Friday, November 13, 2009

Australiana to sit on



Australia has a noble heritage of kitsch. This runs in a long line from giant objects (mostly in Queensland - what is it about Queenslanders and their large food objects?):



To tea towels:


(Image: melb-opshopping.blogspot.com)

To Dame Edna Everage.


But look at the use to which Suzie Stanford, whose studio is just up the road from me, has put the humble teatowel. She makes bespoke furniture upholstered in vintage Australiana fabrics.


Here are the chairs she has created for Bistro Guillaume using French teatowels.



And here is her work for another wonderful Melbourne place to have a cocktail, Mink Bar at the Prince of Wales in St Kilda.



And who wouldn't feel productive and happy in these office chairs?


Suzie's pieces are incredibly special. Like all creative people she is constantly searching for new ways to express herself. Her latest work is tapestry chairs, and these are the ones she has created for Liberty in London:





And here is another piece.


I would love to just put all her work in this post but that would be overkill. You can see all her creations here. Her other work includes jewelry and lighting - her teaspoon light is at the top of this post.

A final thought for the weekend by the inimitable Dame Edna herself:

'Never be afraid to laugh at yourself. After all you could be missing out on the joke of the century.'


12 comments:

Jacqueline @ HOME said...

Oh Jane....you have brought back many old memories for me.
Barry Humphries was a patient of mine and also lived in a flat in the same building of the practice where I worked. He was lovely and I remember washing his socks for him once 'cos he hated doing it and he was appearing on tele that night !!!!
Anyway, I digress...back to the plot. Aren't these chairs beautiful. I'll have to pop into Libertys to have a look at them in 'real life'.
Have a great weekend. XXXX

Jane said...

Yes Barry is a true genuine eccentric and a very clever thoughtful man. He went to my husband's old school and the legend is that he refused to partake of any sport and instead sat on the sidelines knitting. In sports mad Australia that takes some bravery!

brismod said...

Nothing like agri-tourism to keep things interesting up here in Queensland. That Big Pineapple is now heritage listed, so I will have to dig out all my old holiday tea towels. Who knew they'd make a lovely chair?

Mise said...

Those chairs are simply magnificent. Kitsch is such a delight when it's done well. Lucky you to live near such a wonder!

Unknown said...

Hi Jane!

Your great comment about Pierce on my blog made me hoot, you are funny!!

I love the chairs in this post - and love the final quote by the fabulous Dame Edna, brilliant.

Happy Week-end :)

Unknown said...

PS I love your Remembrance Day post....very well written.

Dumbwit Tellher said...

Great, fun, post Jane. I love kitsch & Suzie's creations are such fun. Just scream cozy, homey, & welcome. I love learning more & more about Australia. I adore Dame Edna too!
Happy..happy weekend to you xx

Fargerike Dagny said...

Love the huge pineapple!! Lol... But those office chairs are seriously fabulous!! Thanks for sharing!! :)

the old boathouse said...

So wonderful, I love the fringe on the first pic chair. cheers Katherine

Julie@beingRUBY said...

Hi Jane
I have some catching up to do on your blog posts.. but this is just adorable.. some I love and some I hate.. the beauty of kitsch!! hehe

Well I can honestly say I have never met Barry Humphreys and he didn't go to my old school. Although being an all girls school he might of liked it!!

Thanks for your lovely comments over my way. I do appreciate your visits and sorry I am a little scarce these days on yours.. and everyone elses... take care xx Julie

Eloise said...

This whole post reminds me of kath and kim, i love australia, it was a delightful post. I'm a Queenslander and I have no idea about those big food objects, i think they are rather terrible but ohh well. NSW has the big banana so maybe its an Australian thing? Does that make me less Australian lol? My other favourite Australian thing is splades, I should write a post about them.

A Pretty Trip said...

Giant Mango - I've never heard of the giant mango, and I'm from the state of giant food objects!

That furniture is really cool - who knew Australiana could be stylish.

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