Removed from the bustle of Surry Hills’ myriad showrooms, Chippendale is the relaxed and refined cousin of the larger Sydney design precincts. Yet its prestige players also take their cue from neighbouring Redfern’s alternative attitude.

Designrepublic foregrounded sustainable environmental ethics, showcasing heritage Dutch tile manufacturer Mosa. Known for waste-free ‘cradle to cradle’ processes, the tiles offer graphic texture and subtle neutral hues, including gorgeous greys in impactful sizes. Statistics on waste levels in Australia even shocked resident pooch Pedro, while a wall quote asked, ‘How do we love all the children of all species for all time?’. A winding journey through the showroom was inspired by Papua New Guinean crocodile mythology, with The Spirit House installation exploring tribal body modification and connections to nature, created with Bleux and Black Sheep for The Project.

Despite being an innovative Italian lighting store, Viabizzuno deliberately resembles an architect’s studio. No surprise then that its new lights hail from architects Peter Zumthor and David Chipperfield, with designs often generated from hotel or restaurant projects. Speakers discussed the beauty of light at WorkLife, and architects Woods Bagot crafted an interactive experience for The Project involving blue light, sharing rituals and lift selfies.

DesignByThem’s minimal but spacious showroom proved the perfect scene for a DQ RoundTable on trend du jour Cross Industry practice, including label owners Nick Karlovasitis and Sarah Gibson, fashion designer Joe Farage, and architects Brenton Smith from Bates Smart, Richard Weinman from Woods Bagot and Kirsten Stanisich from SJB Interiors. New Australian designs included the Nuptial pendant, Alfred umbrella stand and Goulder chair, with a stylish crowd toasting their arrival with Yarra Valley’s Four Pillars Gin.

Photography by Fiona Susanto Photography
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