Out of Europe
We may have found it impossible to get into Europe in 2020 but we can still make a little piece of New Zealand forever England, or Portugal, France, Italy or, well you get the picture! While some of these products and ranges may not available through New Zealand stores/importers, most can be ordered online and shipped here by direct arrangement with their European designers or manufacturers.
Best of British BREXIT STAGE LEFT: Great Britain may have quit Europe politically but geography would beg to differ! Although Timothy Oulton’s furniture designs cover a wide range of styles, some pieces do more than just hint at military tradition. The son of a British major (and former antiques dealer), this London-based designer draws on classic regimental colour and the significance of discipline to produce many of the pieces in his collections. Featuring designs reflecting English country house living, aviation, the formality of parliament and more, much of Tim’s furniture is reminiscent of a time when the notion that the sun would never set on the British Empire was the stuff of pure fantasy. Using materials as synonymous with the military as brass and leather, his Regiment range of side tables, bookcases and Saddle Chair are great examples of this approach; they bring an air of pomp, pageantry and history to the modern home. More information: dawsonandco.nz or timothyoulton.com.
Hey there, good booking! OH, VENUS!: Inspiration crosses cultures and generations. Inspired by neoclassical sculptor, Antonio Canova (who was inspired by art from the ancient world), contemporary designer, Fabio Novembre breathes new life into a grand old lady who remains forever young. Venus may be the Roman goddess of beauty but, as Fabio shows with this bookcase (available through Italybased Driade), she’s no airhead and her beauty is more than just skin deep. By melding this immortal figure (and, quite the figure it is) into a bookcase, Venus becomes surrounded by knowledge from throughout the ages – who’s the wise one now, Minerva? More information: driade.com/en or skinnerdesign.co.nz. 44 — Design and Build South East — 2020-2021
