bathroom items

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)

Father's Day is fast approaching, so here at Indie Art & Design, we've been assembling a selection of great gift ideas for September 2nd (next Sunday). I know at least three lucky dads who will receive some of the following pressies!

Deshabillé is an Australian luxury lounge & sleepwear label which offers casual clothing perfectly suited to unwinding at home - fashionable yet practical garments in which to relax, retire for the night, or even pop out to the shops. A concept perfectly suited to Father's Day, don't you think?

Pictured above is the mens Summer Tee - perfect to be worn with the Summer Stripe Pant (above left) or maybe the Husk Pant (above right), perhaps even for an afternoon snooze in the sun this Sunday. The Summer Tee is a slim fit, 100% cotton jersey with a soft vintage wash and comes in Aqua, Warm Grey or White (AUD $29.90). The Summer Stripe Pant is available in Warm Grey (pictured) or Aqua stripes for AUD $49.90. The Husk Pant is available in Warm Grey or Green and is currently on special - reduced from AUD $49.90 to just $25.00!

The Whitewash Pant (below left) is a new addition to the Deshabillé range for this summer (which is nearly here, judging by today's warm weather - in Sydney at least). This 100% cotton 'whitewash' printed mens pyjama pant has front pockets, elastic waist & drawstring. Available in two colours - White (as pictured) and Deep Sea, AUD $49.95. All of these, plus many more styles are available (WITH complimentary Father's Day gift wrapping) from the Deshabillé online store at www.deshabille.com.au or from stockists throughout NSW, VIC, QLD and WA.

This stylish handmade leather bag is the "te. fold" from te., a label that began while designer Jarren Borghero was living in Japan. "Te" is Japanese for "hand", signifying that all te. products are hand made from start to finish. The designer sketched the idea, cut the pattern, sourced the materials and contructed the product. In other words, he poured his heart into its creation so that you too will fall in love with it!

Featuring quality craftsmanship, vegetable tanned leathers, hand stitching and a range of colours combining rich browns with contrasting aqua, blue or green, the te. fold would make a unique gift. Something your dad would keep for years to come... It measures 19 x 20cm and comes with three large pouches and a pocket and adjustable leather straps. The te. fold is available from www.temono.com.au for AUD $165 and you can also find it at www.georgielove.com.

Is your dad a purveyor of all things cool? If he's hip to the jive or just needs a few fashion tips, he might find some clues in "Cool Hunting" by Australian photographer and net junkie, Dave Evans. The book was published last year by South Australia's East Street Publications and features an irreverent, ironic and eclectic mix of products designed in every corner of the globe.

Cool Hunting takes trend watching from the virtual world and places it carefully on your coffee table, along with a plate of URLs and chocolate biscuits. (Chocolate biscuits not included.) It retails for AUD $24.95 & I spotted a copy at Better Read Than Dead in Newtown the other day...

These washer bags are from the Mister Uchi range. They are made from PVC coated nylon and would make ideal gifts for dads who like style & simplicity. Pictured above is the Carry All bag which measures 24cm x 12cm x 12cm, and sells for AUD $36.95. The versatile Hanger Bag (below left) features an internal metal hook to allow it to hang while open. It measures 28cm x 8cm x 8cm and sells for AUD $54.95. (Prices are quoted from the Rushfaster online store.)

The Uchi label was launched in 2001 with the intent of providing travel and bath bags that are both functional and beautiful. The popular Uchi product range is now sold thoughout Australia as well as internationally. You can see more of the range at the Uchi web site at www.uchi.com.au - you can also email them for a list of stockists (which includes Pentimento in Newtown, Sydney).

If your Dad already has everything he could ever need, why not give him something for his best friend? Dogue, House of Canine Couture has a great collection of canine accessories to totally spoil your pooch. Pictured above is the luxurious Ruby range of leather collars. These top quality collars are handstitched and come in four sizes, ranging in price from AUD $80 (S) to $140 (XL).

For something more colourful, the Stanley range features striped leather collars to suit any shade of coat or personality. Five sizes are available ranging from 35cm (AUD $31.50) through to 60cm ($48.50). These Dogue collars, as well as matching leads and everything else your dog could desire are available from the Dogue online store at www.dogue.com.au.