Solid timber is certainly one of my favourite materials, so it tends to be present in many of my designs. There is a beautiful warmth and texture to it. It is also very durable which makes the products more sustainable. I often combine timber and metal in my products. The change in texture, finish and in the feel creates more depth and layers. I enjoy the visual contrast that this particular mix of materials offers.

 

What I like about wood…

Solid timber is an easy material to work with. New technologies and hi-tech machinery mean that we can pretty much do anything using timber. 

 

The challenge is often to feel confident that the client will understand the colour and grain variation that can occur on a table top for example. Each piece of solid timber has its own “digital print” but not everyone always understands or appreciates this.

 

My favourite project was working on a collection of coffee, dining and side tables using American black walnut, as a bespoke project for a Melbourne interior designer. That timber has such a rich colour and stunning texture and we had some beautiful variations in the grain. This translated in to giving these particular pieces a very elegant and luxurious look. I don’t believe we would have achieved this with another timber.

 

What was the inspiration for Emi?

I wanted to work on a small piece that would be versatile and easily find its place in any interior. So the seating “pods” made sense. Considering the title of the project “Seed to Seat”, the idea of the “pod” was well-suited.



I have been working on a few designs in the past (tables and stools) using turning methods to create a shape. For this project I was keen to look into the concept further to create more of a three-dimensional texture and really show the grain of the timber. 



My general approach to design is to have a clean and simple aesthetic. So I have kept the shape of the pod very basic but I have also explored a more decorative approach by using the scalloping on the sides to add a visual and tactile appeal.



It was important for me to showcase what can be done with solid timber. I wanted my design to be a solid piece but also have a delicate aesthetic.