Melbourne-based designer Marlo Lyda designed a series of furniture pieces made of wood of an invasive species of trees in Australia, camphor laurel.

Camphora officinarum or camphor laurel is native to East Asia, where the evergreen tree features a role in many tales of myth and medicine. However, along the eastern coast of Australia, it is considered an invasive species. Like in of these cases, the tree is usually destroyed rather than utilised. One of the reasons for this is the variable colouration of the material.

Lyda used to this wood species for her collection Turning (Camphor), embracing the colouration. The collection consists of bed frames, side tables, lamps and candle holders. Through a process of woodturning, the material receives a distinctive pattern. The wood is then charred to blacken it and lacquer is applied to seal it.

The collection is currently on display at Useful Objects, until 14 September. Especially for this exhibition, Stewart Russell of Spacecraft designed a range of textile pieces, which uses the charcoal from Camphor Laurel as a pigment. In addition to Turning (Camphor), there are also side tables and lamps made of reclaimed stone shards on display.

Photos: Marlo Lyda / Useful Objects