In a great scoop for Takeshi Iue, Maine Beach commissioned the Adelaide furniture designer to create bespoke occasional furniture for parent company Cocco Corporation’s showroom in McLaren Flat.
The stunning oak and American walnut pieces are also used as part of the Maine Beach stand at industry trade shows both in Australia and overseas.
Cocco Corporation director, Nigel Treliving, has admired the work of Takeshi Iue through his exhibition at Adelaide’s Jam Factory as well as his piece, East Chair 2014, on display at the Art Gallery of South Australia.
“I saw his work at the Jam Factory and loved the soft simple lines and finishes, and texture of the timber and thought Takeshi could build some pieces that would complement our stand and give it a point of difference,” he explains.
The range of furniture includes a console table, 12-sided trunk and bench seat. For Japanese born Takeshi it’s all about creating simplicity in concept form, materiality and ultimately construction.
“Surprisingly, the individual pieces were only marginally more expensive than commercial prices but offered much more because they were individually made one-offs and could be used at all times in the future―many Japanese artisans produce superb quality and take pride in their work, which I have witnessed from visiting their country,” adds Treliving.
“Takeshi will be a great asset to this country, it is important we all keep supporting this sector, so they can survive and work their passions and pass on the knowledge to future generations.”
Treliving is always looking to expand locally but it’s not that easy to find the right alignment with a person that shares your dreams in anything let alone make it materialise―so many people become trapped doing the same things and then they produce the same outcomes and wonder why success has evaded them, he says.
“I have made many mistakes in my life and try not to repeat them―I am not always successful but it’s part of the journey. In small business you need knowledge on many subjects and the ability to combine academic skills to produce practical outcomes and vice versa. I am way past retirement age and still love the challenge.”
While 2020 has had a major pandemic thrown into the mix which has disrupted life as we know it, it hasn’t stopped Treliving from taking risks to grow the business.
“In our category business around the world was tough even before the pandemic hit. There are challenges and so I am taking a gamble and producing a new range―which costs in the vicinity of $250K to produce―in partnership with a well-known Australian indigenous artist.
“Utilising wild harvested Australian ingredients we will be releasing a new body care & home fragrance range in late October―the colours and packaging finishes are some of the best we have ever produced.”
