bernabeifreeman + Tait Terrace colletion
Terrace is a collection designed for leading outdoor furniture company Tait including tables, planters and homewares.
Images by Haydn Cattach.
Our interview with Tait below;
A meeting of metal and minds, we recently caught up with Sydney designers and Tait collaborators bernabeifreeman. The Terrace collection, created for Tait by Rina Bernabei and Kelly Freeman, is not only one of our most-recent collaborations but also embodies our life-long passion for beautiful metalwork and Australian-designed outdoor furniture. Incorporating a selection of planters, tables and trays, including the Terrace Plant Stand, Terrace Table, Geo Trays and Terrace Tray, Terrace carries the hallmarks of their signature approach to patterning and perforation.
In our meeting, we took the time to ask them about their practice and the inspiration behind Terrace. We especially wanted to know the inspiration behind their entrancing pattern-making which feels mysteriously close to home. Here’s what they had to say…
“With Terrace we tried to capture the beauty of the afternoon veranda. We referenced old wicker, woven chairs, and forms of cane ‘plantation’ outdoor furniture. We also referenced the chequered tablecloths in the perforated grid trays,” say Rina and Kelly.
Through their patterning, bernabeifreeman capture both the memory and emotion of domestic textures and decorative surfaces. “And we use modern manufacturing methods and digitilisation to further this language and make it accessible,” they say.
“Our patterns start with words, images and emotions, we then start sketching and [digital] drawing. There are literally hundreds of iterations of the idea, until we feel it has met the ‘feeling’ we are after.
“Because of our long experience with sheet metal manufacturing, when we design and develop our patterns we are highly aware of their interpretation into metal, and how this will be achieved on the factory floor. So spacing and hole shapes, edging, and folding requirements are really designed into the patterns from their inception.
“We are still fascinated by the play between the hardness and masculinity of the material and manufacturing process, and the delicacy or femininity of the finished product.”
When it came to collaborating with Tait, there was plenty of common ground to be found between the two parties. “We work with the same materials, we share a similar aesthetic, we both respect and love each other’s design,” say Rina and Kelly.
“When we finally came together, it really was a dream project. Tait gave us heaps of freedom to explore different areas. As designers it really was one the most supportive collaborations, and we are extremely happy with the results.
“I think most importantly from a personal perspective – they are really nice people, so a pleasure to be around.”
Well thanks bernabeifreeman, the feeling is definitely mutual!
bernabeifreeman + Waverley Mills collection
bernabeifreeman has teamed up with Waverley Mills, the oldest textile mill in Australia to launch a stunning range of luxurious throws for one of Australia’s iconic brands. The range includes alpaca, superfine merino, recycled and a baby range.
With Waverley, bernabeifreeman continue their signature style and philosophy to produce beautiful, quality items that explore the significance of products in our lives and create modern day heirlooms that bring meaning to the domestic interior.
The designs for the new Recycled and City range are recognisably bold, geometric and playful and are a new take on traditional plaid blankets and the weaving process and reflect the signature bernabeifreeman patterns.
Images by Nina Hamilton
The body of work, Digital Craft, explores the similarities between craft practices and digital fabrication, but moreover how craft can be combined with digital methods to produce hybridised objects.
Through a series of vessels, bernabeifreeman examine the contradictions and similarities of traditional hand basket weaving techniques and 3D digital fabrication. The vessels are produced through digital design and fabrication, then completed through hand craftwork. The digitally designed and fabricated components are themselves an exploration of both traditional and emerging new manufacturing methods.
The resulting designs question the role of digital design within the craftsphere, how these seemingly different paradigms work together, and how the values of one lets us appreciate the other. The finished objects are unique, rich in memory and have a high perceived value to the end user as well as an emotional attachment.
bernabeifreeman have admired ISM Objects and the design of Simon and Celina since University days. Their Madame Ruby lighting design was an inspiration and an example we often presented teaching Industrial Design students.
The opportunity to collaborate with ISM after establishing our own design brand was really exciting and we are honoured to have an ongoing relationship with them.
Available here
Ziggy images by Mike Baker (photography) & Heather Nette-King (stylist)
bernabeifreeman with Designer Rugs have designed a new contemporary hand-knot collection. Referencing traditional textile crafts, Bernabei and Freeman tap into rich intersection of memory, domesticity, narrative and the feminine, elevating their work into the hearts of their audience as might a hand-crafted heirloom.
This rug collection features 8 hand-knot, wool rugs. Selected designs feature pure silk, all of which can be custom coloured or sized.
Several designs in this collection can be hand-tufted, suitable for residential or commercial applications. bernabeifreeman can be commissioned to create one-off unique designs for specific project needs
For the full range and contact details;
A selection of custom design and lighting include;
The Cellar Bar, HBO+EMTB
Private residence, The Distillery Studio
The Establishment Hotel, Peony Chandelier
The Eastern Hotel, SJB Interior design
The Exchange Hotel, Cate Young Interior Design
A d.i.y flat packed pendant shadewhere the owner also becomes the designer.
Simply pop out whatever holes you like from the pre-perforated flat packed panels to create your very own unique pendant light. With hundreds of designs possible the Pop Light embodies a new playful direction for lighting.
An exploration into the crossover between 3d printing and hand weaving.
Lighting and furniture products by bernabeifreeman;
Seams Lights
Lace Light
Totem pods
Cloth Table
Brodie Table
Images by Dieu Tan
