Journal Entry

There are gatherings that stay with you. Not because of what was planned, but because of what emerged — the quality of conversation, the unexpected ease, the feeling of being exactly where you should be.

Back in March, we opened our studio doors to a gathering of people we love and admire — interior designers, makers, artists, and close industry friends from Adelaide, Melbourne, and Belgium — to celebrate two things at once: the arrival of Designs of the Time's new Azimuth collection into our studio, and the space itself, still finding its rhythm as our new home.

Azimuth is a collection that resists easy description. Named for the navigational arc between where you stand and where you are looking, it carries that same quality of being in between — earthy and ancient, yet entirely alive. Desert sands, clay whites, saffron and spiced ochre, deepening into burgundy and olive. Linen, wool and cotton woven with deliberate imperfection, the subtle irregularities of an authentic hand. Rust and indigo that shift with the light. Every fabric inviting the pause of a hand reaching out to touch it — that instinctive, wordless recognition we have always loved about this collection.

The studio was layered with Azimuth — draped across surfaces and furniture, lived in rather than presented. In this context, the textiles felt less like product and more like atmosphere. Alongside them, works by longtime Fabrikate collaborator and artist Jacob Logos quietly held their own space — loose, unframed, mixed-media pieces reflecting intimate moments through the same earthy tonality as the collection. Texture meeting texture. Art and fabric in quiet dialogue.

What made the evening especially significant was the presence of the Puylaert family — the founders of Designs of the Time — who travelled from Belgium to be with us. To have the people behind these textiles, whose story we have carried with such care and conviction, standing within the walls of our studio was something we will not forget. There was a recognition between us that required few words — a shared understanding of what craft means, and why it matters. It felt like the beginning of something that has already been years in the making.

None of this would have been possible without the James Dunlop Group, whose belief in bringing Fabrikate and Designs of the Time together has been instrumental from the very start. Their role as connector and communicator continues to be one we are deeply grateful for.

Fabrikate now holds the Azimuth collection in our studio as Australian ambassadors for the brand — not simply as a resource for designers, but as a place where these textiles can be understood slowly, experienced in context, and shared with the intention they deserve. For those who weren't with us that evening, we welcome you to come and see them.

Being invited by Jardan — one of our all-time favourite suppliers and a driving force within Australia’s interiors industry — to design their Adelaide showroom was a genuine honour for our studio. After more than twenty years of working with their product and their people, Fabrikate was entrusted with bringing a new space to life for our peers and the wider Adelaide community.

For over two decades, our studio has specified Jardan pieces across countless projects, so the opportunity to shape a home for the brand itself felt especially meaningful. The brief was to transform a vast, loft-like commercial tenancy — previously dark and lacking natural light — into a showroom that unmistakably carries the Jardan mark.

Through confident layering, strong primary colour, textured paint finishes and carefully considered lighting, we redefined the interior’s atmosphere and scale. Signature details familiar to the Jardan audience were integrated through clean-lined joinery and purposeful proportions, grounding the space in the brand’s language.

After such anticipation, delivering Jardan’s first Adelaide showroom was a milestone. The city has long loved the brand and its products, and being on the ground allowed us to lean into local suppliers and collaborate with our trusted joiners and trades to bring the vision to life — ensuring the craftsmanship and detail reflected both the brand’s standards and our own.

Since opening, the response from the design community has been overwhelmingly positive. There is a palpable appreciation for having Jardan here — for its considered design, its commitment to Australian manufacturing, its innovation, and its deeply embedded sustainability values. We can only hope the space continues to deepen admiration for the brand and its beautifully crafted, responsibly made furniture.

Textiles have always held a particular place in our studio — a passion and insatiable love of all things handmade and woven. When designing, it is often fabric that begins shaping the narrative. It can lead a space or quietly support it, and sometimes that direction only reveals itself as the design evolves. Textiles can be bold and architectural, or soft and grounding. For us, they are one of the most founding and powerful elements in our design, informing the language of a space and the way it is experienced. They craft memory and atmosphere — a tactile layer that connects people to place.

It is for this reason that our relationship with Designs of The Time has felt so instinctive. For many years, we have layered their collections into Fabrikate interiors, drawn to their imperfect beauty and tactile depth. Founded in 1998 by the Puylaert family, the Belgian studio approaches textile with reverence — small-batch production, natural fibres, and a meticulous respect for process. Linen, wool and cotton blends remain close to their origin, embracing subtle irregularities that reflect landscape and hand.

Their fabrics are difficult to articulate because they are felt before they are understood. There is always a pause when we introduce them into design — a moment where a client instinctively reaches out to handle the fabric, or is often the first thing they are drawn too on the table. The fabrics speak of journey and time and of craftsmanship passed through generations. Of restraint and quiet luxury.

As a studio that weaves material into interiors to create life and language, formalising our commitment feels like a natural progression. Fabrikate now steps forward as an ambassador for the brand in Australia — not simply holding their collections but holding their story and sharing it with intention.

This step has been made possible through the enthusiasm and belief of James Dunlop Group, whose support in bringing the two parties together has been instrumental. Their role as communicator and connector has allowed this alignment to unfold organically, and we are deeply grateful for their trust in us to carry this forward.

Our new studio will house the latest collections, layered into real spaces so designers and clients can experience them as intended — lived with, shared and understood slowly. It will be a place for conversation and connection, where the values of craftsmanship, sustainability and considered production are shared openly.

Already, wrapped in these textiles, the studio feels transformed. Artists and makers are responding. There is such a genuine response — and we are intentionally part of its momentum.

This is only the beginning of a shared journey forward.

A meaningful moment in time for us at Fabrikate — we’ve officially moved into our new studio in Adelaide’s East End. Nestled within a beautiful heritage building, the space is an authentic reflection of who we are and how we work.

This move wasn’t just about changing location; it was about finding a place that feels aligned, intentional, grounded, and distinctly ours. As a studio, our work is deeply rooted in identity, context, and expression. So, it felt only natural that our environment embodied those same values. Our new studio mirrors the evolution of our brand and captures the energy of the people behind it — creative individuals with a shared passion for spaces that tell stories.

This new space marks more than a shift in setting; it represents clarity in who we are and where we're heading. It’s a place where ideas are shaped, challenged, and brought to life.

As a collaborative studio, we welcome you to come visit — we deeply value our relationships with local makers, artists, and our wider creative community. We’re looking forward to curating a series of exhibitions within our studio — creating space for thoughtful expression and connection. We’ll be sharing more as these moments begin to take shape.

The confidence and character of this next chapter are reflected in the physical fabric of our new home — where bold massing and expressive ornament of the facade, speak to a layered narrative that honours both heritage and possibility.

This space doesn’t just house our work. It speaks our language.

At Fabrikate, we believe meaningful design is grounded in collaboration. We value close partnership with skilled local craftspeople — makers who share our commitment to invention, quality, and thoughtful detail.

From early concept sketches and material exploration, the process is entirely hands-on. Working alongside artisans gives us space to experiment, refine ideas, and push creative boundaries—ensuring every element is not only aesthetically refined but deeply intentional.

Our recently completed project, Aldgate House, exemplifies this approach. A custom linear pendant, designed in collaboration with local maker Handmade & Found, now hangs above our client’s vintage Cassina La Barca folding table. The piece serves as a sculptural, tactile ceramic and metal centrepiece which elegantly bridges the dialogue between contemporary custom design and timeless furniture. Each curve, junction, and finish was carefully resolved through a shared dedication to craft.

This collaboration reflects what we value most: design that is personal, contextually sensitive, and made with care. It’s a celebration of process, material, and the enduring potential of craft-led partnerships. We’re proud to support local talent and to create work that honours both process and place.

As we continue to shape beauty through collaboration, our bespoke pieces will soon find a home within a Fabrikate product range—crafted with intention, and made to be shared. Watch this space.