Elton Group together with Woodcut and Signorino hosted ‘Surfaces Speak’. Sydney designers were treated to an energetic panel discussion on the Future of Surface finishes at Winnings Showroom, Redfern. Moderated by Aidan Anderson of The Local Project, the speakers included award winning B-Corp Architect Eva-Marie Prineas ‌and Interior Designer Linda Habak joining Robert Elton, Sales Director of Elton Group and Ana Mercadillo, representing Signorio.

During the 1980’s Memphis designer Ettore Sottsass collaborated with the world’s leading recut timber veneer manufacturer, ALPI, to design and create a game-changing recut timber veneer. In his words the process ‘accentuated the value and exalted the texture of timber veneer through the distinct markings of the veining, evoking the unusual and irreverent combinations’ which have now become renowned.

Perth restaurant group Kailis Hospitality’s latest offering Gibney is the full experience, a sophisticated brasserie grill overlooking the pristine beaches of Cottesloe, offering a high-end approach to hospitality.

Located on Cottesloe beach, with outdoor and indoor dining settings, the design of Gibney was brought to life by local design team Rezen.

Elton Group was proud to join the design community in a celebration of creativity, collaboration, and innovation, at Saturday In Design (SID) 2024 in Sydney.

Partnering with K5 Furniture in their elegant Surry Hills showroom, we presented ‘New Skins’ – Modernism Recast, a bold reimagining of iconic furniture through the lens of contemporary veneers.

Shelley Craft’s Byron Bay Home: A Tribute to Enduring Sophistication with Evenex Sincro Grey Elm

Television presenter and design celebrity Shelley Craft’s new Byron Bay home exemplifies her refined taste and design expertise. Pacifico House is one in a series of homes she has built using Evenex to hero the living spaces. Drawing inspiration from Tuscan villas, the residence seamlessly blends earthy, coastal charm with sophisticated design elements, reflecting Shelley’s deep appreciation for natural aesthetics and quality materials.

Kirra Gardens: Merging Sustainable Design with Timeless Elegance

Kirra Gardens embodies a commitment to sustainability and timeless design, situated at the corner of Toorak Road and Dickens Street in Camberwell, Melbourne. The development not only enriches the local community with its thoughtful green spaces but also underscores a dedication to responsible architecture.

Clements Residence: A Transformative Blend of Evenex Sincro and Evenex Paperwall

Overlooking the water, in the heart of Drummoyne, the Clements Residence reimagines a Californian bungalow through the innovative use of Elton Group’s Evenex Sincro and Evenex PaperWall. The refurbishment by Some Studio masterfully integrates these two materials in the same Burnished Oak colour to enhance both functionality and aesthetic appeal.

At Elton Group, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. That’s why we are proud sponsors of the AIDA Sustainability Advancement Award, which recognises outstanding achievements in sustainable design. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to Kennedy Nolan and Finding Infinity for their remarkable achievement with the Wilam Ngarrang Retrofit project.

Melbourne Design Week & ‘Touchwood—The Hands That Touch the Timber’

Participating in Melbourne Design Week aligns perfectly with our values at Elton Group, showcasing our commitment to innovation, collaboration, and the celebration of timber in design. This prestigious event provides a platform to highlight our values and connect with the vibrant design community, emphasising the importance of sustainable materials and exceptional craftsmanship.

Our ‘Touchwood: The Hands That Touch the Timber’ exhibition was a standout event, held at the Tongue & Groove showroom in Richmond. The exhibition captured the natural beauty and sustainability of timber, showcasing the exceptional craftsmanship of our talented collaborators.

The exhibition featured a diverse group of creative partners, each contributing unique pieces that demonstrated their mastery over timber. Their contributions brought the story of timber to life, creating an immersive experience that resonated with all who attended.

In conversation with Sohail Masoudi: Director of BY SOMA discusses his recent project Glenmore Road, Paddington, NSW featuring Eveneer Prefinished Planked Walnut Groove

“This project exemplifies our dedication to creating spaces that harmonise historical reverence with modern comfort, showcasing how Eveneer Prefinished contributes to our vision of timeless and sophisticated residential design.”

Continuing to Craft Perfection: Eveneer Prefinished Timber Veneers

Elton Group’s relentless pursuit of material perfection is embodied in the Eveneer Prefinished timber veneer range, which combines beauty, outstanding performance, quality, and unmatched consistency.

Natural timber veneer, with its elemental allure and inherent warmth, has long been cherished in the design world. However, the process of selecting and matching grains is intricate, and finding an expert polisher is increasingly difficult. Achieving a flawless, high-quality finish in a timely and cost-effective manner, especially for large-scale projects, remains a significant challenge.

As the saying goes, creativity courses through the veins, runs in the genes, and is multi-generational, and the talented Matyas family is testament to that!

Interior Designer Nina Matyas, associate and lead of the interior design department works alongside her architect father John as Matyas Architects, an architecture and interior design practice started in 1989. In her words, it is an easy pairing. (Her mother is also trained interior designer who has since pursued a passion in fine art) Nina grew up surrounded by all things design. Father and daughter share a similar creative ethos and design aesthetic which is heavily focussed on material and form and is recognisable across their projects …

Less is more is the overriding principle behind Andrew Piva’s brief to himself in the design of his Malvern family home. On a small plot of land entered via a laneway, the architecture maximises the block, in a sensitive and unexpected way …

‘There’s something about the walnut veneer finish that is very sophisticated aesthetically, but it’s also super luxurious and cosy; it almost envelopes you and gives you a hug.’

On the top floor of a commercial building in Collins Street, Melbourne, a former plant room has been transformed by Studio Tate into a sophisticated workplace for property developer Riverlee. Housing a team of almost 50, the project harmonises the requirements of a busy head office with a desire for comfort and hospitality, largely through its elegant palette of materials including Eveneer Raw: Even Walnut timber veneer.

‘Connections at all levels, adaptability in function, visibility in circulation – across all scales this is a project defined by openness, fluidity, and hybridity. It’s about a workplace that allows for variety, but specifically a variety designed to make teams work and communal spaces matter’ —David Whittaker of Hassell.*

London Based Bethan Laura Wood’s response to her Mecca Women in Design* commission was to create a Regency inspired bookcase installation dressed in custom Alpi timber veneer.

Describing her work as bounded by her passion for colour, material investigation and artisan collaboration, Bethan’s Kaleidoscope-o-rama represents not only the practical and beautiful object but serves as a platform for commentary and response to selected pieces from the British Regency era of the NGV’s collection …

After walking out of the AIDA Gala awards last month with multiple awards, including the award for Sustainability Advancement (sponsored by Elton Group and presented by Robert Elton) and the coveted Premier Award, for their Campbell House, the team at Tonkin Zulaikha Greer (TZG) exude both humility and an infectious passion for their project.

“This project represents a great summation of our thinking over the past decade. The opportunity was incredible” Tim Greer started with, attributed the projects’ success to their client and wider consultant team.

“The perfect look and feel. Eveneer is the most consistent veneer on the market. We are blown away by the colour, grain and finish. You can’t help but touch it.” Tim Clarke of Telha Clarke

Evenex Tuscan Oak was the natural choice for F3 studio designing this Murrumbeena House extension, completed in 2022. Inspired by their client’s love of all things mid-century, the functionality of the space is achieved with cleverly designed joinery. Evenex wraps around the evocative curve of the hero central island bench, the designers playing with and emphasising the direction of the grain, and is carried through to the living room joinery cleverly housing the entertainment equipment and IT, with warmth, texture and clean lines.

Design: F3 Studio
Photography: TT Cabinets + Design
Builder: Damien Kook

Elton Group are leaders in innovative timber veneers. With a curated approach to product, the company is driven by sustainability and community-minded principles, elevated through enduring partnerships with world leading manufacturers and designers.

As sponsors of the Sustainability award, Elton Group fully support the focus of this year’s criteria. Creativity is at the heart of sustainability. Creativity is rooted in sustainable social, economic, environmental and cultural practices. It can mean anything from humanity’s ability to transform itself to tackling specific problems. Creativity is a special kind of renewable resource; enabling us all from suppliers to specifiers to end users to embrace living out the change you want to see. We see sustainability as designing with wellness, ethical, integrity, authenticity and reasonability. In the words of Henry David Thoreau “We can never have enough of nature”.

South Australian Architecture and Interiors Studio, Atelier Bond, practice what they preach. A bespoke practice located in Dulwich, Adelaide’s city fringe, celebrating its 10th year, the team is intentional about making a real difference to their clients’ lives, not only through their environmental outcomes but in the early engagement and project journey. Their client relationships are so meaningful and effective that AB has a healthy wait list, and one of their past clients has now come to work for them.

The past 5 years have seen a dramatic shift in the distribution of the Australian design community from the big tier firms to a community of small vibrant and professional design practices, with the birth of many talented design studios. Studio May is one of these firms quietly making waves in the industry.

Elton Group met with MAD (Michelle Attard Design) Studio late in 2021 and were welcomed into their new studio space in a light and lofty position overlooking Glenelg. An oasis in suburban Adelaide, the studio exudes a calm creativity, a measured professionalism.

“We collaborated with as many Australian companies as possible—including Elton Group, working with their team to deliver a natural aesthetic that is high quality and visually striking” — Matthew Crossley, Geyer Sydney

Design studio Geyer were approached to create a holistic workplace that would improve collaboration, innovation, and productivity for a government infrastructure client. The guiding principles for the project were around the creation of an egalitarian, biophilic, connected, and utilitarian workplace. “We incorporated visual elements of the surrounding views and the site’s natural context and translated the outside into a corporate workspace.”

Eveneer, sustainably produced timber veneer, offered consistency over the large spaces, yet also the ability to create a finely detailed finish. The use of timber veneer is also a nod to the “Paris end” of Melbourne’s famous Collins Street, long a hub of creative activity, with couture ateliers, furniture makers, and pottery studios; and the past life of the site itself as a horse bazaar in the 1800s. “We wanted to bring wood into the project and celebrate local makers and craftsmanship,” says McColl. “That’s when we started to look at Elton Group. The Eveneer range has such a beautiful richness and depth to it, and it really helped to evoke that bygone era and celebrate the craftsmanship.”

Elton Group’s WoodWall was the perfect aesthetic and technical solution for the new Adelaide Sofitel Hotel’s 9th floor restaurant which opened late 2021.

The concept of biophilic design has both fascinated and challenged designers for generations, compelling architects and product designers alike to devise creative ways to bring the outside in. Through the Billbergia Sales Office project, MXM Design Studio offers a new approach for bringing nature indoors, utilising innovative timber veneer supplied by Elton Group to create a unique commercial space rich with natural beauty.

The Highgate Penthouse at Millers Point is a refreshingly unique and beautifully detailed living space: an exercise in bringing nature to space.

Responding to its location and perched on a rocky enclave overlooking the urban and natural landscape of Sydney harbour and the iconic line of the bridge, the unique Australianness is complemented by a distinctly European timelessness through mature detailing of timber surfaces.

Ally Marrotte — IDEA2021 Emerging Designer (Shortlist)

Looking at the first built project of spatial designer Ally Marrotte, doesn’t conjure up adjectives like ‘emerging’ to describe her design practice.

Rodanthe House, her first project; through inspiration, a great client and permission to fly, was the transformation of a dilapidated home into a contemporary beauty.  At the outset, the brief was limited to the kitchen, but the partnership quickly took flight, extending the scope to renovate the entire 4-bedroom home, over a period of 4 years.

Leaders in innovative timber veneers, Elton Group is renowned for a curated approach to product. Founded over 70 years ago, today the company is driven by sustainability and community-minded principles, elevated through enduring partnerships with world-leading manufacturers.

The details are not the details, they are the design — Charles Eames

Alamer, ‘House by the Sea’ is a landmark boutique apartment residence by Lowe. Conceived by a stellar design team, Fiona Lynch and Wolveridge Architects, the architecture and interiors are meticulously considered and respond seamlessly to their locale and context in Brighton, Melbourne. Known for her expertise in ‘harnessing the quiet brilliance of minimalism and materiality’ Lynch’s use of timber veneer, warm colours and inherent texture are the basis of the sophisticated and bespoke design.

Designers are trained to think outside the square, respond with agility, meet challenges head on and invent creative solutions. Dizzy with ‘pivoting’, and all the consequences of post pandemic patterns, EG spoke to some of our A&D community and their responses were a mixture of new opportunities for client engagement and servicing, new ways of thinking about our ways of working, the importance of connection with team plus adopting a few good habits learned on the side!

After 15 years in the industry delivering high-end residential interiors in Sydney’s Eastern, Southern and Northern suburbs, Alex Mason made the decision to step up and established her own practice Studio aem eighteen months ago.

Her skill and expertise are evident in the fact her first solo project has been shortlisted for the 2021 AIDA awards.

“If it were up to us, we would have only used the Eveneer, but in the end it was the clients’ decision to introduce the warm blush beige detailing, which, in fact, subtlety frames the veneer.” Joel Alcorn AMAO

The Walan Apartment is the perfect example of Alcorn Middleton’s fresh and energetic approach to design. Collectively qualified in Architecture and Interior Design, with several years of co-creating behind them, their projects are attracting both attention and awards for unselfconsciously breaking new ground; proof they are following their own creative journeys and approaching each project brief as a unique journey of discovery and creation.

As Shakespeare famously wrote — ‘What’s in a name?’

For Matt Appino of MSA Prestige Woodcraft—the name says it all. For the past 2 decades he has honed his experience in the crafting of wood.

Arcos house is named for its celebration of arches, beautifully referencing the original Queenslander and Spanish Mission style of its predecessor. A tunnel-like entry leads to an arched doorway which opens to reveal an awe-inspiring space where the arched geometry transforms into generous curves.

ALPI Xilo Striped XL White is a classic veneer developed in collaboration with Piero Lissoni and cameoed in the 2018 Asplund Pavilion, Venice, by Alpi.

“The undeniable heart of the home, the kitchen is a space for gathering, sharing and coming together, with cooking and eating at it’s heart. With a superb focus on materiality and detail, the new Sub-Zero & Wolf showroom in Sydney is an exceptional space for celebrating the art of hospitality and the tools of the trade.” IndesignLive March 1

“A good bathroom is a living room also” says Peter Johnk and Corinna Kretschmar of Joi Design, (Architectonic, March  2021)  and the Centennial House Project by Isabelle Harris Design and Jonathan Spicer is the perfect example.

Whilst a significant number of spaces have been clothed in the stunning Xilo black veneer, the bathrooms have become hero spaces, normally hard surfaces, in bright light finishes, Isabelle describes these spaces as like living jewellery boxes, her favourite room, the guest powder room.

Elton Group were once again involved in Melbourne Design Week; this year, in partnership with Broached Commissions, making its Australian debut with Broached Recall, a collection of twelve new limited open edition applied art monoliths each utilising Elton Group’s precious vintage veneers.

“WoodWall took the project from really beautiful to spectacular.”

JBD was commissioned to design the Lime St skin clinic during the significant period of change and challenge called COVID. Jason was presented with the challenge of transforming a 1980’s commercial building with low ceilings and exposed I beams into an oasis of tranquillity and opulence in Sydney’s Barangaroo. The brief; to create a space to allow clients to pause, relax and renew.

Elton Group supports local design talent and recognises that today’s graduates are the design community of tomorrow: creators and curators of the future. To all the 2020 graduates across Australia, congratulations and welcome to the Design Industry. The year ahead will be one of full immersion into the world of clients, project deadlines, knowledge immersion and a fast track appreciation of materiality.

Soothing Shades and Natural Textures.

The Dulux Colour Forecast is an annual report that looks at current cultural trends set to
impact design over the coming year. As most European design and architecture shows
(where research for the Colour Forecast is usually conducted) were cancelled, the 2021
report is underpinned by new sources, including numerous virtual updates, and
engagements with local and international brands.

Elton Group advocate and collaborator Colin Whitehead, designer of Special Things furniture was awarded honorable mention as finalist for Concept Design award category as part of the Vivid Design awards 2020.

Wood is one of our few renewable resources and those of us in the forest products industry have a responsibility to ensure protection and wise utilisation of our forests so that they will be available for future generations.Elton Group is committed to supplying timber veneers in accordance with advanced environmental standards for forests, water utilisation and raw material utilisation. All our veneers are sourced from woods harvested in accordance with the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) International Trade Agreement. Elton Group is FSC® certified (Forest Stewardship Council®) FSC Licence Code FSC-C020940. The FSC label indicates that the wood used in the production of veneer wood originates from sustainably managed forests according to strict environmental, social and economic standards and other controlled sources.

Frank Lloyd Wright summed it up in his renowned quote- Every great architect is a Poet and Madeleine Blanchfield has poetically created a project for her own home Tree House. Situated in Bronte in Sydney’s Eastern suburbs the home masterfully uses Eveneer and WoodWall in Frosted Oak to create curves and a seamless, natural and a light-filled living environment. The result is a light-filled interior that feels as though it’s been suspended in the trees, reminiscent of a treehouse. This project was shortlisted for the AIDA awards 2020, featured in Belle Magazine, and published in Houses and Grand Designs Australia. An evocative and creative application

Photography by Anson Smart
Source: Yellowtrace

EvenOak was released in 2020 as a new collection in the Eveneer range. A magnificent timber with timeless appeal and endless opportunities, oak continues to inspire architects, designers and furniture makers the world over with its strength, durability and inherent beauty. The natural timber veneers of even Oak are made from sustainably harvested European Oak embodying the warmth, distinctive grain and texture of oak in a cost-effective veneer surface. A natural timber veneer, EvenOak retains the unique beauty, texture, and grain of the oak, created with a refined planked pattern in a range of warm hues inspired by the tones of aged oak.

Visit EvenOaks for more colours and details.

Elton Group were proud partners and sponsors of the Australian Interior Design Awards for 2020. As with almost every public event this year, the AIDA Awards night, took on a very different form. Announced via a live broadcast on Friday 29 May winners were contacted in real time, as participants were encouraged to gather in small practice groups. In lieu of the full celebration event, attendees were provided a checklist eDM with a link to the AIDA at Home Playlist and refreshment recipes.

After meeting the team behind the Local Project at the launch of the magazine, as part of Denfair in 2019, Elton Group immediately felt a synergy and connection to the brand and culture of the Local Project. To demonstrate our commitment, we have supported the magazine in partnering in Issues 2 and 3, aiding TLP’s aim to champion the best- from industry leaders to emerging designers, with a focus on exceptional human-centered design, as advocates of the ongoing value of authentic design, materiality and experience.

Benjamin Franklin was quoted as recognising that ‘out of adversity comes opportunity’ and in response to the shifts in work and life brought on by COVID, and to assist our A&D community work in a more mobile and agile way, Elton Group designed a limited-edition pocket deck. A handy, mobile kit of palm-sized real veneer samples each with QR code linked to full detail; the mini reference library makes specification easy from anywhere. Pocket decks can be ordered by emailing us at sales@eltongroup.com

Because the world is full of colour—there is always the need for black and white. Elton Group has created the perfect complement to the Eveneer Prefinished timber veneer collection; Pure Black and Pure White, monochrome sophistication, perfectly in tune and clear in tone. Made from real timber, wire brushed to enhance the natural timber grain, Pure Black and Pure White are finished with the world’s leading timber polishes to ensure quality, eliminate guesswork and provide a ready to use timber surface. With a new and unique texture and feel, nothing else competes with this prefinished veneer accentuating the essential character of the wood through natural textures, low gloss levels and anti-fingerprint technology. The addition of Pure Black and Pure White to our Prefinished Eveneer timber veneer range adds depth and contrast and provides specifiers with new tools for bringing spaces and surfaces to life.

When everyday and familiar objects are presented differently, it causes us to look beyond their functional value. As part of MDW 2019 and exhibited by Kfive, The exhibition Superficial highlighted how our perception of objects sometimes is only skin deep and how easily we can be tricked and our expectations can be challenged. Using Elton Group timber veneers as a medium Melbourne-based designers Yan Huang, Manuel Canestrini and Colin Whitehead showcased designs which explored relationships between our psychic expectations and physical reality by experimenting with functionality, material and surface of objects.