Made in NZ: conscientious furniture

Supporting New Zealand design and placing more importance on where products come from, how they are made, and the ethos behind them is becoming central to the way we choose and buy furniture. And more so in the younger generations who are embarking on purchases of their first and second homes.

“Those younger generations are definitely thinking more about the types of products they buy and are looking to invest in pieces that will last, rather than cheaper throw-away items that will last a year or so before being discarded and replaced,” Tim Webber of Tim Webber Design says.

Tim’s designs fit well with this desire for quality with a focus on craftsmanship and an elegantly simple aesthetic. The clean lines and contemporary style of his ranges have a distinct and instant visual appeal. He describes it as a stripped back aesthetic, where the design and materials speak for themselves. They are devoid of frivolous detail, and clear in their function.

“Part of our aim as a business is to help people build a whole environment within the spaces in their homes with a combination of products that don’t compete with one another, but rather complement each other,” Tim says.

The signature items in the Tim Webber collections are generally made with a combination of powder coated steel and European birch, materials that are integrated subtly, complementing each other in the pared back design details.

“There’s definitely a shift happening in the furniture market with people really wanting to know more about where the product they are buying comes from. People are wanting to engage more with the background of what they buy, and the design ethos,” Tim says.
 

“I think this is where the renewed interest in New Zealand design stems from; people want to be able to form some link with the designer, and the story of the piece. But it’s more than that; we’re seeing clients taking on a more considered approach to the value of buying quality products and spending more on furniture that will last.”

And with pieces that last comes an ability to hand furniture down through the generations, another aspect of the evolving furniture market that has piqued Tim’s interest, and ties in with people’s desire to invest in elegantly simple pieces that stand the test of time.

Tim Webber Design also works with a selection of global designers whose ranges complement the New Zealand-made offerings.

Get in touch with Tim Webber Design on ArchiPro here or visit their Mt Eden, Auckland showroom.