​Canberra designer Chelsea Lemon redefines elements of nature

Canberra is surrounded by an abundance of beautiful bushland, with plants growing and falling in intriguing shapes and lines. Local designer Chelsea Lemon captures these interesting silhouettes and uses them to shape timber designs and redefine these elements of nature into something new.

“I would describe my style as organic in its approach, in many of my pieces I push the traditions of parquetry,” Lemon says.

“[Parquetry is] originally a decorative woodworking technique that is very structured and geometric. However, within my work, I construct parquetry patterns with nonidentical shapes, allowing a surface to look as though it is moving and flowing.”

Starting her career at the Australian National University Furniture Studio, Lemon equipped herself with a wide range of skills, which allowed her to develop an individual design style and discover her interest in parquetry.

From here, Lemon incorporated her parquetry skills with her love of plants.

“I aim to create functional timber pieces which are intriguing to look at, allowing the viewer to form a connection with my work when they explore it further,” Lemon says.

“Often I will observe the changing and growing of plants in my garden walk, and walk among bush land or nearby rainforest areas to collect plant specimens or take photographs.

“From here I sketch the plants, focusing on the patterns formed on their surfaces. I then use Adobe Illustrator to transform the sketches into geometric forms which I print onto paper. Afterwards, each shape is traced onto timber veneer, then cut, sanded, and glued to form a timber translation of my drawing.”

Although her designs are greatly influenced by Canberra’s surroundings, the local design community has also had a great impact upon her career.

“I am lucky to have grown as a designer within the Canberra region. It is a smaller city compared to Sydney and Melbourne and there is a strong sense of community within the design field. We are able to support each other and work together on projects,” she says.

“I have been extremely grateful to be supported by the ANU Furniture Studio,who have provided me with a graduate residency while I set up my own workshop space at home. They have an excellent workshop set up with a variety of machines, and there are always students and staff working away which creates a buzzing atmosphere.”

With a new home studio currently under construction, Chelsea Lemon Designs is truly growing and evolving at a rapid pace.

“I am currently working on a cabinet influenced by a banksia for competition-based exhibition Studio Furniture 2018, which will be showcased at the Bungendore Woodworks from October onwards,” Lemon says.

“I am also designer in residence for the 2018 Design Canberra Festival, which has been an exciting collaborative project. I have just completed the feature work for their poster, and will be creating sponsor gifts and a piece for their auction night.”

If you love the look of Lemon’s work and are interested in seeing more, you can find her pieces at the Australian Design Centre (Sydney), Craft ACT (Canberra), Timber & Tailor (Braddon), or view her entire collection at chelsealemon.com.au