Houses Australia — Issue 118 2017

STUDIO

STUDIO TRULY TRULY

• FURNITURE & PRODUCT DESIGN •

D

iscovering Studio Truly Truly was

one of those moments when you

know it is right from the start.”

It is a quote that could come from

anyone who has experienced the work

of this Australian couple, now based in

Rotterdam, the Netherlands, though here

it comes from Michael Murray, director

of Melbourne-based Rakumba Lighting.

Michael, and Rakumba, are embarking

on an extensive journey with Joel and

Kate Booy of Studio Truly Truly, after

meeting them in Milan in April 2017.

And the underlying design concept for

the new lighting collection, which is due

to be released in early 2018, is a fitting

metaphor for this rapidly emerging studio.

The forthcoming collection was

Australians Joel and Kate Booy of the

Netherlands-based Studio Truly Truly

create furniture and products that are

a “breath of fresh air,” rich with graphic

interplay and material explorations.

Words by Marcus Piper

“inspired by the way two characters look

side by side. Individually they look nothing

alike, but together they create something

interesting,” says Joel. Having studied

graphic design, the pair taught typography

in their home town of Brisbane, and it

comes as no surprise that their work projects

the inherent processes of printing and the

more graphic nature of design.

Reaching for a sample that has been

double-hit with a coat of powder, Joel is

clearly excited by the duotone – an effect

easily created through traditional printing.

He is quick to admit that “manufacturers

hate the idea, but we said ‘just do it and let

the colours mix.’ The form of the Seismic

tables is drawn from what we expected from

the process and how the graphic would

affect the outcome.”

Exploring the couple’s work further,

with projects like the Dark Matter Light

Collection or Soundskins for Dutch brand

LEFF Amsterdam, Kate adds: “There is a

visual texture that might not be visible from

a distance, but there is also the texture of

colour.” It is a layering evident in their

recent PS Sofa for IKEA, comprising a

series of patterned cushions that, in

unison, convey their own topography,

though on closer inspection reveal a

deeper consideration.

Similarly, the couple’s Daze Side Table

and Wove Chair take their understanding

of composition and graphic language to

the next level, blending form and colour

in unexpected ways. As Michael suggests:

“Studio Truly Truly’s work is a breath of

fresh air. They have obvious strengths in

graphic and industrial design and these

are complemented by their strong material

explorations. The fact that they are

Australians working internationally

aligns with us, as does their decorative

yet technical way of thinking.”

The couple drew their name from the

possibilities of growth and a commitment

to staying true to their ideals, and it will

be intriguing to watch how these two

characters progress – side by side.

studiotrulytruly.com

01

01 Joel and Kate Booy

of Studio Truly Truly.

02 The Wove Chair blends

colour and form in

unexpected ways,

presenting a delicate

graphic interplay

between the bent wires.

03 The Daze Side Tables

were inspired by hazy

light streaming through

a crack and are available

in two sizes.

04 The PS Sofa for IKEA is

reminiscent of a fluffy

cloud and allows the

user to attach cushions

as they please.

02

03 04