Damien O'Loughlin, Caber Entertainment Unit (CHESTS, CABINETS & BOXES 2024)

Photos:

Kylie O'Loughlin

This custom-built entertainment unit exudes a sense of warmth and organic elegance, its substantial form carved from the rich, chocolate hues of Tasmanian Blackwood. The top surface presents a smooth expanse, the grain flowing like waves in a rhythmic pattern, a testament to the tree's storied history, captured in the interplay of light and shadow across the wood's natural lines. Below, the unit's façade is a canvas of craftsmanship. Slatted doors, reminiscent of traditional Japanese screens, slide with a whisper, their function as delightful as their form. The wood's texture here is more pronounced, a tactile invitation to experience the joinery's precision. Dovetails and mitres converge with a finesse that suggests both durability and artistry—a silent orchestra of floating mortise and tenon, a dance of wood and air. The side compartments stand open, their shelves of shop-sawn veneer on ply substrate offering a lighter contrast, promising to cradle the weight of technology and entertainment with unyielding strength. These alcoves, a mix of right angles and clean lines, provide order and accessibility, ready to host the essential components of modern leisure. The finish, a coat of Poly-x oil, lends a low sheen that enhances rather than obscures, allowing the natural beauty of the Blackwood to shine through. This is a piece not just made to hold items but to hold attention, grounding the space it occupies with its considerable presence and the unmistakable character of handcrafted dedication. It stands not merely as a functional object but as a centerpiece that tells its own story—one of nature, craftsmanship, and the bespoke beauty of tailored design. @OLOFurniture

Images have been resized for web display, which may cause some loss of image quality. Note: Original high-resolution images are used for judging.