Annabel Hammond and Jean-François Bouton - Interstudio

At Interstudio in East Redfern I was able to speak to Jean-François Bouton (in Sales Development) formerly of Instyle Contract Textiles and Annabel Hammond (Interior Designer) previously at the Kann Finch Group.

An area that has been of particular interest to Interstudio clients has been Environmentally Sustainable Design. According to Annabel there are many factors to be considered when specifying materials – just because it’s rated as ‘recyclable’, does it have to be transported to Europe to be processed? There may be any number of companies waving a green flag, but how can you really tell?

Fortunately there‘s the Green Business Council of Australia . Unlike some ‘ESD’ websites, it doesn’t bear testimonials from businesses saying what a great sales tool membership has been. The GBCA Green Star rating is very important for Eastern States design consultancies; the ability to deal with Government Departments can depend upon it.

While there is understandably a strong Danish influence in their range, Interstudio also support student designers and are prepared to look at new designs. If they feel there is a market for it they will take it on board (usually on consignments) and promote the products to the A & D community. They have also previously allowed ‘unknowns’ to display prototypes in their showroom. A step little short of heroic, considering every student would have been banging on their door.

When asked if there was any great preference, from their perspective, for flat-pack furniture based on transport and design efficiency while also needing to ensure quality and final product is installed, delivered to site. Anything presented to clients would be assembled in advance to ensure their standards were maintained.

The standard of Scandinavian design is beyond question but even with strictly controlled local upholstering, the delay in supplying pieces can be an inconvenience for design houses. Given this situation, could there be room for more local designers at the high end of the Australian market? Hopefully, Australian design will attain a high enough standard to provide more options for Interstudio.