Holly Macdonald
HG INSIDER
60 | AUSTRALIAN HOUSE & GARDEN
N
ovember saw a visit to our shores
by an esteemed name in mid-
century furniture: Kai Kristiansen
(above). Born in 1929, the Danish
designer has created many classic
pieces, including an iconic range of
cabinets called Entré. Dating from the
late 1950s,the collection was in
production for just 10 years.
It now returns thanks to the
efforts of retailer Anton
Assaad, founder of Great
Dane, who met with
Kristiansen and convinced
him to resume production.
The original plans were lost, so
Kristiansen obtained Entré units from
auction houses and painstakingly
replicated the design. “It’s not exactly
identical to the original but if anything,
the quality and handiwork are evenbetter, because technical materials
and tools are better today,” he says.
The original materials, primarily
teak and pine, have been replaced by
European oak (above) and American
walnut. Sustainability is all-important:
asked about the state of the world’s
timber stocks, Kristiansen is “a little bitnervous”, he confesses. “Beautiful wood
does not grow very fast.”
He is, however,moving with the times.
Next up is a range of high-quality, lower-
priced flatpacked timber furniture that
uses a “mathematical” approach to
reduce manufacturing weight and freight.Cabinet decisions
Legendary Danish furniture designer Kai Kristiansen has
resurrected a classic line and it debuts in Australia.NEW
COLLECTABLESA new column about pieces that
are destined to become classics.
This month, Raymond Scott,
director of Sydney design hub
Workshopped, shares the Leve.
“The Leve chair is a great
example of Australian
bentwood furniture. Designed
by Sydney-based Gary Galego
in 1999, it’s ergonomic and
comfortable, formal and casual
at the same time, and was
nominated by Harry Seidler
as one of the best designs of- Originally made from
spotted gum, the chair was
first manufactured in rural
NSW and priced at $1999.
Subsequently, manufacturing
took place in Lithuania and
China, using ash, with a
pricepoint of almost $900.”
Production of the Leve has
ceased, sadly, but that means
you can grab remaining stock
at the bargain price of $480.
It’s sure to be an appreciated
asset. http://www.workshopped.
com.au.
Kai #42 chair (left), released in
1960 and produced today by
Miyazaki Chair Factory, Japan.WOOD YOU? TEXTURE AND PATTERN ARE KING
IN TILE MEGA MART’S NEW GEPPETTO RANGE OF
TIMBER WALL TILES. EVEN BETTER, THEY ARE
SUSTAINABLY PRODUCED AND, WITH HANDY, SELF-
ADHESIVE BACKING, ULTRA CONVENIENT. FROM
$24/280X280MM SHEET. TILEMEGAMART.COM.AU. > Text by John McDonald (Kristiansen, Leve).Entré cabinets,
priced from $2750,
available from Great
Dane; greatdane
furniture.com.au.