3 OF A KIND
Perfect for extra guests and in-between zones, these elegant seats are sitting pretty
Meet the makers of three designer bench seats
Sawdust Bureau ‘Pinch’ bench
DESIGNER: Bryan Cush Director of Sawdust Bureau Bryan has been designing and making furniture for almost ten years, initially part-time while working as an architect. “My interest in furniture is partly a result of my grandfather’s influence – he was also an architect-turned-furniture maker – and partly due to joining Melbourne University’s Timber Furniture Design program as part of my Masters of Architecture,” he says. Working exclusively with Australian native timbers, Bryan uses FSC-certified Victorian ash to craft Pinch. “The idea of importing exotic hardwoods when we have such stunning raw materials right on our doorstep just doesn’t seem logical,” says Bryan. The result of an evening spent with a sketchbook and a bottle of red, the bench appears simple yet conceals hidden complexities. A rectangular loop is ‘pinched’ to form, in Bryan’s words, “a shadowy nook to stash trashy magazines”. At the other end, embedded metal strips act as rails to display more prominent publications. “I love a comparison made by one of our clients, likening the ‘Pinch’ bench to a musical instrument,” he says. “It suggests a playful, dynamic personality, which we always try to embody in our work.” From $3590, sawdustbureau.com.
Apparentt ‘Idle’ bench seat
DESIGNERS: Elliot & Louise Gorham The creative pair behind Apparentt are happiest when collaborating as a team, whether that’s in their marriage, being parents or hard at work in their Melbourne studio. Elliot’s background in furniture design and making was a match for Louise’s creative side and passion for beautifully crafted objects. “We started Apparentt in late 2015 as a way of combining our collective skills, focusing our creativity and continuing to pursue our passion for design,” says creative director Louise. With a particular love of American oak, the duo’s ‘Idle’ bench seat is crafted from this hard-wearing timber with Japanese design influences. “It’s a strong part of our identity, and we like to play with details in exposed joinery,” says Louise. The name of this piece was inspired by its simplicity and effortlessness. “We’ve combined complementary traditional joinery with modern appeal to create a light yet sturdy seat,” she says. “Idle is happiest when placed in a hallway near the front door – a piece to help pass the time, doing nothing.” $1738, apparentt.com.au.
Melbourne Table Co. ‘Bench In Black’
DESIGNER: Joe Chester After finishing up his previous project, Tree Horn Design, maker and designer Joe decided to take his work in a new direction with Melbourne Table Co. “We’re now making larger items,” he says. “We do prototyping, assembly and small production from our ‘test kitchen’ in Preston, Victoria.” When it came to this bench, Joe took a minimalist approach. “We wanted to bring together a simple form, and highlight the finish of the material, black American ash timber,” he says. “The surface finish highlights the beautiful grain of the wood in certain lighting and angles, but it can be like looking into a black hole at other times.” The piece can be customised with different materials, dimensions and textures and can even be disassembled for easy transportation. “We work with a number of materials, but sustainability is always a part of our thought process,” says Joe. “Our materials are sourced locally, we take the utmost care to recover as much raw material as we can, and we run a refurbishing program to keep your furniture looking good across decades.” From $700, melbournetableco.com.