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.
INDESIGN is on instagram
Follow @indesignlive
A searchable and comprehensive guide for specifying leading products and their suppliers
Keep up to date with the latest and greatest from our industry BFF's!
For Aidan Mawhinney, the secret ingredient to Living Edge’s success “comes down to people, product and place.” As the brand celebrates a significant 25-year milestone, it’s that commitment to authentic, sustainable design – and the people behind it all – that continues to anchor its legacy.
The undeniable thread connecting Herman Miller and Knoll’s design legacies across the decades now finds its profound physical embodiment at MillerKnoll’s new Design Yard Archives.
At Business of Design Week 2012 in Hong Kong, the designer and architect shares about his search for newness and amusement. Rachel Lee-Leong has the story.
The internet never sleeps! Here's the stuff you might have missed
Joan Montgomery Centre PLC by Warren and Mahoney is a tour de force of education design, with high-end facilities including a swimming pool and general athletic amenities.
As the next event in a series of discussions centring on Richard Francis-Jones’ book comes to Brisbane, we hear directly from the speakers on fences, villas and the importance of critical community.