Kathleen Prentice

Inspired by movement, Melt Console encapsulates the need for playful, functional design in the home. The form is perfect for an entry, sparking joy and excitement upon first entering the home. The Melt Console height is designed to suit a variety of uses, such as being transformed into a small work area with a chair fitting snug underneath or a place to have a quick bite to eat. The minimal profile and curved details give the form a sense of lightness, while adding a fun pop of colour to any space in the house. The Melt Console is available in a range of colours and sizes.

IMAGE > Kathleen Prentice, <em>Melt Console</em>, 2021, aluminium, 74 x 91 x 35 cm. Image courtesy of the artist.
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Audio Description

Design Fringe · Kathleen Prentice

Spending more time at home has influenced my ideas of versatility in furniture design. I think it is important that furniture pieces can be designed for use in more than one way. For example, my most recent design for the the Melt Console is a entry table to put a beautiful vase of flowers and your keys on when you enter the home, however upon designing this piece I made sure it was table height and a small seat or stool could sit underneath it. I envision it to be used as a small table to work from when you need a new atmosphere other than the home office/bedroom (where ever you are positioned during WFH). It is also a cute spot for a coffee break on the balcony (if you have one).

Spending time at home has guided my practice to think about the versatility within an object, as mentioned above. I have also been adding more colour into my designs and coming up with fun and interesting shapes. I have been focusing on adding pops of excitement into a space, which will be great conversation starters once we are allowed visitors in the home again.

I have been observing the process of the cafe expansion next door to my house into an open courtyard/bar for summer. It has been fun watching the space chance from a concrete slap to a beautiful timber cladded two story terrace. The garden is starting to form now with olive and maple trees, I am sensing a Japanese meets Italian alfresco vibe - very excited for a glass of wine there when it opens.

My favourite room in my home is my living room.

The spacious windows on both sides flood the room with natural light and create a connection to the outdoors. We often set up a dining table to eat lunch amongst the light and greenery, the timber details and floor also add a sense of nature within the space.

My favourite object in my home is the Blossi Floor Light designed by Sofie Refer for Nuura. It is inspired by the golden light reflecting from leaves during Autumn in Denmark. It adds warm cosy light to my bedroom and was gifted to me from a previous workplace - embodying years of hard work and acquired knowledge.