While there was a strong leaning towards retro influenced design at Decoration + Design which also incorporates Furnitex, there was a wide choice of styles from blocky organic pieces to the modern.

Here is a selection of pieces we thought were representative of the best at the fair.

 

The table above is called Paris Timber Table which is matched here with Wedge Chairs both from Tubeworks Furniture.

The salient features of the table are the design of the base, which is quiet different to the average.

The table top is a Melamine, the veneer colour is Sassafras. The simplicity and size of the top is what makes it stand out. I’m told that later in the year it will also be available in a Timber Veneer.

The base sections are also available on their own so they can mount any desired table top ... clever.

The legs of the Wedge Chair are Brushed Stainless Steel in a diamond shape, which apparently is very difficult to produce, but it adds to the shape of the whole chair, which is as the name suggests, wedge or triangular shaped.

The seat is covered in a PU material, and is available in Black, Grey, White and Chocolate.

All the items are currently in stock from Tubeworks Furniture.

Contact Peter on peter@tubeworksfurniture.com.au or visit the website to see more, www.tubeworksfurniture.com.au

 

Villa Inde launched its Stockholm collection at the fair. Modern and minimalist, it’s made from Sheesham (an Indian Rosewood) and is inspired by Scandinavian design.

To my eye it’s a very clean yet homely look that would fit well with a range of decors.

The collection was designed by Marcus Wolff and is distributed in Australia by Indea Spece Designs Pty Ltd.

For further information and enquiries contact Hermang on villa@villainde.com.au or visit the website, www.villainde.com.au

 

The Luna chair was an instant classic when produced in 1970 by acclaimed Norwegian designer Odd Knutsen.

IMG has the exclusive rights to manufacture and distribute Knutsen’s groundbreaking design worldwide.

Underlying the Luna Chair’s unobtrusive design is a level of comfort rarely obtained by even the most expensive chairs.

This you must experience first-hand to believe. Very hard to get up again once sat down!

For further information contact sam@imgcomfort.com or visit the company’s website, www.imgcomfort.com

 

 

The above pieces are from Megaria.

The two cabinets are from the Industrial Iron collection, made using recycled elm and with iron handles.

The brightly coloured chairs are from the Oak Collection and are available in white, black, green, red, white and blue.

They’re seen here with the Provincial Natural Rustic Table from the Farmhouse Collection and are available in three sizes; 184cm, 240cm and 290cm in length.

Directly above is the Bordeaux Oak table which is teamed with wonderfully comfortable and cocooning Hennesy Chairs covered with flaxen fabric and featuring a buttoned back and brass coloured studs.

The chairs are beautifully finished. For further information contact Henry Jo at Megaria on 02 9896 2323 or email henry@megaria.com.au Or visit the website, www.megaria.com.au

 

 

The woven chairs above from Retro and Modern come in ten great colours.

Made from Aluminium and eco friendly synthetic wicker, they’re suitable for outdoor use.

The outdoor chairs in our centre image are also outdoor and come in white only

Here’s a selection of pics from the Retro and Modern gallery.  We loved the splash of colour in many of these pieces giving them a 21st century appeal while maintaining the timeless beauty of the original.

Retro Modern (vintage up cycled furniture) incorporates Senkki Furniture (new custom made furniture).

For further information contact Monique Bosely on info@retromodern.com.au or 0450 404 639 Visit www.retroandmodern.com.au to see more pieces from the collection.  It's well worth a visit.

 

Matthew Crane is the director and designer of Timber Art Furniture and is a third generation furniture maker after his father and grandfather.

The skills he’s learned from his older family members are clearly shown in his beautifully designed pieces and it’s well worth while taking a cruise through his website, www.timberartfurniture.com.au

Matthew says that he and his team specialise in creating pieces to fit in those areas you could never fit a furniture piece using the skills that have the company’s niche in the market place.

“This keeps the team fresh and ensures TimberArt is always at the top of its game,” said Matthew.

For further information contact Matthew on info@timberartfurniture.com.au or visit www.timberartfurniture.com.au

 

I could work happily all day long at this cosy little work space (at top) by Stylistic.

These pieces are made using mixed wood veneer and are available in a range of finishes.

These pieces are also from the Whimsical collection and are made using oak/rubberwood veneer, also available in a number of finishes.

I love the soft dove grey of the finish in these pieces and the sleek combination of old and new design.

The muse collection from Stylistik comprises seating pieces available in a range of colours and sizes. Frames are made from pine and birch and the seat cushions are a combination of feather and foam.

The back cushions are filled with polyester fibre and foam for support. Prints abstract prints on paper are framed in pewter.

For further information contact Nirit Halperin, on info@stylistic.com.au or visit www.stylistik.com.au

 

Bisque interiors always has a fresh new perspective and great design ideas such as the natural rattan “Scoop” chair above and reindeer hide above.

For further information contact Ralph Brauer on ralphbrauer@yahoo.com.au or visit www.bisqueinteriors.com.au

 

As much as I’m loathe to admit it ... I am prepared (for the sake of my blog) to admit that I was a young girl when the current style of retro furniture (does that mean that I’m retro myself? Does that mean my ageing face can be now be described as shabby chic, therefore fashionable? Or am I grasping at straws) was last in fashion.

The beauty of the current retro design style, is that while it tips its lid to the original design, it has been further finetuned and the fabrics are way and by far a vast improvement on the past.

As a child I remember dreading visits to my aunt who had the latest and last word in lounges.

It was covered in a fabric I can only describe as feeling like the nasty side of a Velcro strip. It actually hurt to stand up when you’d been sitting on it for a while and the pattern remained imprinted on your legs long after the visit had finished.

The latest offerings from design furniture take all the best of the past with contemporary tweaks and fabrics that make these pieces luxuriously comfortable.

We loved the detail on matching soft furnishings too.

For further information contact Carla Magnera on carla@designfurniture.com.au or 0412 050 449.

The website is www.designfurniture.com.au Enjoy!

 

Apologies to Globe Imports for not being able to show a better picture of their stand (see above left) at the fair.

It was due to the stand being so crowded with retailers that I had to jostle between folks to get any pic at all!

Fortunately the good people at Globe have been able to provide some better images of their latest collections.

For further information contact Jane Buckley on 02 9899 4768.

To see more of these collections visit the company’s website which has some stunning room setting shots of all the collections.

 

 

 

I just loved everything about Molmic’s new collections ... the shapes the fabrics and the wonderful combination of colours all created an entirely welcoming ambience.

The craftsmanship as usual was excellent with attention to detail in the piping and all aspects right down to the shapely legs on each piece.

Top marks from us for a delightful new season collection.

For further information phone 03 9335 2413 or visit the company’s website.

 

I wondered years ago whether the L shaped lounge would be a passing phase and pondered long and hard before buying one myself.

Having enjoyed my comfy lounge for several years now I can only hope the trend continues (however I doubt I’ll ever be convinced to part with mine ... some things go beyond fashion of the day).

Innovation has a great range of L shapes as well as other very sleek designs.

I particularly like the wider arms and low profile of many of their pieces. And many of the sofas can be easily folded out for extra beds when the visitors end up staying for the night.

The company started in the flower generation of the early 70’s, designing and manufacturing beanbags (which have made a big come back in recent years).

Innovation now specialises in contemporary sofa beds and functional furniture designed for modern homes and apartments. The company now boasts outlets in every continent except Antarctica. The company’s showroom in Australia is at Fortitude Valley.

For more information www.amadi.com.au

To visit the last of our series of blogs on Decoration + Design, click here.