Good grains
The Sunday Age
Sunday March 27, 2011
Timber products stand the test of time and design. Wood has remained the most enduring choice in furniture material for millennia. Be it gnarled and knobbly, or smooth and sculptural, wood speaks of solidity, strength and craftsmanship. As home fashions come and go, wood is a constant, with a style and species to match the times. Naturally, geography has played a large part in determining the woodwork of the day, as seen by the Shaker's love of cherry and maple, and the English admiration for oak.Right now, with the emphasis on recycling and sustainability, wooden furniture often proudly bears the hallmarks of its former use, such as tables made from former piers and woolsheds. If you want to make an informed, environmentally responsible decision when buying new timber and wood products, look at Greenpeace's Good Wood Guide at goodwoodguide.org.au.A product that makes exquisite use of wood's natural grain is the Bellevue cutting board by German design duo Olze & Wilkens. Each acacia wood board has a laser engraved motif carefully placed to match the swirling grain of the timber, an effect that creates an engaging scene. There are surfers riding waves, golfers on the fairway, divers, skiers and fishermen - and, dare I say it - no wooden performances whatsoever.Turned timber bowl, tiny low, $95 from Mark TuckeyAlec salad servers, $21.95, from Mint Home Bellevue chopping board, large, $59 from Design For UseVintage French shoe lasts, $70 per pair from Ex LibrisEggcup pine stool, $550 from Mark TuckeyTivoli Audio Model One radio in walnut, $299 from Audio Dynamics Antique stool, $150 from Maison EstSTOCKISTSAudio Dynamics 9882 0372,tivoliaudio.com.auCountry Road 1800 801 911, countryroad.com.auDesign Dispensary 9670 7221, designdispensary.com.auDesign For Use 9602 2632, www.designforuse.com.au Ex Libris 9509 0900Great Dane Furniture 9510 6111, greatdanefurniture.comMaison Est 9500 8287, www.maisonest.com.auMark Tuckey 9419 3418, marktuckey.com.auMint Home 1300 209 001, minthome.com.au Vincent 2 9585 0130, vincent2.com.auBOOKSHELF Warehouse shelf unit in ply, $2150 from Mark Tuckey. ON TOP Marbella vase, $149 from Country Road. TOP BOXES Tivoli Audio Model One radio in walnut, $299 from Audio Dynamics. Music orb in beech, $190 from Great Dane Furniture. SECOND FROM TOP BOXES Books, stylist's own. Vintage French shoe lasts, $70 per pair from Ex Libris. MIDDLE BOXES Curved oak wine rack, $86 from Ex Libris. SECOND FROM FLOOR BOXES Harry wooden platters, small $39.95, medium $49.95, large $59.95 from Mint Home. Nordic Light seven-arm candleholder in grey, $199 from vincent 2. FLOOR, FROM LEFT Eggcup pine stool, $550 from Mark Tuckey. Birdcage table lamp, $350 from Design Dispensary. Reclaimed timber coffee table, $380 from Maison Est. ON COFFEE TABLE Marbella vase as previous. Turned timber bowl, tiny low, $95 from Mark Tuckey. Wine hurricane light with solid oak base and green glass, $79 from Design For Use. Tara tray, $119, and Alec salad servers, $21.95 from Mint Home. Series GE 290 Plank chair in oak with pink upholstery, $3450 from Great Dane Furniture. Tripod stool, $390 from Maison Est. ON STOOL Bellevue chopping board, large, $59 from Design For Use. Birdcage pendant lamp, $440 from Design Dispensary.
© 2011 The Sunday Age
