The Importance of Locality

Locally made is a buzzword that is thrown around a lot these days. In an increasingly global design community, where products from every stretch of the planet are easily added to an online checkout, there is a romance in returning to the designer and maker around the corner. Not only does it support the independent craftsmen and creatives, it is an acknowledgement that Australian design is of exceptional – world-class – quality.

Project 82 is championing the return to local design and manufacture. Shelley Mason, the founder and director is focused on preaching the quality of Sydney designed and made furniture to audiences both local and from further afar. With an expansive showroom space in St Peters, her three in-house collections Staple&Co, The Sofa Maker and Design Kiosk sit pretty in their entirety. Shelley reimagined the space as a gallery rather than a showroom, with her collections exhibiting the flare of the city’s designers and artisans.

The Staple&Co collection features larger ‘staple’ pieces for the home which have all been designed in collaboration with a weighty line up of distinguished Australian designers, boasting the unique skills of each. Shelley’s efforts to help foster the local creative community are particularly evident with the six beautifully made recent additions.

Tom Fereday’s knack for intricate timberwork is on offer in the Japanese-infused Tatami sofa. While the attention to clean and elegant forms, inherent to the work of Australian and New Zealand designer, Cameron Foggo, is realised in the sumptuous – yet masculine – Cargo chair and the paired-back appeal of the Cleveland and Wrench tables.  Reeling the line for local design in even closer, Project 82’s own neighbour, J.W., show off their skills in precision detailing with the simple but playful edge of the Ash bench. And CM Studio inject their signature brand of coastal cool with the buttery soft – melt in your mouth – Louis sofa.

While the spectrum of pieces within Staple&Co’s collection parade the distinct aesthetic of each designer, when appreciated side by side in Shelley’s studio, the pervading attention to detail and material creates a sense of unity. Staple&Co’s extended collection is proof that buying locally is not only sustainable, supporting the environment and small-scale production, but also incredibly beautiful.