Falling in Love with Fler: A Melbourne Collector's Guide to Australia's Most Iconic Furniture

by Julie Athanasiou

You know what makes my day at Vintage Upcycle? When someone walks into our Melbourne showroom, points at a Fler chair, and says, "My grandparents had one just like that!" There's something special about these pieces that just captures people's hearts. So, let me share what makes Fler furniture so uniquely Australian and why it's worth hunting for these gems.

The Fler Love Story

Picture this: It's post-war Melbourne, and two European migrants, Fred Lowen and Ernest Rodeck, are about to change Australian furniture forever. Starting with just a tiny workshop making toy koalas (true story!), they went on to create some of the most beautiful furniture Australia has ever seen.

The "That's Definitely a Fler" Moments

Here's what makes my heart skip a beat when I spot a genuine Fler piece (and trust me, after restoring hundreds of pieces, these details become second nature):

  • The Narvik Line - Oh, Those Curves! When you see a Narvik chair, you'll know it. Those arms have a curve that's just... chef's kiss. Run your hand along the armrest - if it's genuine Fler, you'll feel this perfect, continuous flow that modern reproductions just can't quite nail. I had a customer last week who described it as "like holding hands with your furniture" - how perfect is that?
  • The SC55 Chair - The Supermodel of Seats This is the one that makes vintage collectors weak at the knees. Here's what to look for:
    • The backrest has this gorgeous 'floating' appearance
    • The seat angle is just right (Fler nailed the ergonomics before it was cool)
    • Look underneath - original SC55s have this beautiful exposed frame that's basically furniture art

The Hidden Details

Let me share a little secret from our workshop: flip a Fler piece over (carefully, of course!), and you might find some treasures:

  • Look for the Fler stamp (usually hiding under seats or inside drawers)
  • Check out the joints - they used these amazing timber combinations
  • The underside finish is often as beautiful as the top (they didn't cut corners!)

The "Time Machine" Test

Want to know if your piece is genuine Fler? Look for these telltale signs of the era:

  • Australian timbers like Blackwood or Teak (feels smooth but not too perfect)
  • The original webbing has this distinctive cream color
  • Metal fixtures have this quality weight to them (no cheap stuff here!)

Why Fler Still Matters

You know what I love about Fler pieces? They were built for Australian homes and Australian lives. That's why they still work perfectly in our spaces today. At Vintage Upcycle, we see these pieces bring joy to new generations - from first-home buyers to seasoned collectors.

The Investment Side: If you bought a Fler peice for $200 a few years ago, it can now fetch $400 or more. But here's the thing - you're not just buying furniture, you're buying a piece of Australian design history.

Found a Potential Fler? Pop into our Melbourne showroom - we love nothing more than helping people authenticate their finds. Bring photos, bring questions, bring your enthusiasm! We'll share what we know (and probably a few restoration stories too).

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