Grey Lynn furniture maker one to watch

Fletcher Vaughan describes the style of his home and studio as stripped back modern functionality with quirky bits. Picture / Carolyn Robertson

A former warehouse in Grey Lynn doubles as the home and studio of Auckland furniture designer Fletcher Vaughan. The setting, with its white walls and wooden floors, is the ideal backdrop for his modular furniture, mostly in subdued greys and whites, with flashes of bright colour.

More than 10 years after he created his first piece, the 38-year-old has emerged as a name to watch among New Zealand's new wave of contemporary designers.

Vaughan, who was a roadie and set builder for Xena: Warrior Princess and Hercules before launching his design business fulltime six years ago, has exhibited his work in Milan and Tokyo.

"I think New Zealanders are starting to recognise the value of New Zealand design," he says.

"Even five or six years ago people who wanted to spend money on a nice piece of furniture would generally buy something Italian. Now they have the confidence to spend money on local designers."

How would you describe the style of your home?

Stripped back modern functionality with quirky bits.

What is your favourite piece of furniture and why?

My Double D shelf because it was one of my first designs produced in 1994, and I still like it. Also the Bedouin bed, which I designed. It's very comfortable and I spend quite a lot of time in it and on it, as it also doubles as a sofa.

What colours are you drawn to?

Grey or white alongside a primary colour, my favourite being red, followed by yellow or green. I'm not sure why I'm so drawn to this combination but you see it often in my work. I think it's the contrast of neutral and bright that appeals.

What space do you enjoy the most in your home?

I live in an old 50s-style building which used to be a nappy factory (very glamorous) in Grey Lynn, with wooden floors and a brick frontage. It has two large rooms; I live in one and have a small showroom in the other. Of the two rooms, the bedroom/living/dining area is where I spend most of my time. I have lived in a couple of open-plan spaces over the past five years and couldn't see myself living with walls again. I like the feeling of space that open-plan living gives me.

What is your favourite designer piece?

It's difficult to choose just one. My SplAsh Tray, which I designed about six years ago, and the Twigs room divider by the [Paris-based] Bouroullec brothers Ronan and Erwan, both rate highly. Also the red Italian-made chairs by German designer Konstantin Grcic from ECC and the Tetris shelving, which is also a design from the Fletcher Systems furniture range.

What are you seeking to achieve in each piece you design?

Functionality, originality and I try to add a quirky element that makes you think. I'm big on adding a modular element to give the design versatility when two or more of the same design is grouped. I also put a lot of effort into the quality of manufacturing. I've achieved this by collaborating with a good team of cabinetmakers and engineers, who I have worked with for the past six years.

Do you have any pre-loved pieces in your home?

My workstation is a Sir Norman Foster Nomos table from the mid-80s and I have a bright-orange 70s Hanimex desk lamp.

What influences do you draw on when putting together the look of your home?

I don't draw on any one style directly. I guess being interested and immersing myself in design for the past 15 years and applying that practically for the past six, I hope I have developed my own style. I like to mix things up in unexpected ways - colours, materials and textures etc. I'm big on contrast. I try not to follow any trends.

Do you have any style icons?

There are so many but if I was to narrow it down to the start of the modernist era I would say Charles and Ray Eames and Hungarian designer Marcel Breuer. Among contemporary designers, I would put Ron Arad [a British-based Israeli], and the Bouroullec brothers at the top.

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