Karen McCartney introduces Zuster's American Oak & Glass vase set, our newest Object of Desire.

It is hard not to be drawn to Zuster's clean, modern aesthetic, whether a beautifully crafted sideboard, a sofa backed in leather or their new accessories pieces. Zuster (sister in Dutch) is a family-run company that draws on its European heritage, while designing and manufacturing in Australia.

"This month we are celebrating our 20^th birthday, and to mark the occasion we are delighted to offer this trio of vases to Temple & Webster members," says Zuster managing director Fleur Sibbel.

Wilhelmina McCarroll has been designing for the company from the outset. "I take the same approach to designing the accessories as I do to the furniture," she says. "Strong simple lines with the same handwriting. The accessory side of the business started because we struggled to find items which truly represented the brand."



With the combination of American Oak and glass imparting the contrast of warm and cool, the appeal for Wilhelmina is akin to using contrasting colours in design. "The change of material or colour, used in the right way, gives the item its beauty," she says.

The vessels are both the same and different, with the height and materials as a constant and variation coming through the three turned shapes that complement each other as a group or can be used apart.



Wilhelmina also loves the styling possibilities of the three forms. "They look great styled in a cluster of three in a hallway or lounge, amazing down the centre of a table with graded colouring in the flowers, or as a single with greenery in a bathroom or powder room," she says.

And there are a few stylists in the T&W office who agree with her.