For Melbourne-based furnishing and interiors practice AKI Design House, great design has always been born of intention. Every line, material and detail is guided by a philosophy of restraint, craftsmanship and confidence. Now, with the launch of The Gallery by AKI Design House and the unveiling of The Rue Coffee Table, the practice is expanding its creative world in a direction that feels both personal and purposeful.
LifestyleAKI Design House Presents The Gallery
Next ArticleAKI Design House Presents The Gallery
02 June 2026
The Gallery by AKI Design House is a curated platform bringing together the studio's own furniture and objects alongside a carefully selected collection of vintage pieces sourced from around the globe. For Director Candyce Huntsman, the concept was inspired by years spent living and travelling overseas, where a passion for collecting began to emerge.
"Living in London and travelling through Europe and Morocco exposed me to incredible craftsmanship and design history," Huntsman says. "Particularly in places like the Paris flea markets, where every piece has a past. That experience has shaped the way we curate today."
It is a sensibility that defines The Gallery's offering. Each piece, whether contemporary or vintage, is chosen for its sculptural quality, material integrity and ability to sit harmoniously within modern interiors. The result is a layered collection that reflects global influence through a distinctly refined lens.
Among the first pieces to launch through The Gallery is The Rue Coffee Table, a design drawn from the same spirit of European discovery. Conceived during travels across France, The Rue is a circular table that balances architectural presence with softness and warmth.
Crafted in collaboration with a skilled Melbourne stonemason and timber artisan, the table places craft at the centre of its design. A subtle boat-edge detail on the underside softens the form, while the legs are designed to ground the piece with understated strength. Available in two sizes (1200 DIA mm x 350 H mm and 800 DIA mm x 350 H mm) in walnut timber or a combination of walnut and carefully selected stone finishes, every element has been considered with precision.
"I was drawn to the idea of designing a piece with a strong architectural presence, yet one that remains soft and refined," Huntsman explains.
It is this balance that distinguishes AKI Design House. Where many studios chase trends, AKI's approach is built on longevity, material honesty and a deep respect for the maker's hand. The Rue is the embodiment of that ethos: craft-driven, materially honest and designed with permanence in mind.
Together, The Gallery and The Rue represent an exciting new chapter for the studio. Both extend the multidisciplinary practice into a space where art, function and collectability converge, offering a cohesive world that is as considered as the pieces within it.
LEARN MORE: https://www.akidesign.co/gallery/the-gallery
