“Furniture adds uniqueness and identity to a space,” says Ross Didier. “Original pieces with a story and soul, breathing life into spaces by the most subtle of detailing.”

This is certainly true of Didier’s collection of furniture for the Rialto, Melbourne’s Vue de Monde restaurant.

The inspiration came out of Didier’s experimentation with kangaroo furs and skins last year, and ensuing discussions with project architects Elenberg Fraser and Bennett.

“We spoke about the potential for original functional furniture pieces to complement the highly concept themes for the interior landscape and how the ideals of a restaurant can be reflected through that,” says Didier of the project.

Didier’s custom-made tables and chairs reference Melbourne’s pre-European history, landscape and fauna. Armchairs are upholstered in kangaroo leather and furs – the end product of government-controlled culls. The chair frames are made of plantation-sourced oak, with tapered legs that evoke the stance of an animal.

Terra Firma tables, “versatile, rigid and functional”, are teamed with sled-based Tiller timber chairs featuring buttons that “create a look that’s suggestive of spinal detailing,” says Didier.

“My intention was to create truly Australian designed furniture that was sophisticated and embodied strong personality without being kitsch or clichéd,” he explains.

Didier also wanted restaurant patrons to think twice about local product and the life cycle of animals.

“It just seemed a bit of a waste that most of the skins were destined for shoes, footballs and European fashion houses without carrying their story,” he says of his use of kangaroo skins in the upholstery.

Hero image by Dianna Snape

Ross Didier
rossdidier.com