The most infinitesimal elements of our interiors are being noticed these days. Leaving nothing to chance in dressing our homes, workplaces, restaurants, shops and shared political environments, the material is finally getting the attention it deserves. These small—often used—components are central to our daily lives. necessary for the operation of our kitchens, our cupboards and the doors that separate these spaces, but ultimately taken for granted. Why shouldn’t our handles, knobs and pulls be considered vital home design typology? treated with the same formal and aesthetic rigor as a chair.
A growing number of boutique producers and design practices infiltrating product development have begun to embrace the app and push the boundaries of what can be considered functional. the extent to which the human hand can grasp, lift and pull a sculptural form. The possibilities seem endless and experimenting in this small format is less risky. But as with any new proposition, a degree of recognition remains critical for viability and widespread adoption. A handful of intrepid brands, many hailing from Australia, have taken up the mantle.
Take Lo & Co Interiors’ recent partnership with a renowned interior design agency based in Melbourne Tali Roth Studio: a cleverly designed collection that harnesses the surprisingly favorable formal qualities of myriad traditional Italian pasta shapes.
Hand forged from pewter, oil rubbed bronze, polished nickel and polished brass, the aptly named Al Dente collection turns the star-shaped pastina into a knob. lasagna in side grip. Orecchiette in a print thumb pull; and the olive – a complementary ingredient central to the pasta – on yet another knob.
This smart yet playful, whimsical yet sophisticated offering springs from an unexpected juxtaposition – when very unlikely ideas or things mix. What if an inherently sculptural food like pasta was turned into a piece of furniture. It has been done in the past, but often with a gimmicky, much less decisive, result.
It makes particular sense in the context of the kitchen, where this collection could take on a semiotic quality, indicating where food is stored. Move over Michael Graves and his whistling 9093 tea kettle.
“For me, the kitchen has always been the most intimate space – where life happens, memories simmer…and pasta is shared by family,” says Studio Director Tali Roth. “I wanted to create whimsical accessories – sophisticated but not too serious. Sculptural pieces that echo the folds of handmade pasta, each offering its own personality.”
To stay updated on Al Dente’s launch, visit loanandcointeriors.com.
Photo courtesy of Liam West.
