After an impressive international career working for well-known furniture companies and architecture studios, Anne-Claire Petre decided to finally bring her sketchbooks to life, creating her own range of eco-friendly, locally crafted furniture.
Offered under her brand anaca studio, Anne-Claire design furniture and accessories using sustainable timbers, materials and finishes, each made to order in her Melbourne workshop. Currently focusing on smaller items that fit easily into all interiors, her pieces are practical, beautiful and most importantly, long-lasting. “anaca studio is proud to create inspiring furniture that is built to last,” explains Anne-Claire. “Adding to landfill is not our aim, not in business and not in life. We build finely crafted furniture that has integrity, that you would be proud to own and pass on to the next generation as our parents and grandparents did.”
With an individual contemporary style, the lines are simple and minimalist with a touch of Japanese-cross-Danish inspiration — all mixed with Anne-Claire’s French background! “I like to think the products have their own personality, some a bit fun and quirky, some a little more serious. In the anaca studio family portrait there’s not a dodgy haircut or novelty jumper in sight, just sleek lines and contemporary finishes.”
Primarily using timber, Anne-Claire’s favourite pieces see timber mixed with steel. “I love the quality, texture and warmth that timber offers and enjoy mixing and contrasting this with the cold hard metal element. I am using a powdercoat finish on the steel for its environmental properties and also because it can offer a wide variety of colours.”
However that said, Anne-Claire isn’t fixated on just the one look, having some grand ideas for the future. “Next up, I want to work with more upholstery. I love playing with fabrics and leathers so it’s a natural progression for anaca.”
