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Luna Collection evolution: An Australian furniture design story


For Australian furniture designer Charles Wilson, “Luna is the gift that keeps on giving.” 

An exceptional example of Australian designed furniture, the Luna Collection embodies a timeless sophistication and aesthetic sensibility. 

The ever-growing, much-loved Luna Collection includes the Luna Chair, Luna Outdoor Chair, Luna Outdoor Dining Chair, and recently, the Luna Timber Barstool. 

Here Designer Charles Wilson shares his experience creating Luna designs and working closely with the KING team.

 

Charles Wilson, designer of the Luna Collection.

 

Award-winning Australian designer Charles Wilson

 

Born in rural Australia in 1968, Charles Wilson has garnered an impressive reputation, winning multiple design awards along with being part of exhibitions around the globe. 

For any Industrial Designer, part of the magic of their work is seeing their designs create meaning within people’s homes. 

“I love seeing my work finding its way into beautiful houses and having friends send me photos of a recent purchase,” Charles shares. “It’s something I could never be jaded about.”   

Charles has collaborated with the KING team for many years, a relationship that’s been formed and strengthened by a basis of shared values. 

“We share an appreciation of timeless design and the importance for finishes to be functional and innovative,” says Charles.  

“David King sensed that in my work from early on and now I feel we’ve really hit our stride and understand where the brand is heading and the furniture we’re developing.” 

 

Luna Dining Chair (left) and the Luna Indoor Chair.

 

Luna Outdoor Dining Chair in Eucalyptus. 

 

Luna Indoor and Outdoor Chairs

 

The Luna Outdoor Chair, the first design in the Luna Collection, was launched in 2019 at Denfair – a premier Australian exhibition for furniture, lighting and home accessories.  

Moulded from an expanded mesh, the Luna Outdoor Chair showcases a relaxed aesthetic synonymous with Australian design. 

“Luna is an excellent collaboration,” says Charles. “I tussled with the design team about different approaches, and there was a healthy debate that ended up with us following the direction of the expanded mesh.” 

Following the success of the Luna Outdoor Chair, the design has since been expanded to include the Luna Outdoor Dining Chair and Luna Indoor Dining Chair. 

“I develop an idea, modelling and resolving the guts of it and then hand it over to the King team. They do the hard yards building prototypes, testing and resolving issues. I feel they always work to enhance the idea rather than compromise or detract from it.” 

 

The Luna Timber Barstool is crafted from solid timber.

 

New Luna Timber Bar Stool

 

A testament to the timeless style and strength of the Luna Collection, the range has recently expanded to include the Luna Timber Bar Stool. 

“I’m thrilled to see the Luna Timber Bar Stool added to the collection,” Charles shared.  

“I wanted to create a minimal sculptural form that would bring out the beauty of solid timber. Of course it’s not just about the lines – we spent a lot of time and went through many prototypes before arriving at the perfect ergonomic form” 

Gently and ergonomically curved, the seat is crafted from solid timber. Designed for all-night comfort, the premium finish of the Luna Timber Bar Stool is smooth to touch. 

True to the KING ethos of creating furniture designed to last, the material palette has been chosen for durability. The welded steel frame provides an extremely durable base, while the dark bronze leg frame is powder coated for longevity. 

Clean and simple with an industrial feel, the Luna Timber Bar Stool highlights the growing popularity of the Luna Collection.  

 

Zaza Outdoor Sofa, Luna Outdoor Chairs, Monument Coffee Table and Avalon Indoor Outdoor Rug.

 

The Zaza Sofa by Charles Wilson

 

Another Charles Wilson design for KING, the Zaza Sofa and Zaza Outdoor Sofa have been highly successful in the KING Sofa Collection. 

“I think the key to Zaza’s success is the soft organic look on a modular sofa, which can sometimes be a contradiction in terms.” 

The collection began with Zaza, an indoor sofa and was developed into Zaza Outdoor. 

“Looking at it out of context, you don't necessarily know it's an outdoor sofa. Zaza achieves a fluidity and gentleness that I think we pulled off pretty well.”

 

The Luna Outdoor Chair in Salt.

 

Learn more about Australian furniture design

 

KING has been designing and crafting furniture in-house since 1977.  

As an Australian furniture designer, it is great to collaborate with a talented Australian designer like Charles Wilson and see such a successful collection brought to life. 

“We’ve reached a stage where I’m grateful when the King team are able to sway me in a different direction.” Charles explains. 

“To me, that’s obviously a sign of a good collaboration... King is terrifically respectful of the design intent and is determined to honour it.” 

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