News

Winner at Perth 2009

We recently took the Tamar suite in celery top pine and a single Werriwa lounge in Victorian blackwood and Paloma leather to the Furniture Industry Association of Australia's "Australian Furniture of the Year Awards 2009" held in Perth.

To our great satisfaction, the Werriwa lounge won the category "Excellence in Furniture using Leather". The Werriwa has been awarded in the past for its wood craftsmanship and design, but this added a whole new dimension. The Werriwa beat its competition based directly on comfort and the quality of its upholstery.

The Tamar suite was awarded "Runner-Up" at the same competition in the category of "Excellence in Dining Furniture". This was not a case of being damned with faint praise. The FIAA's competition is aimed at the broader furniture industry, not the small craft/design end of the game. They only award a runner-up in a category when there are "two clear winners". Broad appeal and value for money are a big part of the judging criteria, so for the Tamar to be considered so highly under those testing conditions (for a craft based piece) is wonderful.

New Showroom

We are thrilled to announce that we have moved into our beautiful new showroom in Fyshwick, ACT. Trading commenced on Saturday 18th July, 2009. This marks a sea-change for us, as until now our showroom was simply an area of our workshop. Now clients can see our work in the surroundings of a proper showroom. Fenella Dunstone will run the showroom Tuesday to Friday and Evan Dunstone will run it Saturdays (or by appointment).

The new showroom is located on the corner of Albany St and Townsville St, Fyshwick (access of Townsville St). The opening hours are 10am to 4pm Tuesday to Saturday (closed Sunday and Monday). We hope to see you there one day soon.

Maker's Mark

In early 2007, Evan commissioned sculptor and Olympic gold medalist in archery Simon Fairweather to design and produce the new “Maker's Mark” for Dunstone Design. Cast in bronze, the maker's mark will now grace each piece of commissioned work by Dunstone Design. The maker's mark was one of Fairweather's first commissions in cast bronze and he is now specializing is small castings. Evan particularly enjoyed his chance to be on the “client's” side of the commissioning process for once.

Tasmania

Evan taught at the Australian School of Fine Furniture, University of Tasmania, Launceston, throughout 2009. He was the lecturer in Wood Technology and travelled down to Tasmania one day a week for twenty weeks. Evan has previously taught at the ASSF as a visiting artist as well as at the Wood Workshop, National Institute of the Arts, Australian National University .

Simon Ancher

Evan has found working with ASFF Director Simon Ancher particularly rewarding. Ancher is first and foremost a designer and brings none of the “baggage” that many obsessive wood workers bring to furniture making. Working with Simon is interesting and challenging, as Ancher is excellent at analyzing and critiquing designs.

Swedish Connection

For three months in 2006 Dunstone Design was visited by Swedish cabinet maker Jon Davidsson . From the island of Oland , Jon is a keen wood carver as well as a Journeyman Cabinetmaker. There must be something in the water over there, because Swedish cabinet makers are excellent. The training is comprehensive, rigorous and detailed. Would that there was similar training in Australia !

In the spring of 2005, Evan spent some delightful weeks collaborating with Swedish trainee designer/maker Rasmus Malbert . Rasmus was studying at the Carl Mamsten CTD, Stockholm (where he was later awarded the school's second highest medal for craftsmanship and design). His stay with Dunstone Design fulfilled his course requirement for a seven week internment with industry. Rasmus was until recently in partnership with two other makers in Sweden but has just returned to full time study in sustainable design.

When Rasmus was with Dunstone Design he spent much of his time assisting with the prototype of the award winning Cascade rocking chair. A highlight of Rasmus' stay was the two hour guest lecture he gave at the Wood Workshop , N.I.T.A, ANU. Interestingly, Dr Rodney Hayward , Head of the Wood Workshop , was trained by James Krenov, who also trained at the Carl Malmsten school. The school has had a far reaching influence on contemporary furniture design and making.

Australian Wood Review

Evan is a regular contributor to Australian Wood Review magazine. He has written many articles for the magazine, his most popular being his “Working with Australian Timbers” series.