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In Focus – Kett Furniture
Standing sentinel on a hill in Victoria’s bucolic Yarra Valley, Gruyere Farmhouse is a testament not only to the vision and commitment of architect Rachcoff Vella – which overcame planning constraints, a global pandemic and extreme weather conditions to bring the home to life – but to the clients, who retained their singular dream over the five long years from Gruyere’s conceptualisation to realisation.
The site unfolds through a series of spaces, evoking the feeling of a traditional European farmhouse. A protected courtyard is framed by three wings, each marked by different materiality, but united by undulating and pitched roof forms. The result is a striking architectural form that sits harmoniously and unobtrusively in the landscape.
Gruyere Farmhouse warranted a curated approach to its furnishings, one that reflected its deep connectedness to place. Key pieces by Melbourne-based Kett Furniture were selected not only for their exceptional detailing but because of the brand’s aligned philosophy. “Through meticulous design and material choices, we feel our pieces collaborate beautifully with architecture to create homes that have a profound connection to the landscape,” says Justin Hutchinson, Kett’s founder and design director. “I think part of the reason that this project is so successful is that there is a true alignment in vision between the architecture and interiors and the furnishings.”
The expansive open-plan kitchen and dining space, for example, is anchored by the oak Portland Arc dining table, part of a collection that celebrates solid timber and gentle curves. The collection is inspired by the tones, textures and silhouettes of the historic Portland region on Victoria’s south-west coast. The table is complemented by the graceful organic form of Johanna High Back dining chairs in solid ash. Johanna, too, was inspired by another iconic Victorian locale: a small enclave that straddles coast and country west of Cape Otway.
The landscape has been Justin’s inspiration since he established Kett in 2017. “We want to capture the essence of Australian landscapes and translate them into distinctive furniture with a clear story of place,” he says. “Our collections are honest in their use of materials and united in their craft, and we’re proud to work with local makers.” Kett is available exclusively at Cosh Living.
