Meet the maker | grazia&co

grazia&co is dedicated to the design and manufacturing of furniture in Australia. Servicing architecture and design professionals, our signature collections marry aesthetic simplicity with a focus on detail and finish; a philosophy mirrored by our dedication to service and the ability to customise and collaborate through flexible production capabilities.

We manufacture locally in Melbourne, ensuring longevity and sustainability through classic design principles and skilled workmanship that fulfills both functional and aesthetic needs.

There is no compromise in terms of the quality of our workmanship and the materials we use. The temptation to take short cuts and substitute inferior raw materials for cost savings is not reflective of our core values.

I studied interior design at RMIT in the mid-1990s. After working in the industry, I soon realised my passion for furniture design and manufacturing. This passion was cemented after 10 years working with Gordon Mather Industries, where my appreciation for Australian-made furniture and the iconic Featherston range began. This was followed by a decade focusing on my own designs and importing.

The past 7 years have been 100% focused on sustainable furniture design that can be locally manufactured whilst meeting commercial Australian standards. In addition to this I’m campaigning to change the laws so Australian designs are protected from replication.

Collaborations give the opportunity for designers to work side by side to create a piece reflecting each individual’s design philosophy. They create diversity in our range and ensure the aesthetic of the collection is continuously evolving and moving in a direction we may have otherwise not gone, creating opportunity to appeal to new markets. To grow creatively we should appreciate and learn from others.

The world of Catherin Martin and Mokum Textiles is a world of theatre, a partnership that can be celebrated and recognised globally. The combination of eccentric patterns with strong colours offers something memorable and unique, a perfect tribute to Elvis Presley.

Working with a range that has such a strong decorative focus has certainly pushed our boundaries, which is one of the many benefits of collaborative projects. We have had the opportunity to see our pieces in a range of upholsteries we may have otherwise not gravitated to. This new look has potentially expanded the market that our furniture appeals to, showing the versatility of our furniture to work with the most simple or elaborate upholstery designs.

As a team, we are being drawn to more traditional fabrics like moquette, with a focus on earthy neutral tones paired with stronger contrasting colours to create depth.