Buoy Room Dividers by Rhys Cooper upholstered in Kvadrat Febrik and Maharam
Colour, texture and movement abound in DesignByThem’s Buoy Room Dividers. Created by furniture, lighting and object designer Rhys Cooper, and upholstered in textiles from Kvadrat Febrik and Maharam, this whimsical collection of sculptures offers a creative and playful way to separate space.
Inspired by the Australian coastline, the Buoy Room Dividers are characterised by soft, endearing forms and smooth, bevelled edges. At the gentlest of touches, they will begin to oscillate – swaying on their axis without tipping over. When arranged together, they mirror the gentle motion of waves lapping against the shore or trees rippling in the breeze.
“Buoy was designed with an emphasis on movement,” says Rhys. “Though each divider has its own unique shape and distinctive personality, they all make contact with the ground at a single point. This emphasises their perceived buoyancy, as if they are floating.”
Textiles from Kvadrat Febrik and Maharam were an integral part of conveying the Buoys’ movement. Defined by their tactility and distinct surface quality, Mizmaze, Planum and Triangle by Kvadrat Febrik, and Metric by Maharam, were used to upholster the Buoys’ FSC plywood frame. These fabrics facilitate the illusory movement of the dividers, swathing them in characterful hues and intriguing textures.
“We have been partnering with Kvadrat Maharam since 2019, and we love providing our clients with such a diverse range of premium materials,” says Sarah Gibson, Co-Founder and Director at DesignByThem. “For the Buoy collection, it was important to choose harmonious colours and textures to tie in with the playful nature of the room dividers. Kvadrat Febrik and Maharam’s textiles all have an extensive palette, and they subtly enhance the Buoys with layers of tactility and softness.”
Each textile brings something unique to the design. The two-tone, woven composition of Metric offers a modern, sophisticated aesthetic; the lavish, three-layered knitted fabrication of Triangle adds warmth and dimensionality; the smooth, woollen surface of Planum generates a more refined expression; and the subtle graphic pattern across Mizmaze naturally enhances interiors.
Together, the Buoy Room Dividers add dimension and character to their surrounds. Whether they are used as playful partitions, unique textural backdrops, or acoustic buffers, they invite intrigue and interaction wherever they are placed.
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Photography by Pete Daley
