Habitus Living: How did Ligne Roset and DOMO come to work together?
Jane Novembre: Due to the success of Grange in Australia when Franc Novembre went retail around 1993, Franc decided to look to France for a contemporary brand that would provide a different style and aesthetic. France was the obvious choice as he was already dealing in this country. Ligne Roset was an emerging contemporary furniture company whose origins were in the making and manufacturing of walking sticks.
Ligne Roset had a very different approach to how they marketed their company, and this had great appeal with designers behind the products. The juxtaposition of both brands was successful. Known as Grange Furniture Australia Pty Ltd, we opened a standalone Ligne Roset Showroom in Church Street, Richmond back in the late ‘90s (Franc was ahead of his time) but there was not a big enough market in Melbourne to sustain it. It closed after 12 and a half years, and was folded back into the existing showroom at Hawthorn.
The decision was made to change the company name to DOMO. In choosing Ligne Roset as a contemporary furniture partner, the synergies between DOMO and Ligne Roset became the blueprint for any other brand that came under this umbrella. Common highlights included quality craftsmanship and unique design, while bringing high-end contemporary European furniture to the Australian market was key. De Sede, Wittmann and Duvivier are just a few of the additional brands that DOMO partners with as testament to this.
Please tell us a bit about the French brand’s legacy.
They are integral in the shift in manufacturing by exploring and experimenting heavily with new materials, construction methods and designs which are still at the forefront to this day. Responsible for harnessing the iconic and original designs of Michel Ducaroy, Ligne Roset was also first to explore solid foam, frameless seating and comfort. The Togo Legacy lives on as the original and most recognisable design object, which was launched before its time, and has quickly grown to cult status as an icon over 50 years. Carefully considered craftsmanship is countered by the casual, squishy aesthetic that bucked the trends of its time when launched in 1973, where traditional sofas with legs and armrests of timber structure reigned supreme – an expression of the changing culture of the ‘70s and beyond.
Ligne Roset was responsible for releasing the iconic design of Pierre Paulin and making it available to the public for the first time. They remain at the forefront of non-conformist design, developing thought-provoking and ground-breaking pieces by collaborating with new and original talent; constantly evolving and challenging the design, furniture and manufacturing industries around the world, as well as making every effort to recycle, reuse and sustainably source materials. They recycle approximately 56 per cent of all waste (including foam), cartons, leathers, fabrics, wadding and paper. 92 per cent of waste from cabinetry manufacturing is recycled into new products or used in a wood oven to heat their facilities in winter through a complex and innovative ventilation system.
Why is that legacy so important?
First, preservation of history – whether it be in the context of original furniture design a painting or an architectural landmark around the world – is critical to how we have evolved. The wheel, the Louvre and even the Pyramids are each representative of technical and cultural importance.
On a much smaller scale, the passing of knowledge over time retains original skills and methods. This knowledge of craftmanship through Ligne Roset’s in-house training of upholsterers and seamstresses creates master skills that exist to this day.
You could argue that this is preserving the history and craft of original French design. In any case, and in a world of mass production and over-consumption, Ligne Roset has remained steadfast in creating contemporary, timeless design pieces that are recognised and respected for decades, passing on as family heirlooms and bucking the trend of fast furniture and not bowing to copying as many manufacturers do. As much as time has become a luxury, so too has an ‘original’.
What should Australian consumers look out for?
Call me boring but many of their products are practical and comfortable too. Exceptional quality (where French craftsmanship comes into play), with a focus on detail and materiality formed from decades of experience and skill mean you get your money’s worth.
Collaborations with the best of design, from up-and-coming to historical icons – which could be in the form of an expression of colour, texture and unique shapes that are both contemporary and timeless – always seek innovative design and materiality with sustainability at the forefront. Ligne Roset, like many European companies, is streets ahead in developing eco-conscious fabrications for now and beyond.
Any highlights to draw attention to?
The innovations of Ligne Roset continue to push manufacturers to do better, both in their methods and their sustainability efforts. Ploum and Prado are the ‘new’ icons poised to become classics. Or Kashima, Pukka and Togo Floraly.
What makes Ligne Roset so special?
Their continued collaboration with designers, both historical and contemporary, brings new ideas to life. Similarly, their unwavering commitment to innovation, creativity and craftsmanship, as well as a commitment to sustainable practices, development and continuous improvement.
