By Sarah Willcocks
When I was walking home from school as a little kid we’d often stop to peel the rough outer layers off the bedraggled Paperbark trees that stood sentry outside our school. We were told that the tender, tissue-like “paper” underneath could be used to write letters to fairies. These days, I think teachers and parents blatantly lying to impressionable young minds is a bit wrong, yet I still think trees are beautiful.
In the recent past, using wood in design and fashion has fallen out of favour, replaced by soulless plastic and industrial metals. Yet I think a yearning to get back to something real and natural has seen the resurgence of use of the material. When you think about it wood-grain is the loveliest naturally occurring “print” we have (and it is sans the guilt of, that other natural pattern, animal fur).
So I’m not sure why Pinocchio is in such a hurry to become a real boy…I think he’s perfect just the way he is.
1. Naomi Murrell is an illustrator from Adelaide who has just released her first proper range of notepaper, jewellery and home furnishings. Entitled ‘A Little Love’ the collection, as with all of Naomi’s work, is inspired by folk music and folk art. If you give this ‘Nature Lover’ sterling silver chain to someone you love a little (or a lot) they will always have a proverbial little birdy nearby to tell them secrets.
2. MaterialbyProduct are one of those fashion labels that are respected in the global industry but generally fly under the radar when it comes to outsider’s vast knowledge of their work. Award-winning designers Susan Dimasi and Chantal Kirby produce clothes that challenge traditional construction and draping of garments but always with purpose. Their autumn winter season last year is still stuck in my mind as it was entirely created in a silky, wood-grain print often with little “growths” as you would find on real trees.
3. It seems the Loften Lounger has been popping up in design publications everywhere lately. The design by Corey Baker puts plastic banana lounges to shame with its renewable Bamboo and streamlined construction. There’s nothing left to do but slide on into it on a hot day and ask the waiter “where’s my mojito?”
4. Est Australia has been creating all-natural products for over a decade now. While their range has expanded over the years their philosophy is still about loving, hands-on involvement with their work. When I initially got in touch with founder Carolyn Imlach she was elbow deep in ingredients for soap-making! However for me it always seems to come back to food and it was these mixing spoons made from Olive Wood that I was interested in. Imagine mixing up a sponge cake on a Sunday with these unique, curvy wood-grained beauties.
5. There’s something so “Australian” about the Murindi beaded necklaces by Joolz. It must be that whole “beautiful unique things come from a harsh landscape” bit that sums up the inner environment of our nation. No two necklaces can possibly be the same and the beads are created from already fallen wood. Also a little warning, the pieces are so tactile and appealing to play with that you may find random people coming up to touch them – a way to make new friends perhaps?
6. Flatland OK is the brainchild of designer Tim Fleming who produces all kinds of objects through carpentry. He makes skulls and playing-card spades and the hand gesture for “ok” to have around the home, on your shelves or to give away. It was this cut-out world map that caught my attention at the ‘Cloud 19’event last week. I want to hang it on my study wall in place of a world map. This piece is chunkier, much cooler than a regular map, and I like the glimpse of natural wood around the cut edges to balance the mirrored surface.
Image Credits: 1. Naomi Murrell 2. Leo Ferdinand 3. 707.com.au 4. Est 5. Lucia Ondrusova 6. Tobias Titz
