Born of a love of contemporary design, a quest for timbers that tell a story and a couple of chocolate labradors, The Brown Dog Furniture Company creates beautifully resolved, bespoke modern furniture from salvaged and up-cycled wood.
July 2nd, 2014
In a clear departure from the one-size-fits-all furniture model, The Brown Dog Furniture Company works with clients to create custom pieces that marry reclaimed and sustainable timbers with the pure, clean lines of contemporary design.
The brainchild of design duo David and Tamara Gorrie, all Brown Dog’s pieces are hand made in their workshop in Cape Otway, Victoria. Indeed the inspiration for the launch of the company in part derives from their love of the Australian regional landscape and the timbers it yields. The Sabine table, for instance, pairs ribbons of steel with timbers, reflecting how the mountains tumble into the sea along the Victorian coastline. The name is similarly entwined with their personal story, a reference to the two labradors they have at their home (one of whom, Chuck, is pictured above, with the Eyre Dining Table).
The couple’s background in design and marketing has given them a network that keeps them in the know of when and where a batch of suitable timber becomes available. Currently they have a suite of prized and varied stock – from 300 year old French Oak reclaimed from circa 1913 wine vats at Australia’s famous Mildara winery, to 19th Century Ironbark sourced from outback Queensland Telegraph Poles and striking tiger stripe Messmate reclaimed from the Riverina.
Designer David Gorrie says, “we pride ourselves on selecting parcels of timber from Australia and overseas, like the wine barrel timbers. It’s a network of knowing who’s doing what.” “Sustainability and client empowerment is central to everything we do and reflects our belief that furniture should uplift and inspire as well as be a practical companion,” he said.
Located at 126 Regent Street, Redfern, the store stocks examples of Brown Dog’s sleek and contemporary range which has wowed interior designers, architects and consumers with its superb use of provenance rich timber and ribbon and cubed steel.
“Our range is the antithesis of today’s throwaway culture and although modern and distinctive in design, reaches back to an age of elegance and dependability. All our pieces tell a story and each one is different.”
Brown Dog’s current range includes dining, side and coffee tables, bench seats, desks, stools, high tables and other occasional pieces designed and crafted to suit individual client taste, design aesthetic and lifestyle.
The Brown Dog Furniture Company
browndogfurniture.com
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