The history of Matteograssi is as rich as the country where it was founded. In 1880, Matteograssi began producing saddles, bridles, reins and other leather equipment in Mariano Comense, Italy, north of Milan. The company quickly evolved due to the increase in industry in the area, and started producing furniture by the end of WW2. Because of their background in saddlery, their materials of choice included leather, coach hide, wood, glass, and steel. In 1978, the family decided to establish the company Matteograssi and develop a furniture line of its own.

The Matteograssi collection has been created by famed designers like Tito Agnoli, Piero Lissoni, Guglielmo Ulrich, Mauro Lipparini and Rodolfo Dordoni (pictured above).  These designers have helped to shape the image of the company and guided the direction of the Matteograssi.

Because of the craftsmanship and materials used, Matteograssi has been a popular choice for commercial designers and architects for use in public spaces. Their first commercial applications included lounges Fiumicino (Rome), Frankfurt and Malpensa (Milan) airports. However, their designs have been equally popular for residential design. They have now extended their designs and created a softer feel for their furniture, experimenting with fabrics and materials other than their traditional leather. Matteograssi continues to be an innovator in modern Italian-made furniture, producing and distributing accessible and diverse designs around the world.

View Matteograssi pieces at HFOC.

With the Australian Timber Awards, we are seeing more diverse and innovative designs with the use of wood. The awards are an annual national competition, showcasing outstanding timber designs in the design industry. The aim of the awards is to promote timber as a varied material with a proud heritage. Check out the Australian Timber Awards 2012 Magazine for more information.

In interiors, there are many characteristics to consider when purchasing wood or wood furniture. Here are some tips and things to look out for when choosing your wood:

Hardness: When furniture is produced, there are both hardwoods and softwoods used, whereas hardwoods are flowering trees and softwoods are conifers. Although most hardwoods are harder than most softwoods, there are exceptions. In most cases, hardwoods are a better investment because the wood is harder to obtain. However, this is not always the case. A more practical way to identify wood is by its grain and colour.

Wood grain and color: The cell structure of a tree determines the grain that you are able to see. If the cells are large, the texture of the wood is slightly rough and a filler may be needed to smooth the finished piece. If the cells are small, the texture is smooth and don’t require a lot of finishing. Oak, walnut, ash, mahogany, rosewood, and teak are all open-grained woods.  Beech, birch, maple, cherry, satinwood, gum, and are close-grained woods.

Things to consider:

1. How old the piece you are purchasing, and what is its purpose? Some types of furniture are made with specific woods — ash, for instance, is widely used in bentwoods — and most new furniture is made with woods not used for older furniture. Consider the care and upkeep of your piece and research what is necessary to keep it in the best condition.

2. What is the colour? Although colour and intensity can vary from wood to wood, the quality should not. Some woods have very distinctive colour characteristics, such as rosewood. If the colour is off or looks sickly, the quality of your furniture will be, too.

3.  Is the wood open- or close-grained? Are the pores evenly distributed, or are they concentrated at the growth rings? Is the grain straight or wavy, mottled or swirled? These factors will determine the quality and longevity of your piece.

There are many wood design resources available online, including Wood Solutions and Timber.net.au, with helpful information such as details on species, application, technical data, sustainable uses, forest management, fire safety, finishes and more.

Simo Heikkilä

Finnish born Interior Architect and Furniture Designer Simo Heikkilä is known by his peers as a humorous personality that loves design and to help young and aspiring designers. He is an avid campaigner for local design and production and criticises the mass production of goods produced by the global industry.

Designs of Simo Heikkilä

After setting up his studio in 1971, he began producing popular Scandinavian style designs including modern furniture and interior accessories. He has won a number of prestigious design awards including the Pro Finlandia Medal in 2003 and the Kaj Franck Design Prize in 2011.

In 1989, he received a long-term grant, which enabled him to create his famed experimental work. The results of this work continue to be used in his products today. His material of choice is wood on furniture pieces, such as the Divan Cane Lounger. His extensive experience extends to teachings in wood carving and working as the head of the wood studio at the University of Art and Design Helsinki.

Divan Cane Chair by Simo Heikkilä

Simo Heikkilä’s furniture is known for their simplistic designs, quality and versatility. His ability to create lightness and functionality in his pieces make him a favourite among international interior designers. He is an ongoing supporter of modern and sustainable design, making him a forerunner in modern furniture production.

Copper Lighting in Stefan Söderberg’s Home

When many people think of copper, pennies, pipes or kitchen condiment jars usually come to mind. However, copper is becoming increasingly popular in the world of Interior Design and Architecture because of its warmth and lustre. It is very easily incorporated into spaces of all aesthetics including modern and minimalistic spaces, traditional designs, or mid-century inspired rooms. Copper can be easily paired with woods of all shades, stones of all textures, and furniture of all styles.

Copper Wall

Copper sheet is very light weight, making it easy to work with, which is why many builders, artisans and industrial designers opt to use it. It is visually attractive and extremely durable, especially when used in high-traffic areas. You can see this tested in the two bronze baptistery doors at the Duomo in Florence, Italy, where they have been on display since 1423 AD. Many design materials and products are now being produced with the cost-effective and luxurious looking material. It is being used in details like lighting, fireplaces, water fountains and even walls and ceilings.

Copper Bath

As copper begins to age it will develop a patina, which is an integral feature of the material. As it continues to weather, the original copper glow will slowly change to a warm brown and eventually lead to a distinctive green colour. Copper can easily been cleaned with a variety of methods to help keep it stay it’s original beautiful sheen.

Check out HFOC’s copper pieces for inspiration and to add shine to your space.

Eclectic style is a term used when several interior design styles or elements that are from different periods and origins are used in one space. Often it is a beautiful mish-mash of creatively curated pieces that connects a person to a space. It can combine styles like mid-century modern, contemporary, Colonial, Art Deco, Moroccan, Scandinavian, and more. Many people who create eclectic spaces have a deep love and understanding of each element they bring to the room. Perhaps they purchased a piece of furniture on holiday, received it when a loved one had passed, or they simply know the story of the piece and how it came to be. Their reasons to bring each piece to their space helps to create a room that they love.

One of our favourite Pinterest pin boards is our eclectic spaces board. There are thousands of creative eclectic spaces to be found for interior design inspiration. When creating an eclectic space, keep these key points in mind:

• Combine pieces that have a likeness, but do not match
• Consider furniture from different eras, origins and materials
• Add colourful accents like art or textiles to tie in larger pieces
• Fill up your space – eclectic design is based on the idea that more is more
• Play with different textures, from glass and metal to wallpaper and fabrics
• Include great lighting to highlight your space
• Have fun with it and love every piece

Many people only consider a room to be a design success when it is perfectly coordinated, when furniture is accurately to scale, and if the pieces are all logically connected to the period of the room.  Where mainstream design is thought to be a melting pot of elements, perfecting combining all ingredients, eclectic design is a tossed salad, combining tastes and textures that work in perfect harmony. Eclectic style is appealing to the eye and that is why it is such a great success.

With the increase of small living spaces, vertical gardens, like the ones constructed by Joost (pronounced “yoast”), are becoming more and more popular with both home owners and businesses. Vertical gardens are popular for both aesthetic and practical purposes. They are known to assist in reducing stress, improve air quality, provide natural building insulation and help with sound absorption. They are also linked biophilia, the bond between humans and plants. It is suggested that plants positively effect our body and mind when they are present in our living space.

Other great benefits of vertical gardening include:

- Adds visual drama

- Reduces the need for space that horizontal gardening requires

- Much easier on the knees and back when gardening

- Helps to conserve water

- Easier weed control

- General aeration of plants is more efficient

- Plants are less accessible to diseases and pests

Dutch-born Joost Bakker is the brains behind Joost. He is a fifth-generation tulip farmer turned industrial green space designer. The Joost vertical garden is constructed from raw Australian steel. The rusted patina and terracotta pots fit a number of different applications and spaces. The interchangeable shelves have both holes cut out for pots and flat shelves for all your gardening needs. The units can stand alone, attach to a wall or be combined with other units.

With the benefits of vertical gardening, the beautiful aesthetics and practicality, vertical gardening is (excuse our pun) on the rise.

Many designers and architects will relate to their ongoing struggle to create bold new designs and get each project off the ground. Their designs are changing the look of Melbourne and creating a buzz about Australian architecture. Their spiral shaped “Klein Bottle house” received the prestigious World Architecture Festival Award for best residential house in the world in 2009. Many of their acclaimed projects include a copper dome shaped house fitted like jig-saw puzzle and a house extension that resembles a cloud (see above).

The one hour and twenty minute documentary follows the architects over a period of one year, introducing viewers into their lives, working relationships, and vast inspiration.

You can view more projects by visiting the website of McBride Charles Ryan.

Another busy week at HFOC as we continue to add new items to our website. Today we will receive the final pieces from a consignment that we have been bringing you for the past three weeks. Be sure to check back with us online or visit our showroom to see the full range of what’s on offer.

Minimilast touches perfect for this New York beach house. Get more ideas for your own home by visiting Architectural Digest.

Designer Jennifer Post creates minimilast look at this 5000 sq. ft. penthouse in Miami’s South Beach. Visit Architectural Digest for more inspiring ideas.