There’s merit in keeping your practice “small, simple and local” says Sydney-based interior designer, Arthur Koutoulas. He says it’s about a sustainable approach and maintaining quality over quantity. Koutoulas leads us through his most recent project, St Jude café in Surry Hills, which responds to a “small budget” and “rectangular shell” with completely customised results.

In the Winter 2012 issue of DQ magazine, Koutoulas’ is just one of many stories documenting the developments of the Australian architecture and design industry – across industry initiatives, trade fair events, business-related activities and more.

Also profiled in this issue is UK brand, Another Country, new to Australian shores. We explore how Another Country came into being and what the furniture design brand has to offer Australian designers and specifiers. “It’s the right combination of design quality, provenance and craftsmanship,” says founder Paul de Zwart (also the founding publisher of Wallpaper* magazine).

In business news DQ explores the rising phenomenon of crowd funding – an online platform that supports business growth through community funding. Here we pull out two excellent examples of Australian designers who have completed products and even started new businesses thanks to online crowd funding.

Going global, DQ visits major trade fairs including Milan Furniture Fair, International Furniture Fair Singapore, Manila Fame in the Philippines, as well as Brisbane in Design in Queensland. Here we bring you a special DQ pick of leading products, designers and brands from these three design-centred cities; as well as a comprehensive overview of what each region brings to its respective design communities.

Gracing the cover of DQ#46 are the eponymous Bolon sisters – Annica and Marie Eklund. While at the Milan Furniture Fair, DQ caught up with the sisters to learn about how, in just under 10 years, they turned the Bolon company around and have pioneered new directions in woven vinyl flooring internationally.

Pick up your copy of DQ today, or subscribe here, to connect with your Australian architecture, design and supply community.

Stay in contact via social media – facebook.com/designquarterly; follow the DQ Editor on Twitter @aliceblackwood