Brisbane designer Simon Hooper gives woodworking a contemporary and redefined image. His impressive craftsmanship captures the beauty of the materials he uses, making any of his pieces a visual experience.

He uses rare recycled timbers, weaving together his visionary skills and craft in cabinet-making to create Art Deco inspired pieces with a modern finish.

If his work takes your fancy, you can even commission Simon to work his wonders on your very own stunning piece of furniture.

> You can find out more about Simon Hooper and contact him through his website at simonhooperfurniture.com

Or

> Follow his blog at simonhooperfurniture.com/blog

- Despina Papamanolis, QH Guest blogger

Our second ‘Made with Love‘ featured designer is another local Brisbane talent..Gone Dotti!

Gone Dotti is the name that Brisbane designer Megan Phillips uses for her collection of quirky and creative art canvas, broochs and pendants, which she makes out of her Paddington based studio.

What started as a shop to sell and encourage the wrk of local artists and crafters has now been converted in to the workshop for Megan’s own creations, which she can funnel her passion for redesigning old treasures in to new keepsakes - wares that have been made with love, laughter and passion.

> If you haven’t yet come across Gone Dotti at the local markets, or visited the store, you may just like to check out her online shop at gonedotti.bigcartel.com. Delights are guaranteed!

> To read more about our quirky Aussie designers featured in ‘Made with Love’, purchase your copy of QH Spring 2011 here!

While exploring the Finders Keepers Market last weekend, I came across a gorgeous little stall featuring lots of delightful letterpress goodies > hand made limited edition prints, stationery, invitation packs & gift cards … something seemed familiar, it later occurred to me when I returned to the office on Monday, QH actually featured this talented local studio in our ‘Made with Love’ feature in the Autumn 2011 issue on page 40. Bespoke Letterpress Boutique is a letterpress studio based in Brisbane … QH loves our local designers!

Above: A must have for any book collector > 8 pack of letterpress adhesive book plates, printed on 300gsm 100% cotton paper. Each pack contains one of each of 8 vintage inspired designs, and comes packaged in our gorgeous kraft wrapping, with red stitching. Buy these online here : http://bespokepress.bigcartel.com/product/letterpress-vintage-bookplates-8-pack

Bespoke Letterpress Boutique: “We print the old fashioned way, using antique cast iron letterpresses, printing on luxuriously thick 100% cotton paper, mixed with patience, perfection and a whole lot of love. We cherish the craftsmanship of letterpress, however what sets us apart from other letterpress studios, is that we are not just printers - we are also highly awarded graphic designers.” … we are excited to feature them + some of our favourite items on the blog this week!

Below: gift tags, swine, jewellwery + quirky gift cards! Spend some time on their website and find your very own printed and pressed treasure for your home online here: http://bespokepress.bigcartel.com/ (BLB ships within Australia and Internationally) or visit their lovely blog here: http://www.bespokepress.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting, see you next week!

Joanne - QH online
Something you want us to know about? Email us web@queenslandhomes.com.au

We’re always on the hunt for outstanding local designers and Alexander Lotersztain caught my eye on D*Hub www.dhub.org with his exceptional designs that balance form, function, environment and user perfectly. Lotersztain is a genuine global nomad, and his urbane furniture designs that buzz with the contemporary energy of their surroundings attest to that. Born in Argentina to Polish parents, he travelled extensively as a child, and he eventually migrated from Buenos Aires to Brisbane when he was 19. Graduating from the Queensland College of Art, Lotersztain has received many (more…)