Sydney InDesign 2017 Wrap Up

The Luxmy Group joined in Sydney InDesign over weekend to celebrate our 20 years of operation. Our showcase included screens, upholstery, tables and joinery across our brands.

Thanks for the support! As a recap or if you weren’t able to make it, we have a few photos from the show. It was also a pleasure to have Caren Elliss, Adelaide-based designer of the Splinter Collection, to join us and meet visitors.

Our works at the exhibition included:

– Screens in various shapes and finishes including 120 degree, curved, upholstered, PET board and veneer
– Funhouse Teacup range including the Teacup, Venti and Sugarbowl
– Splinter Collection including the table and low stool

Sustainable Design is in the Details

In today’s business landscape, environmentally designed workspaces are quickly becoming the norm as younger generations step into more managerial roles and begin to transform the business environment to align with their personal ideologies. And what’s often a top priority for our next generation of executives? You’ve got it – green initiatives.

For interior designers, project managers or business leaders looking to stay ahead of the curve and help grow their brand, reputation and bottom line through sustainability, here are some simple tips to consider:

Integrate Sustainable Wood

The Australian Government has implemented a Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and Australian Forest Standard (AFS) to ensure true sustainable forest management practices to protect the 400,000 hectares of Australian forests.

When considering wood based furniture like desking or common room tables, opting for FSC or AFS certified products ensures you are sourcing your design solutions from a sustainably managed forest. Now that’s a breath of fresh air!

Choose Furniture Solutions with Low VOC Foam

What are VOCs? Good question! Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a family of harmful which can be released into indoor air from a number of sources, including workplace furniture (flame retardants and formaldehyde being quite common). While some VOCs are more toxic than others, the health risks associated will depend on the levels you are exposed to, the length of time you are exposed, and your individual sensitivity to toxicity.

Considering the fact that the workplace has become a second home to employees and executive’s alike, introducing low VOC furniture into your workspace will be an instrumental step towards driving a greener and healthier work environment.

Martindale Count

The Martindale test is a measure of the durability of a fabric. The tests are undertaken on upholstery fabrics to check their suitability for various uses – whether this be to ensure longevity for your home or small-business or commercial furniture solutions. The test is also known as the ‘rub test’ and essentially tests for abrasion resistance.

Essentially, the Martindale test involves rubbing a piece of worsted wool cloth in a circular motion on a flat mounted fabric sample. The number of cycles the test fabric can withstand before showing a change in appearance (such as thread breakage or pilling) is its abrasion rating. At the beginning of the test checks are made every 1,000 cycles, and if no wear is apparent, the fabric is put through another 1,000 rub cycle, and so forth. Here is a basic breakdown of what the Martindale count means in terms of the durability of your furniture solutions:

Light use: 6000 – 9000 double rubs
Medium use: 9000 – 30,000 double rubs
Heavy use: 30,000+ double rubs

Depending on your design needs, a high Martindale count can go a long way in reducing your environmental impact and getting the most out of your budget.

Whether you are own and operate a small business, or manage a major enterprise operation – supporting green initiatives is easier than you think. All it takes is a little information, and a firm commitment to growing a healthier planet, by building a sustainable workplace.

New Product Release: FUNHOUSE OTTOMAN

Funhouse hails from the LuxStudio team. These ottomans are light weight and versatile. The simple shapes combined with carefully stitched lining bring out the best of chosen fabric textures and colours.

Get to know the new collection in our TestFit app which includes the ottomans in a variety of our house fabric colours.

Workplace Design With the Environment in Mind

Workplace design is one of the most influential tools which can be used to help achieve business goals. The power of space to influence our energy, interaction, health, and drive is tremendous.

Not surprisingly, when we discuss the workplace of the future – sustainable design tools, products and services are quickly identified innovative solutions to help organize and implement a new way of working – with increasingly positive results to an organization’s bottom line.

How exactly do environmentally conscious choices affect your business? We’re glad you asked!

Socially.

Now that employees (and executives alike) are logging more hours at the office than ever before, they have become more immediately linked to the company they work for. For this reason, employees are more likely to enjoy more job satisfaction when they are working with an organization aligned to their own personal belief systems. Workplace sustainability instills a pride in the workforce and demonstrates an organization’s commitment to “walk the walk”.

Economically.

Sustainable workplaces help to improve productivity, reduce operational costs (through energy cost savings), and eliminate waste (using renewable and recyclable materials while also integrating actual recycling programs).

Environmentally.

Sustainable workplaces respect the planet. To ensure you are choosing design solutions that truly take environmental impact seriously, consider the following:

Shop Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) Certified

Good Environmental Choice Australia (GECA) runs Australia’s only independent, not-for-profit, multi-sector ecolabelling program. The organizations certification program has developed standards by which products and services are independently audited to ensure minimal environmental impact while also taking personal health and wellness, and social ramifications into consideration. By choosing GECA certified products, you are making socially and environmentally sustainable choices for your workplace that make a world of difference.

Do Good Business With ISO 14001 Certified Companies

ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems (EMS) provide an integrated approach to environmental management. Put environmental management at the top of your sustainability goals in order to achieve success while reducing your environmental impact.

At the end of the day, sustainable design in the workplace – is just good business. It allows you to reduce costs, increase employee health and grow your business by building a reputation that positions you as a sustainability champion!

Introducing the Talki Table

Talki is a table leg system designed to foster integration and collaboration.

The clean and simple design of the Talki system is available in three different variations: Talki is the interactive table for conversation, Walki is a high table to stand around and Wheeli is on castors. Talki comes in a multitude of shapes and sizes.

Legs are available in metal with powder coat finish or solid timber. Exclusive to Zenith.

For more information, get in touch by email.

About the designers

Lux Studio is the design arm of esteemed Australian manufacturer Luxmy Furniture. The Lux Studio products are smart, flexible and collaborative. They are able to respond to the changes in technology, new ways of working, and new environments.

Lux Studio designs and manufacturing processes are agile, lean and adaptable. All products are fully customisable and can be made in a short lead time.

Introducing the King Dome

We recently introduced the King Dome light designed by Dowel Jones, with YellowTrace, Domus, Trendland, SohoMod and StudioHome featuring the lights.

King Dome is a series of simple spun metal and rod lights available in 3 variations. Versatile in it’s application, King Dome focuses on silhouette and intersecting line with the thin metal structure creating grid like formations within spaces.

For more information, get in touch by email.

About the Designers

Dowel Jones is a young design studio operating out of Melbourne, Australia. Started in 2013 by Dale Hardiman and Adam Lynch as an extension of LAB DE STU, an award-winning independent Melbourne based design collective founded in 2011.

Keep an eye on this space for an upcoming interview with Dowel Jones!

Inside the Designer’s Studio – Max Harper

On this edition of “Inside the Designer’s Studio” we had the pleasure to chat with Max Harper, the mind behind the Corker Light Series.

Sydney born and raised, Max’s designs were discovered by Luxmy in Milan earlier this year, we have since then started this collaboration and recently launched his amazing series of lights at Sydney Indesign 2015.

Max’s interview is inspirational and unpretentious. A must read.

1) Tell us a bit about you.

I was born and raised in Sydney, after some initially studying drafting, I decided to go to RMIT to study industrial design where I kept my head down and ended up being a finalist for the prestigious graduate of the year award (GOTYA).

During my time at university I was lucky enough to do an exchange program in Foshan China, a large southern manufacturing hub. The time spent there really changed my perspective. So after I graduated I moved to Guangzhou a large city near Foshan, and spent a couple of years there working in 3D interactive design.

After seeing a colleague of mine do really well in Milan I wondered if that was a possibility for me so I came back to Sydney and have been doing lighting ever since.

I’ve been lucky enough to land an award at Melbourne Fringe Furniture for my Corker series in 2014, from that success I was invited to show in Milan as a part of Melbourne Movement. Melbourne Movement is a collective started by Kjell Grant to showcase Melbourne trained emerging designers in Milan during design week.

I’m currently doing projects with Australian manufacturers, as well as developing my own products and brand.

2) How did you get into design?

When I was younger I always thought I would be an architect, I ended up studying drafting and worked for an engineering firm and found out what the construction industry was all about and realised that it really wasn’t for me. I always had affinity for furniture and for products so I’d thought I’d give industrial design a go and I haven’t looked back since.

3) What would you be if not a designer?

It would be hard to think as myself as anything else, I’m quite technical so I believe I would dedicate my time to finding out how to do other things other than products and processes work.

4) How would you describe your workspace?

It’s a little crowded, it’s a desk at home which changes roles depending on what I’m doing. I do concept development work there so I keep my sketchbook, computer for all my detailing, my 3D printer for mould making , lots of silicone and resin casting supplies.

5) What’s your favourite City and why?

My favourite city would be Hong Kong. I’ve been there about a dozen times after living in China for a couple of years. It really is a vibrant city of ultra-convenience where everything works, locals are friendly and there is always something new to discover. When you get tired of the city it’s really easy to get out and explore nature.

6) What advice would you give to a younger you?

I would tell myself that the KISS principle is golden, and try to work smart not hard.

7) What gets you excited?

Innovative Eco-Materials.

8) What turns you off?

6000K or cool daylight LED light globes.

9) What sound or noise do you love?

The sound of rain on a tin roof, the house I grew up in has a tin roof and I used to love falling asleep when it was raining.

10) What sound or noise do you hate?

The sound of my alarm in the morning, and waking up to that sound.

11) What’s your favourite word?

Fastidious – for me it’s fun to say, and I love its meaning.

12) What’s your least favourite word?

Congeal – it just conjures up graphic visualizations for me.

13) If you have to wake up in someone else’s body, who that person would be?

(Does anyone have a good answer to this question?)

The assistant of Marc Newson, I probably wouldn’t want the stress of running his studio but rather be an onlooker and see how the projects develop as an outsider.