A global field guide to design, (life)style and secret finds est. 2007
Sydney design: Mr & Mrs White
It's been a while since I posted about Sydney design, and when I stumbled across the latest work from Mr & Mrs White, I couldn't wait to have a wee chat with them. Mr & Mrs White run a furniture and textiles business from their showroom and workshop in Mona Vale, on Sydney's northern beaches.
Mr White makes all the furniture, from beds, tables and desks to chairs and drawer units. Everything is made using solid new and recycled timber. Their textiles range is also handmade and includes a range of linen, leather and hide pieces. I really love their beautifully simple linen duvet cover!
Read on for my wee chat with them about their work, local area and dream collaborators.
What's the best-seller in your collection?
In the furniture range our best seller is the beam bed. It has been really popular for both adults and kids. In the textiles range, our best seller is the tan leather cushion.
What services do you offer?
Other than our range of furniture and textiles, Mr White also specialises in custom joinery. From floating drawer units, benches and hearths he can build a unique timber feature for your home or business.
Who or what influences your design?
We are really influenced by Japanese and European design. We both love the simplicity of Japanese design and the Scandinavians bring function and beauty together so well. Its funny, I tend to be inspired by designers not in my field. For example, I LOVE all of the futagami products and Nathan finds himself more drawn to architecture blogs as opposed to furniture ones. Some of his favourite are Matthew Hilton, Nicolas Schuybroek, George Nakashima and Amee Allsop. Anyone who makes simple look easy and effortless is inspiration to us.
Can you tell us about your background?
Mr. White did his apprenticeship as a shipwright and I studied graphic design. Nathan always loved working with timber - he grew up making wooden shoe boxes in his Pop's workshop. After finishing his apprenticeship he worked as a cabinet maker for a few years and on the side started making furniture for our home.
After studying I found myself craving a creative outlet that didn't involve a computer screen. My nan bought me a second-hand sewing machine and I fell in love with it. I think I found it really satisfying seeing a lump of fabric transform into something functional and beautiful.
Tell us a wee secret about Mona Vale.
We are situated in the industrial zone of Mona Vale but we are only a five minute walk to Mona Vale shops. Across the road from us on Darley Street there is an awesome little cafe called Coffee Brothers. Great coffee for us and our daughter Selah loves their berry smoothies!
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
We are currently working on a new range of furniture in collaboration with architect Amee Allsop. Amee is currently living in NYC, so the range will be fusing together 'the city and the sea'....shhhh.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
We are pretty excited to be working with Amee Allsop. We actually love working with other designers - we never want to be just a one-man show. I think the best design comes from team work and being apart of a creative community.
Mr & Mrs White3/81 Darley Street Mona Vale NSW SydneyTel. 0431 914 814 Opening hours:Friday 10am to 4pmSaturday 10am to 4pmor by appointment.
Photography by Luisa Brimble and styling by Stef Ingram
It's been a while since I posted about Sydney design, and when I stumbled across the latest work from Mr & Mrs White, I couldn't wait to have a wee chat with them. Mr & Mrs White run a furniture and textiles business from their showroom and workshop in Mona Vale, on Sydney's northern beaches.
Mr White makes all the furniture, from beds, tables and desks to chairs and drawer units. Everything is made using solid new and recycled timber. Their textiles range is also handmade and includes a range of linen, leather and hide pieces. I really love their beautifully simple linen duvet cover!
Read on for my wee chat with them about their work, local area and dream collaborators.
What's the best-seller in your collection?
In the furniture range our best seller is the beam bed. It has been really popular for both adults and kids. In the textiles range, our best seller is the tan leather cushion.
What services do you offer?
Other than our range of furniture and textiles, Mr White also specialises in custom joinery. From floating drawer units, benches and hearths he can build a unique timber feature for your home or business.
Who or what influences your design?
We are really influenced by Japanese and European design. We both love the simplicity of Japanese design and the Scandinavians bring function and beauty together so well. Its funny, I tend to be inspired by designers not in my field. For example, I LOVE all of the futagami products and Nathan finds himself more drawn to architecture blogs as opposed to furniture ones. Some of his favourite are Matthew Hilton, Nicolas Schuybroek, George Nakashima and Amee Allsop. Anyone who makes simple look easy and effortless is inspiration to us.
Can you tell us about your background?
Mr. White did his apprenticeship as a shipwright and I studied graphic design. Nathan always loved working with timber - he grew up making wooden shoe boxes in his Pop's workshop. After finishing his apprenticeship he worked as a cabinet maker for a few years and on the side started making furniture for our home.
After studying I found myself craving a creative outlet that didn't involve a computer screen. My nan bought me a second-hand sewing machine and I fell in love with it. I think I found it really satisfying seeing a lump of fabric transform into something functional and beautiful.
Tell us a wee secret about Mona Vale.
We are situated in the industrial zone of Mona Vale but we are only a five minute walk to Mona Vale shops. Across the road from us on Darley Street there is an awesome little cafe called Coffee Brothers. Great coffee for us and our daughter Selah loves their berry smoothies!
What can we look forward to seeing from you in the future?
We are currently working on a new range of furniture in collaboration with architect Amee Allsop. Amee is currently living in NYC, so the range will be fusing together 'the city and the sea'....shhhh.
Who would be your dream collaborator?
We are pretty excited to be working with Amee Allsop. We actually love working with other designers - we never want to be just a one-man show. I think the best design comes from team work and being apart of a creative community.
Mr & Mrs White
3/81 Darley Street
Mona Vale NSW Sydney
Tel. 0431 914 814
Opening hours:
Friday 10am to 4pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
or by appointment.
Photography by Luisa Brimble and styling by Stef Ingram
