Must-see at Melbourne Design Show 2023

My inspiration cup is full! I went to Melbourne Design Fair yesterday and man, it really delivered.

I went to the VIP Preview - turns out that there are a lot of VIPs. It was BUSY! There was an exciting atmosphere, a buzz in the air.

Conversations flowed easily (even for someone like me that finds small talk weird) and everyone was genuinely impressed with the curation. You know at some design fairs that have all good stuff in a corner at the front but at the back it’s all shiny leather recliners and guys in suits? Well, there was no ‘good corner’ because every inch was just incredible. Seriously.

HERE’S WHAT I SAW AND LOVED

Australian design was represented, with a few special international pieces. I loved seeing pieces in person that I’d only seen images of, especially lighting. There were some strong looks that were repeated in the show.

The exhibition centered around an epic floor rug/artwork. So lets start there. It was brightly coloured, organic, artisanal and a textile. Minimalists might want to give the fair a miss this year because it was all about ornamentation, decoration, craft, colour and mixing materials.

ROCK

One of the first designers as you walk in is James Howe and he showed some white bumpy ‘rock’ coffee tables with a white coating. Some of the rock was left uncoated and raw.

A few doors down I met Simone of Studio Tops. Loved her whole collection. She showed a few pieces made from rock and steel, which are a collaboration between Studio Tops and artist Beau Emmett. They reminded me of a Korean artist Lee Sisan and Simone told me they were influenced by the philosopher's stone. They are naturally occurring or shaped rocks which are traditionally appreciated in Asian cutlures.

I loved chatting to Simone, so much talent. She also made some wall lights made from kangaroo skin and they were STUNNING. Trust me.

COOL METALS

This brings me to steel and silver metals in general. I spoke about it in my last story for The Design Files and seeing so much of it here really cemented it as the ‘new neutral’. Oigall Projects entire stand was clad in brushed stainless steel, it looked sharp and provided a neutral backdrop to showcase the variety of pieces on display.

I adored the lighting pieces by Annie Paxton. The stainless steel and aluminium frame contrasted with a softly rouched fabric shade.

Dalton Stewart showed shelving that combined rock and steel.

This sofa by Don Cameron via Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert was sublime. The sculptural linished steel steel frame houses plush feather upholstered seating.

WOVEN

I had SUCH a deep chat to Marta in such a short time. She is incredibly inspiring and she was showing her iconic fabric totems. She showed me an image of a stunning piece that is embedded with meaningful symbolism. It also showed off her unique weaving techniques on a zinc steel frame. I can’t explain it - but it reminded me of the ‘folkiness’ of Frida Kahlo. Feminism, animals, women’s bodies, gaslighting - hopefully she will exhibit it soon.

I adored the work in the centre of the exhibition by Paula Savage. ‘She is a senior artist renowned for her ability to bring to life the shells and fish bones, sea life, hunting and fishing implements, luggers, and pearl shells of her personal history. ‘ via Melbourne Design Week. She lives on Moa Island in the near western cluster of islands in Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait).

I noticed weaving in many forms, the woven light by James Howe that had a tribal vibe, alongside his paper cord benches in two tones. I loved the ‘eyecatching’ tapestry (pardon the pun) by Brook Andrew (Wiradjuri) of close-up eyes.

Emily Feretti showed a beautiful tapestry with The Australian Tapestry Workshop. It was woven by Jennifer Sharpe and it’s refreshing to see tapestry in such a contemporary and elevated context.

TRADITIONAL DECORATIVE TECHNIQUES

I was thrilled to see this cabinet in person by Chiara Andreatti & Pierpaolo Mandi on display at Origine. It’s handcarved in solid chestnut in Sardinia, Italy. It’s expressive though an ornamentation that we haven’t seen in wood furniture for a while. I’m here for it.

Jessica Murtaugh showed a series of vessels that at first looked familiar however upon closer look, they are anything but typical. I’ve never related to hard to a vessel in my life. She adapts an ancient glass technique called cameo glass, and hand carves and engraves complex illustrations to the exterior of the vessels. The scenes show the social and economic fall-out of COVID-19 in Australia, online dating, domestic and everyday contemporary life. They were a joy and quite incredible.

LARGE-SCALE CERAMIC PIECES

Melbourne is a city with an insatiable appetite for ceramics. So of course we LOVE our furniture to be made of ceramics too.

This coffee table should find a home in my living room please. By Don Cameron and made of black Spanish clay with hand mixed glazes. Extremely tactile. Gallery Sally Dan-Cuthbert

Studio ALM showed some international pieces. I loved the large side tables by Floris Wubben, the studio based in Amsterdam. It was impressive to see these chunky ceramic pieces in person.

SCULPTURAL LIGHTING

There was so many impressive lighting pieces. Glass, metals, wood, coloured, kanagroo skin. Hang-on. Yep there was a lot of variety in lighting.

There is so much to see, I couldn’t possibly include everything good here. Melbourne Design Fair ends on Sunday 21st and there are other design week events all around Melbourne.