Australian Designer Ross Didier Launches rD Collection.

Melbourne-based designer Ross Didier will be revealing a new sub-brand at DENFAIR this week. Called rD, and created in partnership with James Richardson Furniture, it so far includes a collection of plush sofas, and timber seating and tables. Under the new moniker, Ross will be designing pieces that are simple, understated, and utilitarian – celebrating the modernist clarity of structure with a classic industrial aesthetic.

Not overly designed but quietly confident, the deep blue Helm Modula Sofa could work in a commercial setting or at home. Inspired by Harvey Probber’s modular sofas, the Helm is manufactured using steel springs, premium foams, and solid American Ash. “It’s really intended to be as little designed as possible,” Ross said in a statement. “While familiar in form, the tight, five-piece collection has unique and distinguishable details.” The sofa features sculpted arms, a pleat feature on the back face, subtle curves in the form, and pinched upholstery seams, which contrast nicely with the solid timber.

Also under the new rD umbrella will be Gunzel – a series of solid ash timber chairs, stools, armchairs, a lounge, tables and bar tables. Designed to be adaptable, the style is inspired by citizen-led manufacturing eras, where handmade details were understated but poetic. The collection’s name is old Australian slang, loosely translating to railway or tram enthusiast (according to the Sydney Tramway Museum).

The Gunzel chair features upholstered leather seat pads, which are easily fitted without any skilled labour or specialty tools – meaning you can replace, swap, and remove the pads to expose the beautiful natural character of the wood.

The upholstered leather seat pads are easily fitted without any skilled labour or specialty tools, allowing the flexibility to exchange, replace or remove these pads to expose the beautiful, natural character of the wood. Flat pack Gunzel tables feature unique support rails engineered in extruded aluminium, which can easily be custom sized and braced using V-arms reminiscent of the pantograph on top of classic Australian trams.

Related: First Bite Collection By Ross Didier.

[Images courtesy of Ross Didier. Photography by Sharyn Cairns & styling by Bek Sheppard.]