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Bespoke furniture and commissioned art is built into and of the landscape at John Leathart Landscapes. Tailored to the specific needs of the client, each piece in form, function, and material use are appropriate and complementary to the overall aesthetic of the space they inhabit.
John’s design philosophy and inspiration comes from the exploration of form, composition, structure, flow, rhythm, and spatial dynamic and is strongly linked to his background in professional dance.
Time spent working for renowned Adelaide Furniture Designer Khai Liew further helped John’s skills evolve, introducing him to a rigorous design process.
At these somewhat unusual cross-roads of the Arts, John’s philosophy and work is both unique in how it has been informed and influenced, and in what he produces. This is landscape design done differently, where ergonomics, flow, and human movement through a space is considered.
Helping to explain his obsession with detail and the juxtaposition of textures, John’s furniture embraces warmth and comfort, as well as style through natural elements and materials used.
An exhibition at BMG Art in 2006 was the culmination of completing his furniture design course, and was greatly influenced both by his time at Khai Liew’s, and a transformative time in life with a new family, new house and a strong feeling of ‘no time like the present’.
The design process is collaborative, and we encourage the client to be as involved as they need or want to be. John will work through topics like space, use, lifestyle and favoured materials, both through discussion and visual communication such as sketches and material samples.
Please reach out for an initial consultation if you would like to work with John to commission bespoke furniture or art for your landscape.
Inspired by both Danish and Japanese design, John’s ‘Utubuse’ daybed incorporates a floating Tatami Mat simply supported on a frame of bleached Australian Blackwood. This piece was the major feature in John’s 2006 exhibition at BMG ART.
Utilising only four components, the piece is very much influenced by Danish construction methods, keeping the joinery exposed and visually free of fixings.
With beauty in both form and function, the restrained aesthetics of this multi-talented daybed can relocate the backrest between one side and the centre. This allows either a larger resting platform or a double-sided bench.
Ageing gracefully, the Tatami Mat has changed in colour over the years to become a softer, warmer colour. It has been quite beautiful to watch this favourite evolve.
# – DESIGN BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – MANUFACTURE BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LONGSHOT IMAGES
The ‘Tanja’ Outdoor Bench has been designed in memory of a beautiful dancer, choreographer, and friend. A special commission, a memorial.
With the original placed outside the Space Theatre’s Green Room at the Festival Centre, a further six were built and placed on the Festival Centre Promenade overlooking the River Torrens.
Inspiration came from Tanja herself ‘light but strong’, so John chose a metal frame to allow a finer material but a sturdy structure. ‘Long and angular’ with three intersecting rectangular prisms to add surprise and interest.
Like a smooth continuous flowing movement, the seamless frame is fully welded and supports a recycled Jarrah hardwood top to add warmth.
The timber has now weathered to a beautiful silver and sits well against the vertical slats of the white fence overlooking the River Torrens. A testament to their name sake ‘Tanja’, meaning ‘Silver Haired’.
# – DESIGN BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – MANUFACTURE BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LONGSHOT IMAGES
The Monument Bench is the product of inspiration from process. John began the design exploration by starting with ‘what actually holds the seat’ and analysing the horizontal elements, how they fit together, and how they support each other. Through the process of refining these elements John took the decision to completely remove all horizontal elements and multiply the vertical aspect.
Made from Cypress Pine, the oils are a natural preservative and white ant deterrent. Set directly into their foundation the tops of the benches were sanded flat and left natural, no varnish, no oils, no nails, nuts or bolts, or mechanical fixings.
As a design piece, the Monument Bench are considered as a group, surrounding the firepit that sets their scale, and beloved by the owners who’s garden they grace.
# – DESIGN BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – MANUFACTURE BY: JOHN LEATHART LANDSCAPES
# – PHOTOGRAPHY BY: LONGSHOT IMAGES
