Implied history

Privileged to live in a young country, as New Zealanders we are quick to look to our roots and draw on our own resources. However, in terms of high-end furniture, the world has a long history of craftsmanship to draw on.

Auckland interior designer Georgi Noble talks about crafted Italian furniture and its future here. She also mentions trends that owe as much to a sense of the playful as to a sense of the plush.

"For a long time, pragmatic furniture has held sway here," says Noble. "Practical, modular and even uncomfortable pieces have often been the lot for New Zealand domestic living rooms.

"However, as our country opens up to exquisite cuisine and couture fashion, so, too, are we beginning to celebrate the world's best in hand-crafted furniture. Today, the soft leathers, plush padding and graceful curves of an Italian Louis 16th armchair, for example, are readily available to appreciate here. The advantage of sourcing these sumptuous pieces from Milan is that the detailing and finishes reflect the built-in quality at a glance."

Noble says lavish pieces, such as an ebonised lombard chest or silver, ornate ottoman can also work well in eclectic, modern interiors. Their sculptural forms can be even more impressive when set amongst other simpler, clean-lined pieces.

"We are also seeing playful introduced elements on some of these classic styles. But again, the advantage of buying from Italy is that the classic forms are well understood there, and any tweaks or departures from the original forms are in keeping with the fundamental design ethos."

An example of this would be the exuberance of many crystal chandeliers today, showing a predominance of colour as well as of sparkle.

"In contrast to historic lines, strikingly modern forms also contribute to interior whimsy. Spaniard James Hayon's work is a good example. A student of Philippe Starck, this ceramic artist designs fluid-lined vanities that almost flow onto the floor and wall mirrors that are akin to a bold cartoon splat."

Story by: Trendsideas