For Sarah Wolfendale of Melbourne-based Formed Studio, the collaboration with cofounder Anja Grant designing homes, restaurants and retail spaces embraces a crafted response to every project and a shared enthusiasm for interiors that 'play with colour, texture, scale and mood'.
More Space: Furniture is such a strong form of personal expression, what is the selection process for your interiors?
Sarah Wolfendale: We look for ways to bring new spaces to life, and to give old ones a new voice through both the design and the furniture pieces we select. Starting with the overall concept and aesthetic, we look for ways the furniture can complement and amplify our design. We like to play with colour, texture, scale and mood to create a coherent and well-crafted response tailored to each project.
What is a favourite piece of design and why did it catch your eye?
The B&B Italia Tobi-Ishi table is a stunning piece that looks as impactful in 2-pac as it does in marble. It’s a great example of form transcending finish and is equally sculptural as it is functional.
What pieces are on your go-to list?
B&B Italia Tufty-Time Sofa is a great looking sofa which suits almost any space, as well as Le Bambole Sofa with is one of the few examples of a collection with an armchair that is just as good as the sofa. We love the Arflex Marenco 2018 Sofa which has personality and looks good in any material, as well as the SP01 Royce Armchair that has a fun sculptural form. We also love anything by Pietro Russo including the Ziggy Coffee Table for Baxter. Acerbis is a favourite and the detail on the Maxwell Table leg is exquisite, and finally the Foscarini Buds 2 Table Lamp, what can we say it's just beautiful!
Kew Apartment, and following, by Formed Studio. All photos © Shannon McGrath.
"We look for ways to bring new spaces to life, and to give old ones a new voice through both the design and the furniture pieces we select."
Sarah Wolfendale, Formed Studio
Sarah Wolfendale and Anja Grant, cofounders of Formed Studio. Photo © James Thomas.
Kew Apartment, Melbourne, and following. All photos © Shannon McGrath.
"We like to play with colour, texture, scale and mood to create a coherent and well-crafted response tailored to each project."
Sarah Wolfendale, Formed Studio
Beyond trends, furniture has a way of defining the moment, making us happy and influencing the way we live. Can you describe a recent project that has had a transformative affect?
We have recently been renovating a 1970s apartment and have had a lot of fun playing with form and colour and reinterpreting 70s design. The lounge room features the Camaleonda sofa by B&B Italia in tones of orange velvet, as we wanted a landscape sofa that captured the era of the building and could assist in dividing the space into different zones.
The brief itself was to turn up the personality through pattern, texture and colour in homage to the 70s. The existing space was neutral in tone and we have used a contrasting palette of greens and oranges to set the scene. Key to creating this was the inclusion of iconic furniture pieces, the hero being the Camaleonda sofa. In velvet burnt orange tones it is immediately transformative. Dividing a large living space, it creates separate living zones to suit the varying needs of guests, or for entertaining large groups of friends – style, comfort and flexibility in one.
Thanks Sarah, great to catch up with you.
