COLLECTION FEATURE INTERVIEWS

Playful, Timeless Design – DesignByThem

Words by Thida Sachathep

Photography by Pete Daly

Having recently celebrated its twelfth year designing and producing authentic and innovative Australian furniture lighting and accessories, DesignByThem has a growing curated collection that is uniquely Australian and has been specified worldwide.

Established in 2007 by industrial designers Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis, DesignByThem has always endeavoured to create and produce unique, novel designs for design enthusiasts all around the world. With a multitude of extensive collections spanning furniture, accessories and lighting, DesignByThem consistently presents products with a timeless aesthetic and a distinct playfulness. In addition to balancing aesthetics, materiality and functionality, the studio also prides itself on being environmentally conscious.

Designed by the studio’s founders, the Confetti Armchair, Coffee Table, Planter, Round Bar Table, Side Table, Ottoman and Stool showcases the charm and appeal of 100% recycled plastic in refined forms and bold textures.

Understanding that collaboration can be the foundation of producing striking designs, the studio has worked with various designers and suppliers over the years. As a result, collaborative projects and the studio’s in-house collections have received numerous accolades – including, most recently, winning a Good Design Award and being shortlisted in the 2019 INDE.Awards.

Showcasing over 30 signature pieces at the studio’s first European solo exhibition, the Milan Design Week 2019 also marked the international debut of the DL Range.

The pinnacle of 2019 for DesignByThem includes the Dion Lee x Gibson Karlo collaboration, as well as the studio’s first European Exhibition at this years’ Milan Design Week. The Dion Lee Collection, in particular, marked DesignByThem’s first interdisciplinary collaboration – unifying concepts in fashion with industrial design principles. What started out initially as a conversation between Dion Lee and DesignByThem’s founders three years ago came to fruition when the DL Lounge Chair and DL bench were both launched at the Milan Design Week – undeniably celebrating the timeless and sculptural details of Gibson Karlo’s (named after designers Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis) work.

Referencing the iconic Bauhaus slung leather furniture description, the DL Bench and the DL Lounge chair are available in three steel frame colours, chrome, red-gloss, black-texture and can be upholstered in three different Italian saddle leather colours, beige, black and olive.

As a true advocate for Australian design, DesignByThem has supplied products to leading companies and institutions, including the Sydney Opera House, Airbnb and Google. Recently commemorating over a decade of Australian designed and made products, DesignByThem has continued to remain at the forefront across the design industry.

DesignByThem has always endeavoured to create and produce unique, novel designs for design enthusiasts all around the world.

Armchairs, lounges, sofas, ottomans and booths make up the Cabin Collection designed by Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis. It utilises a series of upholstered ‘log-shapped’ modules to invigorate a playful interior whether at home or at work.