Design stops for neither cold nor flu, with a plethora of new releases and events for this winter.
HOME AGAIN FOR WINTER
After the success of the inaugural winter workshops at Cranmore Home last year, it's no surprise Tracy Lefroy is bringing them back for round two. The fun-filled day of interactive workshops is conducted by some of WA's most talented artisans, the bill including interior specialist Kim Pearson, floral master Debra Hayes, Spencer + Marie-Clare, Tanya Cain-Abbs, Rebecca Fogarty and Scott Bridger. Attendees get to pick from one of seven workshops, where they'll learn anything from home styling and how to design floral pieces, to making timber swings and shibori tablecloths. There's even a cooking masterclass hosted by Olympian-turned-restaurant owner Eamon Sullivan. And if that's not enough to entice you,a delicious lunch is also provided, all in the natural surrounds of Tracy's Moora farm.
Cranmore Home Winter Workshops, August 1, cranmorehome.com.au.
Normann Copenhagen's Form chair collection, available at District.
NORMANN CONQUEST
We're suckers for curves, so when we heard District had become the exclusive nationwide supplier for smooth, luxurious furniture brand Normann Copenhagen, we couldn't help but get a little excited. The Danish design company is a champion of innovative and timeless design, creating versatile pieces for the home and office. Its latest collections, Form and Era, which were exhibited at last year's Milan Design Fair, are now available at District's Perth and Melbourne showrooms. District (08) 9388 1855, district.com.au.
The Platner collection by Knoll is available at Contempo.
BRAND NEWS
Two of the world's biggest furniture brands – Minotti and Knoll – are now available in Perth through Contempo. Knoll is responsible for some of the most recognised furniture pieces in the world, delivering iconic designs that have stood the test of time. For more than 75 years, the company has remained true to Bauhaus design philosophy, in that modern furniture should complement architectural space, not compete with it. Minotti follows a similar approach with its products, which are considered 'classic today, classic tomorrow' thanks to their form, fabrics used, colours, and technical and aesthetic solutions employed.
See both collections in the Contempo showroom. Contempo (08) 9446 9244, contempocollection.com.au.
THE WRITING'S ON THE WALL
Bookworms rejoice! You can now cover your walls with novels, thanks to Italian-based artist and designer Ekaterina Panikanova. Russian-born Ekaterina is the
mastermind behind Biblioteca, a collection of wallpaper designs featuring the pages of old books brought to life by the artist's drawings and paintings.
"I like working on old books: I like the way they wear and tear," Ekaterina says. "Underlinings, notes and scribblings enable me to perceive the personalities of
the people who have read them. Each book has a history, it is the story of its reader. The collection is a research that speaks of private memory consisting of free associations. It is a projec that brings my work within the home, within the family where everything started."
Get the wallpaper at Scandinavian Wallpaper and Decor (08) 9444 2717, wallpaperdecor.com.au.
A GOOD DROP
Kudos goes to Spanish lighting design company Vibia, which recently won Best Light Fitting at the Elle Decoration International Design Awards for its WIREFLOW light, designed by Arik Levy. The suspension luminaire series merges highly engineered LED technology with a carefully designed drop pendant system that suits a range of spaces. The hanging lamps are linear in appearance, a structure of fine cables that create a futuristic dimension from near and far.
"WIREFLOW has been on our radar sinceits release at Frankfurt Light Fair in 2014," says Gillian Campbell of Perth's HALO Lighting, which stocks the award-winning light. "If you haven't seen this versatile modular system with infinite customisable variations then look out! We couldn't suggest a more worthy winner of such an award."
For more details, contact HALO Lighting (08) 9221 5544, halolighting.com.au.
ROYAL DYNASTY
The world's most-renowned ceramics-turnedhomewares company, Royal Doulton, is turning the ripe-old age of 200. To celebrate, it has collaborated with Legend Australia to present a range of bed linen encapsulating London style. There are six distinct designs within the collection, which draw inspiration from folk drawings in children's books, classic herringbone, and even elements of the Pop Art movement. Our favourite: the Tate Navy (pictured). The set of linen is a combination of eye-popping, multi-coloured print and neutral shades.
Stockists (02) 9938 2333, royaldoulton.com.au.
STANDARD BEARERS
Stylecraft is now home to Karimoku New Standard, a collection of innovative, functional furniture and objects. In the past, the brand has collaborated with international talent such as Scholten & Baijings, Big-Game and Sylvian Willenz. Underlying every design is a deep understanding of craftsmanship, which you can see in each and every item, made from solid Japanese hardwoods such as maple, chestnut and oak.
Stylecraft (08) 9466 4066, stylecraft.com.au.
ART ON FIRE
We love the work master artisans Allen and Jeannie Burchardt create through
their studio, Tavoli Designs. Famous for exquisitely crafted fire pits, water features, sculptures and glass art, the couple have combined their skills to produce this incredible outdoor fire pit made of copper and kiln-formed glass.
For more information and commissions, head to tavolidesigns.com.au.
INTERIOR FIT FOR QUEENS
QIII at Queens Riverside in East Perth is an apartment building that boasts a luxurious residential lounge, designed by Perth-based interior design company ViViDesign.
"Our aim was to design a communal space that is extremely versatile while offering a homey atmosphere," says interior designer Vivien Hegedus. "Too often, residential lounges are 'dead spaces' in apartment buildings, due to the lack of
specific functions and styles. ViViDesign wanted to create a space for daily use, an environment that offers more than just sitting areas."
The result is a communal living area, featuring a number of differing spaces integrated into one open-plan layout.
"We grouped four sofas together, all upholstered in different bright-coloured Instyle fabrics, creating an inviting lounge area that can host a large number of people without losing intimacy," Vivien explains. "By including a small kitchenette that also offers a working station for computers and a desk area, we expanded the ways residents can utilise the room. The large table surrounded by beautiful BoConcept felt chairs is the perfect solution for both business meetings and birthday parties."
Concrete mural wallpaper by Scandinavian Wallpaper and Decor was used as a backdrop, enlarging the otherwise small room and showcasing the beautiful clean lines and textures of the carefully selected furniture pieces. Glossy white finishes for the cabinets added a hint of simplicity to tone down the bold colours present in the room.
Queens Riverside, Adelaide Terrace, East Perth; ViViDesign 04031 791 978, vividesign.com.au.
SPEND WINTER IN VIENNA
Keep cosy and warm this winter with Bambury's latest collection of bedding. There's everything from relaxing, subtle tones to colourful and floral spreads, but
what's really caught our eye is the brand's Vienna printed quilt-cover set(above). Featuring dreamy greys and blues, the cover appears like a giant canvas, covered in merging watercolours. The covers start from $134.95 for queen-sized, and $24.95 for matching European pillowcases.
Bambury 1300 766 762, bambury.com.au.
CREATURE COMFORTS
Ultimo Interiors is the first showroom in WA to display international company
Ceccotti Collezioni's anthropomorphic furniture. Ceccotti was founded in 1956
in Italy by Franco Ceccotti and architect Roberto Lazzeroni, who, influenced by the eclectic and surrealistic world of Gaudi, Mollino and Scandinavian designs of
the 1950s, developed objects of organic sinuosity. The subsequent furniture is
reflective of anthromorphic shapes, where soft curves connect with slipping profiles.
Ultimo Interiors (08) 9201 2479, ultimointeriors.com.au.
ANJA dining table, glass top with walnut and chrome leg design, pictured with Beth dining chair.
THE TIME OF NICK
Family-owned business-turned-furniture superstore Nick Scali has made its way to the west, opening three stores in Osborne Park, Joondalup and O'Connor.
Nicky Scali, chief information officer and son of the company's founder, says the brand is all about offering stylish, contemporary design, but at great value.
"We are all about accessibility – we want people to have access to current, fashionable designs, but at an affordable price," Nicky says. "For too long, we think, the market has been starved of choice. Our stores and their stylish new showrooms will give people a great furnitureshopping experience and a better feel for the furniture that's right for their home."
Since their inception, Nick Scali stores have been established in every capital city, and many regional centres across the country. Nicky says Perth has been on their radar for the past 10 years, but it wasn't until recently that the company was able to make the move west.
"For some time we've been looking at establishing a presence here, however we had to wait for the right locations."
Nicky's father founded the company in the 50s, after the family moved to Melbourne from Italy. "He then relocated the family to Sydney in 1962," explains Nicky. "In those days, when you relocate, you don't keep a business interstate because you can't travel back and forth, so he re-established the business in Sydney."
Since then, the company has opened more than 40 stores across Australia, each featuring the best in furniture design, and a plethora of choices.
So what can we expect to see in our Perth stores at the moment?
"Definitely a lot of raw finishes, with more of a rustic look," says Nicky. "There are also concrete tops, which are growing in popularity. As far as fabrics and leathers are concerned, on trend at the moment are the earthy colours – the browns, the
whites, the beiges."
Nick Scali Joondalup (08) 9209 4752; Nick Scali O'Connor (08) 9209 4751; Nick Scali Osborne Park (08) 9209 4753, nickscali.com.au.
UNCHARTED TERRITORY
WORDS Hannah Lawrance
Perth-based artist Sioux Tempestt has announced the opening of an innovative hub for all things creative – unchARTed Collective. Upon entering the store, you
will find artisan creations such as handcrafted ceramics, abstract art, homewares, body products, fashion, jewellery and everything else in between. Sioux says it's the designers and their products that make the collective truly unique. "Our stellar range of products, displayed in a contemporary yet casual atmosphere, gives visitors the opportunity to experience something special. I wanted to connect with and share a creative environment with other Australian artists while offering the opportunity for their work to be viewed and purchased by the public." Find pieces by Aussie artists and designers such as Jessica Jubb, Martyn Hester and Matty Costello in this treasure trove.
UnchARTed Collective, 745 Beaufort Street, Mount Lawley (08) 6102 6346, unchartedcollective.com.au.
JAPANESE AESTHETIC
Ishinomaki Laboratory, Takumi Kohgei, Miyazaki Chair Factory Co, and Ieno Textile all hail from Japan, a country renowned for flawless, efficient design. The prevalent materials across all four brands are sustainably sourced, quality timbers, weaved kimono fabrics and oiled leathers, chosen for their intricate characteristics and then made into contemporary furniture pieces that embody a stripped-back aesthetic. Durable, and with a modern simplicity, the four furniture brands are now new editions to designFarm's Hay Street showroom.
designFarm (08) 9322 2200, designfarm.com.au.
DASH FOR DOTS
Add a pop of colour to your home with a Shag Dot Mat by Chilewich. Coming in citron, green, orange and white, the shag mats can be used indoors or out, are quick to dry, and are mould-, mildew- and chlorine-resistant. If circles don't hit the spot for you, opt for one of the rectangular, striped versions (right).
Buy from Table Culture (08) 9380 6233, tableculture.com.au; or various other local
stockists. For the full list, head to chilewich.com.