The work of Kai Kristiansen, a master of the mid-century Danish design movement, has been resurrected in Australia by Great Dane Furniture founder Anton Assaad – the result of a cross-continental collaboration between the pair.
Entré large six-drawer cabinet in oak, $5500 (oak) $7250 (walnut)
“I am a great admirer of Kai’s work, it’s very math-based and very exact. I really wanted to work with him because he has been such a huge influence on design and he’s a part of Danish history and culture,” says Anton of the Danish designer who was born in Denmark in 1929 before training in cabinetry and pursuing a lifelong career in architecture and design.
The partnership came about after Anton met Kai for a coffee in Copenhagen back in 2012, before they set about sourcing the best manufacturers to reproduce Kai’s iconic #42 chair. “We didn’t stop until we were both happy with the result and our expectation was perfection,” says Kai of the designs that are manufactured by a skilled team of cabinet makers in Denmark.
Entré medium three-drawer cabinet in walnut, $3950 – we’re loving the gorgeous interior details!
The range, which was first exhibited in Denmark in 1960, features three cabinets in varying sizes (with plans for more pieces to come) all produced in walnut and oak, with an emphasis on clean, simple lines – the cabinet handles have been created with the human hand in mind but are entirely seamless. “I decided to bring the Entré range back to life with Kai because I have always loved it: the quality and proportions are perfect and I feel that it is very resolved,” says Anton.
Entré small two-drawer cabinet, $2750 (oak) $2950 (walnut)
“I chose the range for a number of reasons – I love the perfect proportions, sense of balance, considered design and timeless appeal. I feel the designs have a strong harmonious element which greatly reflects the pared back nature of Kai’s Scandinavian design values. The Entré range is beautifully subtle, understated and as charming as Kai himself,” says Anton.
Kai Kristiansen
To celebrate the launch, the Danish designer made his first trip to Australia this week. “Danish design has great history in the city with the Sydney Opera House, so I am delighted to be here to showcase my Entré collection,” says Kai.
With so many homewares stores out there, getting some expert recommendations can save you time, money and most importantly, tears. Surely I’m not the only one who’s got overemotional in the local bedding store… no? Just me! Moving on.
So, we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers to get their recommendations on their favourite Melbourne homewares stores (and don’t worry Sydney, you’ll get yours in the coming weeks).
Miriam Fanning of Mim Design: I look no further than Mud Australia, especially for platters, vessels, vases and cookware. Their timeless handmade porcelain range combines clean lines, functionality and a beautiful colour palette, and has a minimalist aesthetic that I love.
Miriam
Sonia Simpfendorfer of Nexus Designs: Cult have so many simple, beautiful accessories, particularly from the Danish brand Hay; their Kaleido trays range in great, slightly off colours are a favourite. The Scholten & Baijings designed bed linens are minimalist loveliness and they have understated desk accessories, notebooks and even coat hangers.
Cult
Lauren Macer of Sisalla Interior Design:Safari Living is easily my favourite store for unique homewares. They consistently have a fantastic selection of up and coming Australian designers mixed with some of my favourite European brands. I love stepping into the little corner shop and being surrounded with luxurious Missoni cushions, gorgeous tableware by Danish brand Menu and a great range of Tom Dixon homewares. There are the lesser known brands too, I love the delicate woven bamboo lights by Ay Illuminate made using traditional methods by artisans in Asia and Africa.
Lauren
Wilson Tang of Sonelo Design Studio: CIBI is our much-loved go-to Japanese cafe and Japanese designer product store. The subtlety and simplicity of their objects boldly embrace their functionality whilst carefully disguising themselves into an appealing object. Their cookware, dining sets, and glassware are up-there on our wish list.
CIBI
Diane Bergeron of Mercer School of Interior Design:One of my favourite homewares shops in Melbourne is Modern Times on Smith Street. Their pieces are always original and beautifully crafted. I know when I go in there I can find something that will be timeless and mix well with other styles of furniture. Our reception desk at the Mercer School of Interior Design was purchased from there and makes such a statement when you arrive.
Diane
Matt Gibson of Matt Gibson Architecture + Design:We love Great Dane Furniture in Fitzroy, around the corner from our office. They have a great diverse range of furniture,homewares, lighting and accessories, focusing on natural materials like solid timber that ensure products have a long lifespan. Their timeless mid-century pieces can be styled up or down to either accentuate or pare-back their modernist flavour.
Matt
Chris Rak of Robson Rak Architects: The one store that blows me away every time I go in is Nicholas & Alistair in Abbotsford. They’ve always got the most exquisite and original 20th century furniture and objects from Europe. I literally lose my breath every time I go in there. The boys who run it are just so passionate and highly knowledgable that they hit the nail on the head with everything they bring in.
Nicholas & Alistair
Caecilia Potter of Atticus & Milo: Space Furniture is a favourite because they’re a lovely, friendly team to work with and they have such an eclectic collection of my favourite designers and design studios such as Patrizia Urquiola, Antonio Citterio, Marcel Wanders, Ingo Maurer, Bruno Rainaldi, Edra, Moroso, Maxalto, Foscarini, Opinion Ciatti – I could keep going!
Caecilia
Anna Dutton of Bower Architecture:One of my favourites is Luke Furniture, just around the corner from us on High Street in Prahran. Their range is carefully curated and features timeless pieces with texture and warmth: qualities which align with our own approach to design. They have a great range of ceramics, warm timber accessories, lighting and of course, furniture. We just bought a Modernica Case Study Planter from them in black ceramic and timber for the Bower Architecture studio. It is perfect.
Anna (right) and co-directors Chema Bould and Jade Vidal.
Carole Whiting of Whiting Architects:My favourite Melbourne homewares store is Red Hill House as it always has a great collection of kitchen goods, decorative and practical products and they are always well stocked. They have a keen eye for products with a bit of soul and they support the local community by stocking products produced by local craft makers. With so many mass-produced goods on offer, it’s nourishing to buy one-offs or handmade goods that someone has physically touched and made with love.
Red Hill House
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!
I didn’t realise a chair could look springlike but it can. Just look at this beauty!
From the design team who brought us the SMED stool, comes another good looking collaboration. Great Dane Furniture and Danish company OX have just released the September Chair. Designed by Dennis Marquart for OX, this modern classic seamlessly combines function and style.
