Fatware extends Oliver Smith’s reputation for sublime cutlery design through working with Robert Foster and his innovative manufacturing processes. Wishing to literally grasp the act of cutting, Fatware embodies Smith’s fascination with ancient stone tools. Such tools integrate both handle and cutting edge, and Fatware boldly embraces the elegance of this stoneage reference.
Fatware consists of two occasional table knives that fit firmly and reassuringly in the hand. The first functions as a parmesan shaver or for hard cheeses, the second as a paté spreader or for soft cheeses. Both are pressed from solid aluminium and are hard anodized to ensure durability and longevity.
Fatware can be sold individually or as a pair and comes in a striking obsidian black finish. They team with the Fatware food-grade cutting-board (available in either red or white) to complete this stunning suite.
The F!NK Tea Strainer is designed to enhance the ritual or tea drinking, combining the whimsical with the practical. The black net filter with silver wing-like handles is held aloft of a cupped pedestal, which catches the remaining tea drips.
The F!NK Swivel Table Lamp is a low voltage task lamp that is based on design minimization and an innovative articulating arm and switch. The mechanism provides 360 degrees of movement, allowing the user to have control over the positioning and intensity of the light source. The innovation does not stop there—the lamp also has a unique magnetic switch. The tail of the switch is actually a sprint coated insulating plastic, and the silver ball contains a rare earth magnet inside. When pushed down onto the base plate, the silver ball completes and electrical circuit to turn the lamp on. As an added safety feature, the switch automatically loses connection with the base plate when the tail is pushed too far.
The F!NK Storage Pod was designed by Robert as part of residency at the JamFactory Contemporary Craft & Design Centre in Adelaide. The F!NK Storage Pod is an eye catching display piece that is also perfect for storing that secret possession or everyday items like tea.
The F!NK Storage Pod is available in three stunning colours especially chosen to accent it’s sensual shape¬—tangerine, deep purple and grey blue. The top can be turned either way to create a slightly different form.
Elizabeth Kelly designed and produces these exquisite individually hand-pressed drinking vessels. Robert collaborated with Elizabeth over three years in researching and developing an efficient production proves, which has resulted in a finely tuned product.
The F!NK shot Glasses stand like beautiful jewels in their display case, which doubles as a clever packaging device. The come in boxed sets of two and four, in bright pink, emerald green, cornflower blue and sea blue.
The F!NK Feature Bowl is borne from the collaborative efforts between furniture designer/maker Remi Verchot and Robert Foster. Their partnership has resulted in a radical hybrid of artisan-based skills and contemporary industrial rotational plastic moulding. It fulfils Verchot’s desire to “break out of the singular axis of wood turning and, create pure, functional forms”.
The F!NK Feature Bowl is playfully asymmetrical, beautifully balanced and widely versatile. From the corporate boardroom to the domestic setting, this unique design lends itself to serving or being displayed as a piece of art. The F!NK Feature Bowl will enhance any contemporary environment.
The bowl is 230mm high, 360mm wide and 380mm deep, and is available in bright red, white, blue and a limited edition fuchsia pink.
The F!NK Vase originated from a trio of one-off vases Robert Foster created for a solo exhibition in 1996, and has evolved as a production piece through the exploration of a technique—explosive forming. This unique process allows the manufacture of organic types of forms which are otherwise difficult to achieve using traditional industrial techniques. The design and technique are inseparable, and there is great irony in creatingsuch an elegant and sensuous object using a volatile manufacturing process. Each “Explosive Vase” is unique in character since the process ensures that no two objects are ever alike. The juxtaposition of unconventional process and design has produced another distinctive F!NK product.
The F!NK Citrus Squeezer is both elegantly functional and visually striking. Emulating exotic tropical flowers, it pours perfectly and is a beautiful accessory to the healthy lifestyle. It is available in three rich colour combinations of strainer and glass element.
This sleek form exudes a soft warm glow. The unique ball joint held together by a magnet allow for 360-degree mobility, as well as acting as an in-built switch.
This discreet lamp is perfect for the office or as a bedside table.
The Creamer and Sugar Bowl Set strikes a sublime balance between technical innovation, distilled form and functionality. The Set perfectly enhances the ritual and pleasure of serving tea or coffee.
The distinctive aspect of these vessels lies in using a revolutionary plastic base that can be bonded with anodized aluminium. An inventive heat fusion process combines these materials for the first time, ensuring hygienic, food-safe domestic pieces.
The playful design of the Creamer elicits the surprise of a bottomless container and the Sugar Bowl is ideal for serving cubes or grains. This F!NK trio is sold as a three-piece gift set (with its own tray), and is available in silver, black, cobalt blue and red.