A Theory of Beauty
'Design' is one of those words that has been beaten to a pulp, it's in good company with expressions like 'superior quality' and 'outstanding excellence.' Real estate agents, copywriters and shopkeepers are much to blame, as are builders, carmakers, landscape gardeners and yes.... furniture makers
We live in an era where designers are supposedly hard at work on our behalf shaping an ideal world. A friend of mine has this humorous take on the whole idea; he imagines a rather upright goofy character that proudly announces, "err, six mumphs ago I couldn't spell designer now I are one!
It is undeniable that good design is beautiful, immensely exciting and almost a little bit scary, but with every one laying claim to it, there has been a devaluation of the currency. I have never been a fan of that hackneyed saying, 'Beauty is in the eye of the beholder'. On the contrary, I believe that beauty should be a feast for the eye of the beholder, and we all instinctively recognise it when we see it. Has anyone ever seen an ugly sunset or an unaesthetic butterfly?
But we also have benchmarks for beauty in design such as the arching prow of a classic south-seas schooner, the Doric columns of the Parthenon or the gardens of Versailles, all breathtaking, magnificent and unforgettable. But why do we connect with them? Because we deeply recognize the beauty that our fellow humans have created. We can also instinctively recognise and recoil from the opposite such as environmental destruction.
Good design is attractive; it can move us and elevate our spirits while we enjoy using it as a practical part of our life, and a piece of wood is already a stunning piece of design. Often we will prepare a piece of timber only to find ourselves overwhelmed by its beauty and when finally we place the table on the floor for sale, it's almost as if we're hanging a precious painting in an exhibition.
In a very important way, this is what a Dattner Table is all about.
"... Once again thank you for the friendly, patient and professional manner which you have extended to me during our negotiations and for a beautiful table which will be a source of great joy in our household for many years ..."
- John V. Galloway
Our extensive range of solid timber furniture and soft furnishings includes Dining Tables, Chairs, Lounge Suites, Cabinets, Mirrors, Bookcases, Sofas and Chairs. It's all on display right now in our furniture section.
Nicholas Dattner & Co are proud sponsors of Landcare Australia.