Wanting to bring high-quality, original design pieces to Australia, brothers Ryan, Charlie and Brett Parnham opened Huset in 2012.
With both a showroom in Cheltenham, Victoria (20 minutes south of Melbourne) and an online store; Huset stock original furniture from around the world, including TON, Normann Copenhagen and Brokis. With a strong anti-replica stance, the brothers came into business wanting to give the high-end furniture space a good shake up, with a great range of products and exceptional service. “Huset is a proud supplier of original furniture,” explains Ryan. “That meaning it is manufactured under licence by the designer. Most of our manufacturers are located in Europe and have been around for many years, TON for example have been around since 1861!”
Also engaging various artists as in store pop up guests, Huset are particularly interested in giving global designers an Australian audience. “Our biggest thing is giving our designers a chance to display their wares, reach a greater audience and be enjoyed by people Australia wide,” says Ryan. “Products like the hand blown glass range by Brokis definitely blew our minds. We loved it, so why wouldn’t we want everyone else to enjoy it? That’s what we are about and where our inspiration comes from.”
In a world that is rife with replica furniture it can be tempting to go for the cheaper version, especially if from a quick glance it looks the same. But the brothers are vehemently against it, and here’s why: “You really can’t compare originals to replicas,” explains Ryan. “They are worlds apart in terms of quality, and sometimes they look worlds apart in their aesthetic. An original piece will stand the test of time. Something to pass down to the next generation to be enjoyed for years to come. A replica will eventually break and end up in your hard rubbish.”
Hoping to continue to import original pieces, as well as focusing on developing their Australian made range, Huset’s future looks bright. “We know we produce great stuff right here at home and want to work with more designers and craftsmen locally,” says Ryan. “We are working closely with local Melbourne design firm Bent Design Studio to develop a range of furniture to meet the local market’s demands and help keep the jobs here. Stay tuned for the next big thing from us and we hope you will love it as much as we do.”
