Discarded books resurrected in a unique furniture range by Australian designer on the rise, Samantha Parsons
March 3rd, 2008
An obsession with books has led Samantha Parsons, interior designer, to extend the shelf life of old hardback books, by altering their guise and role.
‘Bookscreen’ (pictured below), was the designer’s first creative foray using discarded hardbacks as the foundation material, and forms part of her new product range – Family of Sam.
In a process that required extreme dedication, books were first dissembled, then covers arranged based on colour inspiration, in either a pattern, graduated, or a single hue, employing traditional book binding techniques.
The resulting personality-laden privacy screen or room divider, is an “individual exploration into colour composition, building on the qualities of the original books,” says Parsons.
Contemplating the potential of leftover pages, gave rise to the youngest Family of Sam addition, the ‘Book Block Table’. Surprisingly sturdy, there’s the option of placing your own tray, plate or reading matter on top.
Playing on the notion of library catalogues or book collections, the tables can be created from various book categories – atlases, photography, art, cookery, story books, to name a few.
Heights vary for ‘Book Block Tables’ according to the type of books used.
Books can be selected to suit a specific application, such as food in a café, indexes for a study.
We keenly await the next chapter as Parsons plots to add to the clan. Family of Sam is available from Format Furniture or for custom orders contact the designer.
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