These utensils are part of the Alex Liddy 'Atria' range that received an Australian Design Award in 2005 and represent excellence in Australian product design. They were designed at the Housewares International design, studio in Botany, NSW, Australia in 2004. The utensils feature contemporary organic styling and a hollow handle for weight reduction and improved ergonomics. The complete Atria range consisted of a set of two large salad servers, a set of two small salad servers, a cake lifter, a serving spoon, a cheese knife and a spreader.

These Alex Liddy products represent the recent growth in the market for mass-produced and affordable 'luxury' homewares. Along with brands such as Maxwell & Williams and Salt & Pepper, Housewares International design and mass-produce sturdy and affordable tableware that have challenged the popularity of traditional luxury tableware brands.

The Alex Liddy Atria range of serving utensils were designed by Joshua Handy at the Housewares International design studio in Botany, NSW, Australia in 2004. The range received an Australian Design Award in 2005 and was made in China in 2005.

The utensils feature contemporary organic styling and a hollow handle for weight reduction and improved ergonomics. The complete 'Atria' range also included a set of two small salad servers, a cheese knife and a spreader.

Designers at Housewares International create all their products using 3-D computer files to quickly generate prototypes, which are then sent to manufacturers in Asia for testing and production.

These utensils were lent to the Museum for display in the exhibition 'Sydney designers unplugged: people, process, product' from 6 August to 9 October 2005. They have not been used.

The Alex Liddy brand began in 1992 as the Liddy Corporation and was set up by Alex Liddy, a former homewares buyer for stores such as David Jones, Grace Bros and Sheridan. The brand was bought by Housewares International (HWI), the owners of Breville, in January 2000. Alex Liddy is one of a number of brands designed or distributed by HWI-Homewares. These other brands include Baccarat, ArcoSteel, Forum, Mayfair & Jackson, Pronto and Bormioli Rocco. The Alex Liddy range is sold in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, United States and Canada.

In 2005 the Homewares design studio was separate from the Breville design studio at Botany but the two design studios collaborated closely on some projects. At this time the homewares studio had three industrial designers and a number of graphic designers creating products for Alex Liddy and other HWI brands.

The Alex Liddy Atria serving utensils were sold in major retailers around Australia and received an Australian Design Award in 2005. Over 190 products were entered in the Australian Design Awards in 2005. The judging panel recommended 49 of these products receive an Australian Design Mark and of these, 20 products for an Australian Design Award. The products receiving the Australian Design Award were announced at a dinner and awards ceremony on 22nd April at Melbourne Museum.

In 2007 Alex Liddy (the person) continued to design and market her own range of homewares under the brand 'Era is Evolution'.

Serving utensils (4), with packaging, Alex Liddy 'Atria' series, stainless steel / plastic / paper, designed by Joshua Handy at Housewares International, Botany, New South Wales, Australia, 2004, made by Housewares International, China, 2005

Utensils from the 'Atria' series consisting of a cake lifter, a large serving spoon and two large salad servers, all made from polished stainless steel. The large salad servers are packaged as a set. The packaging for each consists of a cardboard box, moulded insert and clear plastic lid. Included in the packaging of each are two documents titled 'Care Instructions' and 'Lifetime Guarantee'. All utensils are marked on reverse.

Designed: Handy, Joshua; Botany, New South Wales; 2004

Made: Housewares International; China; 2005

Each utensil is stamped with 'ALEX LIDDY' on the reverse near handle. Packaging is marked with product information.

2006/17/1

2004