Catapult Launches New Sydney Showroom.

A little over four years after their inception, and a mere two years after the launch of their first showroom in Darlinghurst, Catapult Design have opened their new showroom in an old 1894 wool store in Sydney’s Ultimo.

At a massive 1500 square metres, the total floor space is almost 20 times the size of their earlier inner-east heaven. Here, in the Ultimo Design Centre, visitors enter unexpectedly into a cavernous space. Driving or walking up the ramp you might initially question whether you have come to the right place, but your first clue is the vintage Bentley, the theme car of the Catapult team to ferry clients to and from the city. A car park–gallery opens before you, featuring a selection of furniture and artworks.

Tucked in the corner of the first space is a kitchen, from which the Catapult team cater for clients and events and even hand make cookies from a family recipe.

Relatively modest vintage barn-doors have been installed into the wall by Catapult founders Leigh Johnson and Aaron Zorzo, who have not only built the business, but also quite literally this showroom. The duo have incorporated recycled materials wherever possible in order to stay true to the historic landmark.

Step through the opening and you find yourself in a wonderland of Australian furniture, lighting, and accessories. If you’re familiar with Catapult’s collection you will know all too well the stunning work of Barbera Design, the clean lines of André Hnatojko, Melbourne based Franco Crea and Dowel Jones, and their own line of locally designed and manufactured furniture.

What is immediately made clear, however, is just how much Catapult’s range has expanded. In the last twelve months alone they have picked up the likes of Apparentt, Eugenie Kawabata, Mr Fräg, LUMIL, Idle Hands, jr.abel, NASH, MJP Studio, Remy-Woodcock, Rhys Cooper and Jo Chester, with more to come.

Catapult Design is proud to have a strong focus on local design and manufacture, supporting Australian talent and ensuring the skills and knowledge involved in creating these beautiful products can be fostered in future generations. Their new location, layout, and space will play host to future collaborations, with final touches added over time.

Catapult showroom is located at Unit 6, Level W2, 42 Wattle St Ultimo 2007.
Open Monday to Friday, late on Thursdays (7pm), and Saturday by appointment.

[Images courtesy of Catapult. Photography by Tom Ferguson.]