Furniture designers creating their own brand

Stefanno Giovannoni and his golden rabbit chairs created under his new brand Qeeboo.

I just read this very interesting article in Dezeen this morning and thought it was worth sharing for all other designers out there doing it alone. And for anyone else interested in creative business in general... 

When I started anaca studio, I sure didn't think it was going to be a walk in the park. I have questioned many decisions I have made and it's often been a matter of trials and errors to get to a solution that worked for me. Things change so fast these days that adjustments have to be made continually.  

One of the hardest thing to get my head around was how to structure the business. Do I just want to design? Do I want to everything? Is there somewhere in between?

So far I'm handling the lot. Designing, getting the designs to the manufacturers, going round picking up parts, doing some assemblies, quality control, distribution, orders, accounting, sales, clients meeting, PR, marketing, social media and so on... 

I'm not writing this to complain here. In a sadistic way, I enjoy doing all this - or at least the control freak part of me does! I did make the decision to leave the manufacturing to others... I do know that I couldn't do it all. My Jamfactory days as a designer-maker in Adelaide at least taught me that... 

I won't say that if there was an opportunity to design for a larger company, I wouldn't do it. Of course I would! But I can see why designers cannot rely on this alone to make a living... and therefore end up creating their own brands. For some big names, it might not be as challenging. Although Tom Dixon acknowledges the complexity of getting the products to the market . 

Lee Broom though, is an example of someone who has done it own his own, as a start up really and succeeded in creating and growing his own brand. I'm a huge fan not just of his products but also of what he's achieved. 

Anyway... check out Dezeen's article here. It's a good read. 

     Hi Lee... you're awesome! That truck... what a concept! 

All image from Dezeen's article.

Blue & Green inspiration (if not obsession!)

Blue & Green is all I see at the moment. My eye gets drawn into these deep blue - greens, icy blues, muted soft blues, bright greens, emerald and midnight blues... Gimme more! Of course in furniture for me, it reflects in gorgeous velvets, soft cottons and rich wools... 

But since it all starts there...here's a little inspo drawn from Mama nature... 

photo credits: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8

Chez anaca studio.

anaca studio has moved North of the river!  We're excited to announce that our furniture family has moved to a new home in Collingwood. Comfortably located at 64, Wellington Street, we invite you to come and stop by for a chat and a coffee. We can be out and about so give us a call before you drop in to make sure we're here to greet you!  Looking forward to seeing you, Merci et à bientôt. AC x The latest in the Media... Phileas floor cushion in Navy Blue linen featured in Inside Out Aug Issue. Love big cushions too! Our beautiful Elliot coat stand is looking rather awesome in Home Beautiful Aug issue.  It's a Coco stack sitting proudly on the "Poetic geometry" page in Habitus issue #28

Den Fair 2015 - Melbourne. A little update on the show...

Let's just say that it was a very busy 3 days and a rewarding show for anaca studio.

The exhibition was such a great opportunity to display our little goodies for you all to touch, feel and try. It was great to see so many familiar faces and to meet a lot of new and exciting people.

The Jules console was very popular and many of you expressed that your favourite elements were its originality and clean lines. The Elliot coat stand is still charming people and the Coco ottomans are adding some quirk and fun into the collection. 

So thank you to all of you who made it there and stopped by...  and if you've missed us, I have included below a few snapshots from our insta feed!

Feel free to email: info@anacastudio.com.au if you have any queries at all. 

Merci et à bientôt.

AC x

Yes, I have been pretty slack with this blog... There has been a lot going this year and unfortunately something had to give. Sorry blog. I'll definitely try and keep things and news going here though! And no, it is not a new year's resolution. :)
But anyway... It's time for relaxation, bubbles, good food, friends, family, happiness & sunshine!

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I hope you all enjoy your holidays!

Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année!

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Ghost Town. Or how nature decorates...

One website I often found myself going back to is Fast Company. This time what got me clicking their link is a story of this Ghost Town in Nambia called Kolmanskop. German miners settled there in the early 1900's following a "diamond rush". But it only lasted about half a century... as the resources disappeared, the town was slowly abandoned. So from 1956, the desert, the sand, the dunes just moved back in.

The result of time playing on the architecture is amazing. Aside from this incredible story, it's the fabulous light, the colours, the texture of the walls that grabbed my eye. I just wonder what the interiors would have looked like in their glory days. At the same time, the glory days maybe now... Aging gracefully, letting Nature take its course. 

These stunning images from French photographer Romain Veillon are a wonderful record of the ephemeral nature of what humans build and a reminder that if we let it, Nature will know how to take over.  

Hope you enjoy.

Anne-Claire

Via: Fast Company & Romain Veillon

The poetry of wooden hands

A little while ago as I was casually (to be honest, it was probably frantically!) browsing the internet, I just kept stumbling upon images of wooden hands. Although hands are often seen in styling props, I really like the warm texture and mechanical aspects of these ones. As it happens they are also part of the range of one of my favourite design firm: Hay. There's just something quite poetic about them... Whether they're the main decorative element or mingled among other objects, they have a lovely, soft presence. 

J'aime beacoup. 

Anne-Claire

images via: 1- commodoos 2- a. Petra Bindel photographer b. Bubbelsoda 3- House & Hold 4- La maison d'Anna G 

5- a&b. Petra Bindel photographer 6- a. Bubbelsoda b.The Design Chaser