Yellowtrace Spotlight // December 2014.

Once again the Yellowtrace Spotlight rolls around for the month, presenting exciting submissions, projects, upcoming exhibitions as well as some amazing new local products we must bring to your attention. So welcome to the December 2014 edition – the last one for the year! What? How did that happen? As 2014 comes to a close we have a massive selection of some of the things that have been submitted or uncovered in this past month, including beautiful Marble Tables by Frag Woodall, a new line of colourful ceramic tiles, two new bars/ cafes in Melbourne and Sydney + two upcoming exhibitions in Sydney and so much more. Happy reading!

Cloud Tables by Frag Woodall.

The ‘Cloud’ series is a collection of three small occasional tables in various sizes and heights. Tops are manufactured in white Carrera marble with a honed silk surface. Legs are turned out of American White Oak with a traditional Danish soap finish. The project’s focal point is that of expressing the joint detail and creating a vibrant dialogue between the materials. An element of the design philosophy was to work with a sophisticated material like marble, giving it a more humble and light-hearted expression.

Frag Woodall
Stockist: Cult
Photography by Rick Carter

SCALES by Mut Design.

Mut dazzles the ceramic tile market once again thanks to an unexpected design. This time round it is a line called SCALES, an extremely bright alternative to conventional ceramic tiling that will delight and surprise. Mut seeks to imitate the feeling of vibrating movement transmitted by the sheeny skin of fish when they ripple under water.

Mut Design
Photography by Asier Rua

Fractal Dining Table by DesignByThem.

Retaining the functionality and playfulness of the original, the Fractal Dining Table addresses the need for versatile solutions for small urban living spaces and dynamic workplaces. The modular design can adapt to it’s surroundings, ensuring the table can play a host of functions from a large meeting table to a hot desk, small dining table or side table. The intelligent design utilises embedded magnets to ensure precise alignment and smooth adjustment in all configurations.

DesignByThem
Photography by Pete Daly

Javi Letterbox Range.

Javi Design introduces a new approach to an old concept – the humble Aussie letterbox. The simple unfinished timber front panel allows for customised painting or staining, as well as specific engraving. “We always wanted this to be an entirely Australian-made product… We chose sustainable Accoya wood and coated Australian steel, so the product will last in the harsh Australian climate,” says Industrial designer Lee Rodezno.

Javi Design

Jury Cafe in Melbourne by Biasol: Design Studio.

Jury Cafe is located within the bluestone walls of a Melbourne historical site, Pentridge Village – formerly Pentridge Prison, which was decommissioned in 1997.  The location presented several unique challenges to Biasol: Design Studio: “we wanted to respect its dark past as a prison, and we also wanted to breathe new life into the cafe for its patrons to enjoy.” The theme of irreverence led the architects to play with ideas – ideas that created a contrast between dark bluestone walls and a palette of bright colours and blond timbers. Along with this approach, a mix of raw materials, ply-board, structural wood and concrete were used in order to form a geometric pattern of multiple hues within the accent wall.

Jury Cafe
Biaso: Design Studio
Photography by Martina Gemmola

The Nelson Bar by Techne Architecture + Interior Design.

This bar took inspiration from it’s bayside location in St Kilda and it’s main offering of rum. The clients brief was to create a laid back venue with a real ‘local pub’ feel. The fit-out took on a maritime, timeworn and rustic feel which is carried throughout the venue. Recycled timbers recovered from the Docklands were used for the bar that serves as the main feature, running centrally through the longitudinal space. Encouraging it’s patrons to sit on either side allowing them to chat directly to bar staff in an informal setting. Another feature includes a hand painted mural of a mythical sea creature ‘The Kracken’ by artist Dexter Rosengrave, adding another layer to the design.

The Nelson Bar
Techne Architecture + Interior Design
Photography by Tom Blachford

T.O.M.S. The Organic Meat Specialist by Flack Studio.

Tasked with a complete revamp of The Organic Meat Specialists’ South Melbourne Market store, Flack Studio has created a beautifully contemporary butcher that reflects an appreciation of the clients’ own craft and attention to detail, through clever use of minimal materials and a touch of nostalgic whimsy. The pink tiling and scalloped edges of the display case impart a 1950s feel, while the contrasting brilliant blue serves up an unexpected yet superb backdrop for the product to visually pop. A dappled marble cash wrap complements the warm timber panelling, reminiscent of traditional butchers blocks, and delivers the subtly luxe contemporary edge characteristic of a Flack Studio design.

T.O.M.S.
FLACK Studio
Photography by Sharyn Cairns

Ross Street Residence by b.e. architecture.

Ross Street was designed for clients who wanted their home to be a reinterpretation of an Asian courtyard house that was suitable for an urban Australian context. The front and back are intentionally understated and austere to celebrate privacy created by the inward-facing design. A pathway underneath a canopy of maple trees along the side of the building brings visitors directly into the heart of the house. Inside, the open plan surrounds a central courtyard with a single Mount Fugi cherry tree.

b.e. architecture

‘EAU’ Photographic Series by Graham Shearer at Black Eye Gallery.

Graham Shearer is one of Australia’s most prolific fashion photographers. His career has seen his images grace the covers of Vogue, Harpers Bazaar, Tatler and Interview magazines to name a few. Graham’s latest work ‘EAU’ (French for water) will be on show at the Black eye Gallery – a series of underwater stills shot in Western Australia. This exquisite work is presented in limited edition large-scale black and white prints. Black Eye will also be including some iconic images Graham has shot of Elle Macpherson – a unique opportunity to see the master’s iconic work alongside his latest offerings.

Opening Night Dec 4th 6:00 – 8:00pm / Exhibition Runs until Dec 24th
3/138 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst NSW 2010

Graham Shearer
Black Eye Gallery

Infinex III Collection by Sydney Ball at Sullivan + Strumpf Gallery.

At an unstoppable 81 years of age, iconic Australian artist Sydney Ball continues to push the limits of contemporary Australian art. Ball’s upcoming exhibition, Infinex III is a continuum of the Infinex series which began in 2010. This series of hard-edge paintings refer to the artists modular works of the 1960s, which he started to create after his first stint at the New York School. In Infinex III the artist has, for the first time, created works that can be displayed outdoors, constructed of powder coated aluminium – a simple twist of technique that marks a complex new angle in Ball’s ever-expanding practice.

Opens Nov 15th/ Runs until Dec 20th.
799 Elizabeth St, Zetland NSW 2017

Sydney Ball
Sullivan + Strumpf Gallery

Hand Crafted Summer Beach Towel Collection from Jac + Jack.

Jac+ Jack creates a new collection of hand loomed organic cotton beach towels named after Australian beaches. The towels are woven on ancient looms from organic cotton by artisan weavers in small villages around Murshidabad and Phulia in West Bengal. Each towel takes three days to produce. The production of these unique towels is supporting industries under threat of extinction from mechanised looms and commercial dye houses. Jac+ Jack proudly works with these artisans to help preserve their craft.

The collection is priced from $140 to $199 and available in store and online.

Jac + Jack