corporate design world & only a couple of these gems are still available. You'll find them a couple of hours south of Sydney, at Berry gallery Flying Pig Precinct. The table retails for AUD $1250 and the chairs AUD $375 each.