Dale Hardiman and Adam Lynch could hardly imagine what success lay ahead of them when they collaborated in 2012 on a rubber-and-oak floor lamp (a piece that’s still part of their collection) during their studies at RMIT University. Fast-forward five years, and the Melbourne-based designers are fast-rising stars in the homewares game thanks to their cool yet functional style.
Committed to creating cost-effective ranges with distinct personalities and irreverent names—Bradley Cooper, Mrs. Turner, and Lord Sconce, to name a few—their playful furniture, lighting, and accessory designs are stripped to the essentials. “Dale and I minimize materials and processes without compromising on aesthetics,” says Hardiman. “We always talk about the value of ‘everyday design’ and love that you don’t need to visit a high-end restaurant or boutique retailer to experience our pieces.”
Dowel Jones recently partnered with Michigan-based Grand Rapids Chair Company to launch their wildly popular Hurdle chairs and barstools in the U.S. The powder-coated steel-and-timber pieces exemplify the duo’s simplified design language with an expression that is as utilitarian as it is visually appealing.
The designers are currently collaborating with other Australian brands to produce items that serve as a departure from the more sculptural nature of traditional Dowel Jones products. A range of color-blocked, abstract wallpaper designs is due for release in late 2017, as is a new stool that cleverly folds to fit in a tote bag. It’s just like Hardiman and Lynch to mix things up, forcing design connoisseurs to take notice.
(Photos courtesy: Dowel Jones)
