Ruawai Studio for Milan Furniture Fair

Press Release 14th March 2012
Small Town - Big City

April 2012 will see a brand new design studio based in Ruawai ( population 400) front and centre at the Milan Furniture Fair.

Just over a year ago Sydney born designer Michelle Huertas packed her bags and moved to Ruawai with her Kiwi partner, a fourth generation farmer. Today she's rushing around her small studio getting ready to take her prototype designs to Milan.

Every year thousands of designers apply to exhibit at the Mecca of design - Salone Satellite at the Salone Internazionale di Mobile (Milan Furniture Fair). This year Trēhaus (Michelle's fledgling design brand) will be one of only two New Zealand designers exhibiting.

Based on the principles of slow design, the collection includes a debut range of stools and lights made from timber and wool. Created using locally produced materials, these vibrant products are inspired by the colours and textures of Northland. Every effort has been made to reduce waste, to use sustainable materials and low to no VOC products and finishes from the design phase. The aim is always to produce the most environmentally responsible and aware product possible.

“It comes back to using traditional techniques to achieve responsible design solutions, being environmentally and socially sustainable is not a marketing technique, it's responsible business"

Local craftspeople create the hand knitted shades and seat covers for this collection, a process Michelle hopes to continue with future collections so as to make her designs socially responsible to the local community through job creation.

Further information about Michelle and Trēhaus is available from the website at www.theTrēhaus.com, all items will be available for purchase as of the end of May 2012.

ENDS

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