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Designers Furniture

Porcelain Bear’s new range inspired by the Paris Metro

Inextricably linked with Paris (and obviously New York too!), subway tiles are minimal, classic and were always ripe for a resurgence. And while we’ve seen them on many a kitchen splash \back and bathroom floor, Melbourne design duo Porcelain Bear have just released a gorgeous new range of furniture incorporating the trend. Titled the Metro series, the Parisian-subway inspired series is clad in gorgeous handcrafted porcelain tiles and is the perfect complement to the brand’s existing range of porcelain lighting and tableware.

Porcelain Bear_Metro Side Cluster

Metro series columns

One half of Porcelain Bear, Gregory Bonasera, has a particular affection for Paris and the Metro range is an ode to the city he adores. “I’m a Francophile and I love Paris – it was one of my first international trips when I was 21. I adore the work of Hector Guimard, who designed a lot of the entrances to the Paris metros and although our Metro series doesn’t reference Art Nouveau, it does reference the Paris Metro,” says Gregory.

The range features porcelain-tiled columns in three sizes – Slender (260mm in diameter), Burley (300mm) and Butch (410mm), occasional tables and a striking coffee table and dining table too – we love the solid marble tops that adorn those ones.

Porcelain Bear_Metro Coffee with Fruit tree

Metro series coffee table

The brand’s love of Paris extends to the new extension of their Collingwood showroom. Titled the black room, it features a floor-to-ceiling black column made from Metro modules with a 24 carat gold-coated porcelain wall sconce attached. “That’s another beautiful reference to the Paris Metro and it’s a demonstration of how versatile the Metro series is.”

Porcelain Bear_Metro Dining with Fruit Tree

Metro series dining table

Melbourne readers can view the Metro series in Smalls Bar in South Melbourne. Designed by Fiona Lynch Design Office, the award-winning space features a statement bar clad in porcelain tiles from the Metro series.

Discover more.

 

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Designers RENO ADDICT

Dulux 2016 colour forecast brought to life by local artists

While it’s not quite the same as Pantone’s colour of the year announcement, any trend watcher worth her salt, sits up and takes notice when Dulux releases a new colour forecast. Something of a colour barometer, it usually gives us a strong hint as to the kind of hues that will adorn our walls (and interiors in general) come next season.

DCF2016_BioFragility_Specifier_001_HeroBio Fragility palette

Split into four palettes, Dulux has worked with local craftspeople to bring the colour themes to life. “This year, we are drawing upon international trends as well as celebrating the contributions and growing influence of local designers. Working with the four ‘makers’ has demonstrated the versatility of each palette when introduced to the interior environment,” says Andrea Lucena-Orr, Dulux Colour Planning and Communications Manager.

DCF2016_BioFragility_Specifier_005Bio Fragility palette

Melbourne ceramicists Porcelain Bear have created a porcelain bowl for Dulux’s Bio Fragility palette that draws on delicate hues comprised of subtle, chalky tones of pale aqua, lilac and dusty pink.

DCF2016_RetroRemix_Specifier_003Retro Remix palette

Bringing the past into the present, Retro Remix is a celebration of mid to late century design – Grazia & Co’s custom designed ottomans and side table evoke the retro feel of this palette.

DCF2016_FuturePast_Specifier_003Future Past palette

Moody and romantic, Future Past draws on nostalgia and tradition with a colour scheme of burgundy and grape tones, rich brown and deep emerald. Perfume maker Emma Leah, of Fleurage, has brought this colour way to life with a custom room scent.

DCF2016_InfiniteWorlds_Specifier_002Infinite Worlds palette

Evoking the seventies and its futuristic science fiction obsession, Infinite Worlds is a celebration of hues made popular at the time – amethyst and teal. Textile artist Elise Cakebread brought this look to life with printed and constructed textiles.

DCF2016_RetroRemix_Specifier_001_HeroRetro Remix palette

See more at Dulux.

 

Categories
Designers Furniture Homewares

The gallery exhibition and retail pop-up for interiors lovers

Side Project, hosted by The Stables, is an exciting new exhibition and retail pop-up showcasing the work of some of Australia’s most innovative independent designers and artists.

sideproejct
Page Thirty Three

Today marks the launch of this new breed of design event in Sydney – encapsulating the best elements of a gallery exhibition, a retail space and a trade-show into the one format. Side Project will run during Sydney InDesign, but won’t be just a trade-to-trade event. Taking over the entire ground floor of The Stables, it will be open to all sectors of the creative community.

Porcelain Bear
Porcelain Bear

The exhibition features renowned Australian export (LA based) artist Jonathan Zawada, the inventive designs of Blakebrough + King, ceramics house Porcelain Bear, Sydney based design duo Page Thirty Three and many more.

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Henry Wilson

The work exhibited consists largely of one-off or short run pieces, most of which have been crafted specifically for this event. Products include printed and hand-painted artworks, sculptural furniture, functional objects, magazines, crockery, textiles and more. The common theme between all participants is a thirst for exploration within their respective fields and a tone of voice that is conceptual, modern and above all experimental.

Side Project is a forum for designers, created by designers. For more information.

Categories
Designers Furniture Homewares

Submissions open for independent designers to exhibit at DEN

ID. is a new platform for independent designers exhibiting furniture, lighting and objects.

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Bident by Porcelain Bear

Founded and curated by Anne-Maree Sargeant, ID. will debut at Melbourne’s new DEN Fair (14-16 May) showcasing new works by 25 independent Australian designers and design brands.

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Tip Vase by Shareen Joel

Submissions are now open and close 30 April. Displays will be either open plan exhibitions (with table top display for objects), or a choice of two-metre or four-metre square spaces in purpose-built lighting display pods. Prices are available once submissions have been reviewed and accepted.

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Eclipse by Inkster Maken

Exhibiting brands already confirmed include Christopher Boots, Design by Them, Dowel Jones, Inkster Maken, Porcelain Bear, Shareen Joel and Silhouettica.

Apply now.

Categories
Furniture

Porcelain Bear will amaze you with what they can make from ceramics

Presenting the very best in porcelain furniture, lighting and objects, Gregory Bonasera and Anthony Raymond of Porcelain Bear have opened their very first showroom in Collingwood, Melbourne.

Gregory and Anthony
Gregory and Anthony

Approaching their craft more as designers than potters, they combine studio ceramics with computer-aided graphics (or CAD) to create unique and groundbreaking designs. Products include several ranges of pendant lights and furniture alongside plates, vases, beakers, condiment dishes and tiles. Porcelain stools and a grand porcelain table take pride of place in the showroom and prove that anything can be made from this delicate yet durable material!

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Porcelain Bear also provide a design and manufacturing service for individual commissions in the showroom’s adjoining workspace. Through their experience and understanding of design, Gregory and Anthony can work with architects and designers to create bespoke pieces that will enhance any project.

And while they do admit porcelain is a challenging material to work with, they believe the challenges and limitations fuel beautiful and creative results that last the test of time. “Porcelain has an inherent dignity, an innate beauty and a physical permanency,” says Gregory. “When we design we bear this in mind and aim to create works which transcend fashion and last well into the future. If you don’t break it, it’s going to be here forever.”

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Porcelain Bear is the first time Gregory and Anthony have joined forces, Gregory previously working with the medium through Gregory Bonasera Ceramics and Anthony commencing his career in industrial and graphic design before moving into ceramics where he met and subsequently started working with Gregory.

You can visit Porcelain Bear online or at their new Melbourne showroom.