Whether included in a stylish Christmas tabletop or simply lit from now until Santa arrives, a stylish and fabulously scented festive candle can really set the tone.
Oh It’s Perfect Merry Cherry glass vessel candle: Combining a tinted red glass vessel with a graphic label and cute octagonal shape, this Christmas scent is infused with an intoxicating aroma full of fruit, spices and a hint of red wine. $65.95.
Diptyque limited edition Sapin candle: This candle blends pine tree with a smokey ember scent for a very Christmassy vibe. The packaging and glass vessel are particularly fun. $60.
Ivy & Wood Christmas candle: Hand poured using natural coconut soy wax and cotton wicks, these Christmas candles come in three scents – the edible ‘Gingerbread’ and ‘Blackcurrant & Plum’ as well as the Australian themed ‘Bush Christmas.’ $39.95 each.
Trudon Christmas edition Gabriel candle: While the notes of leather, cashmere wood, and candied chestnuts have a lovely festive feel, the real beauty of this candle is the gorgeous gold foiled glass vessel it is housed in. $149.
Furniture and homewares retailer Freedom is working with Australian designers and artists on a series of unique collaborations, kicking off with Sydney-based ceramicist Stephanie Phillips.
The three-piece limited edition collection, which is exclusive to Freedom, consists of a vase, lamp, and candle and will be available at select Freedom stores and online until stocks last.
“Freedom is committed to designing and creating beautiful products for our unique Australian lifestyle,” says Kate Hopwood, head of design. “As part of this, we love to support independent artists and designers such as Stephanie, who also happens to be one of our very own talented Freedom team mates.”
Stephanie’s work has been featured in Vogue Living and on The Design Files, she has hosted solo exhibitions and it was her selection in the 2019 Paris Design Week that saw every piece of her collection bought by fashion designer Jacquemus to display in his chic Parisian restaurant, Oursin.
“I was so excited when Kate asked me to collaborate,” says Stephanie. “I went straight into the studio for nearly four weeks straight, just sketching, making prototypes and going back and refining them.”
From a young age, Stephanie developed an affinity with the Australian bush which has largely influenced the forms and colours of her work. Drawing on her love of plants, she creates curved vessels to house a modern take on Ikebana using driftwood and bromeliads.
The Galina Lamp
The Galina Lamp is an earthy polyresin base paired with a natural Raffia shade that when combined are a match made in textural heaven. The glow of a lightbulb peeps through the knotted palm leaf features and light bounces off the playful curved details of the base, reminding the owner of the designer’s intent to create a moment and a mood.
The Stephanie Phillips Candle
The Stephanie Phillips Candle has a tactile finish and the Paulo Santo scented soy wax will provide 40 hours of burning time. Once burnt through, the vessel can be used to house the cutest of succulents or whatever you like!
The Obelia Vase
The largest in the collection, the Obelia Vase is not the kind of piece that stays in the cupboard until filled with flowers. A piece of décor in its own right, this ceramic vessel was designed by Steph to hold its own on your mantle or house your favourite garden blooms.
I have a thing for ceramics. There’s something about art which you can hold in your hands, knowing that the artist who lovingly made it, also did so with theirs.…
One of Australia’s favourite media personalities, Neale Whitaker has launched a luxurious contemporary homewares collection.
The Neale Whitaker N|W collection features bed linen, coordinating throws and cushions, towels and decor items in natural fabrics like linen, Turkish and woven pure cotton.
“My collection offers the opportunity to create an individual look without the big price tag,” says Neale. “It comprises designs and colours that can be layered or used individually to create your look. The collection is as perfect for city living as it is for the country or the coast!”
The contemporary bed linen includes a large range of quilts with matching pillowcases, such as the Braemar quilt. This beautiful cover is available in Pink Salt, Burrow, Wattleseed and White.
Braemar Quilt Cover in white
Coverlets are a versatile year-round item perfect for all-weather sleeping, as a lightweight blanket in summer and a layer of extra warmth in winter. The Eden Coverlet is available with matching pillowcases in three delicious colours: Pink Salt, Eucalyptus and Granite.
The Eden Coverlet with matching pillowcases in Pink Salt
Add texture and depth to your room with throws and cushions, including the generously sized linen throws and a range of contemporary cushions.
Create your own relaxing bathroom retreat with bath towels in Oyster, Granite, Desert and Wattleseed. They’re designed to co-ordinate and woven from luxurious premium Turkish cotton for a soft, absorbent, faster-drying and durable towel. There are also beach towels in Moroccan Palm or Beach Stripe.
And last but not least, from beautifully scented candles and diffusers to chic vases, lamps, wall art, rugs, and mirrors, the Neale Whitaker N|W décor items will add the perfect finishing touch to any room.
Neale Whitaker N|W homewares range is available in-store and online at MyHouse and HOUSE.
Interior design expert Neale Whitaker shares four things to make your house a home – The Interiors Addict
When it comes to transforming a house into a home, interior design expert and TV personality Neale Whitaker, certainly knows a thing or two. Neale, pictured in his own home,…
While Australian winters might not be the bleakest, this is a period when staying snug in the comfort of one’s home seems more appealing than heading out. As we approach that time of the year when entertaining and socialising moves indoors, it’s time to think about making the home more welcoming, using interior design to fill it with warmth and cosiness, and making it a season to look forward to.
Here are a few tips from Great Dane to create a home atmosphere that is intimate and sparks joy this winter.
Play with different textures
Make spaces look and feel more homely and inviting by using furniture upholstered with leather, velvet, sheepskin, alpaca wool and other textural materials. Sofas and easy chairs with leather warm up to match body temperatures, while chairs with canvas and paper cord maximise comfort. Add a finishing touch with woolly throws, plush cushions and rugs that enhance cosiness.
Create intimacy and warmth with candles
Lighting candles makes the home feel more inviting, especially during the winter months. Candles add a soft glow to the space, making it appear more welcoming. Light candles in clusters of different heights, colours and shapes to add an element of interest, while also adjusting the level of brightness to suit the space.
Brighten the home with soft lighting
The lack of adequate sunlight in winter can be harsh, and most houses can feel gloomy during the day. Chandeliers and lamps that illuminate with a soft glow help make a space feel more inviting, which is ideal when most evenings will likely be spent indoors. Lamps with pleated paper and textile shades lend a soft and cosy light to living spaces, exuding much-needed warmth.
Connect with nature indoors
Celebrate the outdoors even while stuck inside by introducing greenery in the living areas. Flowers, garden cuttings and sculptural branches can be arranged beautifully in vases to introduce a touch of nature. Introducing natural elements also breathes life into the space, working as a source of inspiration especially if working from home will continue to be on the cards through winter.
Stylish window furnishings that will warm your home this winter
We all know that beautiful window furnishings can completely change the look and feel of any room, creating atmosphere and adding another textural layer to your interior palette. What many…
How to pick the best duvet: your quilt questions answered
I recently decided it was time to invest in a quality quilt; a really warm, heavy-feeling, hotel-like one that would look all plump on the bed. I don’t ask much,…
Given the fast-paced tech-driven world that we live in, there’s something charming about the latest trend to invade our Instagram feeds – the taper candle. Low-fi and nostalgic, the taper candle has a long history in the home (they found their way into gothic, baroque and colonial interiors mainly out of necessity) but the latest designs have a distinctly modern flavour. There’s unusual shapes, neon colours and a gorgeous array of contemporary vessels to house them in.
De Crecy candles: Designed and hand poured in Bondi by Tony Assness, these gorgeous candles have taken over our Instagram feeds – no doubt due to their unique, sculptural shapes. They’re made from Australian-sourced butter beige wax and are priced from $44.
Urban Outfitters Ombre Taper candle set: Bring a colourful glow to your next tabletop display with these ombre-hued taper candles. They’re very reasonably priced at $18 for a set of four.
XRJ Celebrations taper candles: Never one to do things in halves, Roxy Jacenko’s candle foray certainly packs a visual punch. Styled en masse, the key to this look is the sheer number of candles in the mix. The acrylic and wooden bases are available for purchase too. From $100.
Black Blaze Colour Pillar candles: Available in an array of gorgeous hues (eucalyptus, honey and peach to name just a few), these candles (from $16) are made in Sydney from pure plant based wax. The matching minimalist solid brass candle holder, $59, completes the look.
Lex Pott ‘TWIST’ twisted candle in pink: Made in the Netherlands from paraffin wax, this fun sculptural piece is a fabulous blend of form and function. It’s available in an array of colours. $44.
Gloria Speaking Alias candlestick in pink: The perfect vessel in which to hold a taper candle, these delicate glassware pieces are giving us major mid-century modern vibes. The matching taper candles are also available for purchase. $44.
One of Australia’s leading designers, when Greg Natale looks into his crystal ball makes interior trend predictions we sit up and take notice. Read on for his take on what…
Non toxic candles: our top picks
By Kathryn Bamford To me, candles always needed to be two things: beautiful aesthetically and fabulous smelling! I’ve recently added a third requirement: non toxic. I hadn’t ever given much…
Roxy Jacenko’s new house: a kitchen to die for!
When your life’s as crazy as Roxy Jacenko’s, it’s perhaps no surprise the PR queen likes things to be calm and minimal at home, and the renovation of her new…
To me, candles always needed to be two things: beautiful aesthetically and fabulous smelling! I’ve recently added a third requirement: non toxic. I hadn’t ever given much thought to what’s actually in a candle and I certainly didn’t think they could potentially be toxic. There’s a lot of conflicting research out there on the topic, but why not choose a cleaner option for yourself and your home if it’s available?
Here are my top 10 non-toxic candles and why I love them:
Vela de Cera A blend of fine fragrances and essential oils, made from coconut and soy wax handcrafted in Sydney with a 60-hour burn. Not only is it non toxic, it’s also good for the planet with biodegradable packaging made from 100% recycled materials. My pick is the Esencia De Sandalo. $75.
Lemon Canary Candles and crystals; need I say more?! I would have no hesitation in putting something this beautiful on my coffee table. Their candles are natural, handmade, cruelty-free, sustainable, biodegradable and just all round amazing. With their waxes coming from sustainable farming, they are a renewable resource that can be replaced at the same rate or faster than can be consumed without damaging the ecosystem. Candles bowls start from $129.
Maison Blanche I mean bonus points for being monochromatic, this one’s timeless. It also lasts longer with an 80-hour burn time. Meticulously designed and handmade in Sydney using only the highest quality plant-based ingredients. Large candles, $52.
Celia Loves Crafted in Melbourne from 100% natural soy wax and essential oil extracts. Each fragrance has a different arty label and they truly are ALL beautiful designs. Celia might love… so does Kathryn and so will you! Available in 40 or 80-hour burn times. Prices start at $24.95.
Hunter Candles Hand poured in bustling Newtown, Sydney, using Ecosoya wax, made using pure soy beans. The wax is biodegradable and free from pesticides, palm oil, petroleum and GMOs. Their candles use full fragrance, which is non-toxic and have a 40+ hour burn time. Large candle $45.
Mojo Candle Co Believe it or not these beautiful candles are made from reclaimed beer and wine bottles collected from wineries and restaurants from the Southern Highlands and Canberra! With most fragrances sounding like amazing cocktail combinations (take watermelon lemonade!), these are definitely on the list to try! 50+ hour burn time and $39.90.
Orchard St Each product has been naturopath-created to conjure a positively thriving state of body, mind and spirit; a ‘way of being’ aligned with the wisdom of nature. There are four scents available for the different elements earth, air, fire and water. With an 80+ hour burn time, they are an absolute steal for $48.
Haeckels This one is dedicated to our European followers. Made with a high quality woven cotton wick and eco-friendly soy wax in a thick glass surround and with a burn time of 40 hours. The glass is purposely designed to be reused once the candle is finished as a drinking vessel. Cool right? £55 each.
Salus Spa-inspired products and scents that are made in Australia with natural plant extracts, powerful botanicals, natural soy and 100% pure essential oils. 60-hour burn time. $40 each.
The Candle Library Each candle is made using 100% eco soy wax and their signature, custom fragrance oils. The candles are packaged in Australian manufactured boxes, made of paper that is 100% recycled from waste paper and is carbon neutral. Good for you, good for the planet, and good for your wallet at $45 each.
– Kathryn Bamford is a regular contributor, certified interiors addict and degree qualified interior designer & stylist. You can follow her projects and adventures on Instagram @kathryn_bamford.
From Christmas pudding to tropical fruit and spicy cranberries, this year’s festive candles are one for the gourmands! And just like last year, this year’s crop have a lovely Aussie summer vibe.
Glasshouse ‘Merry & Bright’ candle: A fun mix of tropical fruits (pineapple and strawberries) and fizzy summer freshness (a dash of mint) make this candle smell like Aussie Christmas in a jar. We love the tinsel-clad box. $46.95.
SOH Melbourne St Nicholas candle: Housed in a gorgeous emerald coloured jar, this will appeal to lovers of traditional Christmas scents – smoke ash, fir needles and pine combine for a heady mix. $65.
Mews Collective sugar plums and red berries candle: Finished with gold foiling, we’ll admit it was the packaging that caught our eye with this one! That said, the scent has a decidedly festive vibe with top notes of black currants, red plums and lemons, heart notes of lavender, red roses and nutmeg and base notes of cedarwood, oakmoss and musk. $49.95.
Ecoya wild strawberry frosé candle: This limited edition Christmas fragrance is another fruity one perfect for the Australian summer – there’s wild strawberries combined with tropical fruit, plus grounding notes of violet and rosewood. $42.95.
Diptyque ‘Luck’ candle: Part of the iconic French brand’s limited edition Christmas offering, this candle is emblazoned with luck-granting symbols for the festive season. $105.
The Prospect Project ‘Christmas Tree’ candle: With its top notes of fir needle and spearmint, middle notes of sage leaf and rosewood, and base notes of cedar wood and amber, this hand poured soy candle is a Christmas tree in a jar! $25
While there’s always a place for traditional Christmas scents like pine and cinnamon, there’s a new wave of festive fragrance on the scene this year and many of them have a distinctly Australian feel. From pineapple and peach (evoking balmy summer nights) to Maison Blanche’s quite literal take with its ‘Australian Christmas’ candle, these are our top picks.
Circa Home Christmas collection: Circa Home’s Christmas offering is rather comprehensive and there are a plenty of gorgeous options within. I love the mini-candle bon bon, $14.95, and the mini star candle that is available as a gift with purchase if you spend over $40.
The Christmas bon bon mini candle (top) makes a fabulous gift
I’m star obsessed and was happy to find out that this is available as a gift with purchase.
Maison Blanche limited edition Australian Christmas candle (medium): A celebration of Christmas in the heat, this scent evokes a tropical cocktail – think fresh pineapple, orange and cranberries plus a splash of vodka and peach schnapps – and is housed in a minimal glass jar with wooden lid. $32.
Glasshouse ‘Merry and Bright’ candle: Another tropical option, this one’s aroma includes tropical fruit (pineapple and strawberries) plus a hint of fresh mint. The vessel makes for great bathroom storage later. $46.95.
Lumira Nuit De Noel candle: A more traditional Christmas scent, this clean green glass jar houses a scent that evokes brandy-soaked fruit, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, black pepper, amber, tonka and pine tree. $69.
Tilley Dreaming of a White Christmas candle: Rich and sweet with hints of tangy cherry and deep spicy notes of nutmeg, cinnamon and clove, this is one of three limited edition candles from Australia’s oldest soap maker. Jen’s also been road testing the Cranberry and Pear Spritz candle which is a great less-traditionally-festive option. $29.95.
The Prospect Project Gingerbread candle: I’d say the scent housed within this mason jar is pretty obvious! Spicy pumpkin gingerbread, caramel and hazelnut make this one for the gourmands. Plus, The Prospect Project donates $2 from every order to not for profit causes. $25.
The Aromatherapy Co ‘Christmas Pud’ candle: I love the gorgeous little village design on the outside of this candle. Christmas pudding is the inspiration behind the scent that emanates citrus infused with cloves and cinnamon plus fig and cherry. $14.95.
Ecoya ‘Summer Cherries & Peach’ candle: Housed in a glass jar with chrome lid, this Christmas candle is yet another Aussie-inspired number. Summer cherries infused with orange and passionfruit plus mango, plum and peach counter a creamy vanilla base. $40.
The end of the financial year is approaching and with it the start of the chillier weather. Time to bunker down at home and watch the good TV, get out the slow cooker, light some candles and cosy up! If you ask us, it’s time to invest in a few new pieces to make your home more comfortable for the cooler months, whatever your budget. Even better, there are often plenty of EOFY sales to take advantage of when doing so. Here are our top purchase suggestions to get your home winter ready, from the practical to the beautiful.
Under $300
You can’t beat a great scented candle on a chilly evening. We love Cocolux Australia‘s. From $45.
Layering ambient light to create a warm and cosy vibe becomes even more important when it’s cooler outside. Here are a couple of my favourite table lamps from Beacon Lighting:
Just because it’s cold, doesn’t mean you can’t use the back yard. A firepit is a surprisingly affordable way to enable you to get outside of an evening almost all year round! This Milkcan one is under $200 from House of Home.
This Castle jumbo lambswool blanket, $249 is huge, warm and makes a great pop of colour. You’ll have it for years, whether it’s on the lounge or on your bed.
They’re on trend, they look fabulous, they’re soft and warm and the ideal extra layer for your winter interiors. If you don’t already have one, it’s probably time to invest in a sheepskin! We love the look and feel of the Mongolian kind. This one’s $249 from Tara Dennis Store.
Under $500
Love the glow of a real fire without the mess? How about this elegant fireplace that runs on bioethanol (methylated spirits) at under $500 from Designer Fire?
Under $1000
Layering rugs, like I did in my old bedroom (pictured) is a great way to give your interior a more wintery and cosy look. It’s also a great way to make a smaller, more expensive patterned rug go further, by placing it on top of a larger, cheaper, plain rug. Some of my favourite rugs can be found at west elm and Miss Amara.
Pic by Jacqui Turk for west elm
I love my Dyson AM09 Hot + Cool, $599. The good-looking, quiet, safe way to heat your room quickly and evenly. These are particularly great for bedrooms without air con at night.
Not got the cash right now but raring to get started on warming up your home for winter?
In response to research showing interest-free payment plans are popular with customers, American Express, the game changers in the credit card space, have developed Pay Your Way. In an Australian first for a credit card issuer, it gives American Express issued Card Members the flexibility to spread payments for large purchases over monthly instalments at 0% per annum. All you pay is a small setup fee — 2%, 3% or 4% of the purchase amount depending on the plan duration you select – and what’s more, you can still earn rewards with these purchases.
So, if you don’t want to wait to get your home looking and feeling winter ready, this option could give you the flexibility to do so, and pay it back over your chosen period (3, 6 or 12 months) with no interest. You can even cancel an instalment plan at any time with no penalty.
For example, you could buy the Dyson Hot + Cool for $599 and pay it off over 6 months for a one-off 3% fee (just $17.97).
I admit it, I’m a clean freak. Regular readers will know this is nothing new! And there’s nothing I love more than a clean and tidy home, it comes as no surprise that good looking, good smelling, good value cleaning products, in beautiful, neutral, modern packaging that looks nice enough to leave out (perhaps even deliberately!) get me more excited than they probably should do! And now that I have a toddler in the house, into everything and eating things off the floor, non-toxic, earth-friendly products are much more of a priority for me.
Introducing the new brand Organic Choice, which three lucky readers are going to win a year’s supply of! We’re not just talking cleaning products, but candles too.
This beautiful range has been developed right here in Australia, from the belief that products can be both effective, and sourced from sustainable, natural ingredients. Organic Choice is definitely filling a gap in the market. These environmentally friendly, sustainable household products are not only a healthier alternative to other cleaning products, but they have modern, non-garish packaging that looks great displayed in your home! Better yet, they are half the price of competitors that tick all those boxes and conveniently available exclusively at your local Coles.
We’re talking $5.50 for a 500ml Multipurpose Cleaner, $5 for a 500ml Dishwashing Liquid (it’s great to be able to leave these out and close at hand, especially when they’re not ugly!) up to $15 for a lidded Candle made with pure soy wax and essential oils.
There’s a large range too, also incorporating Fridge, Dishwasher & Bin Cleaner (I didn’t know I needed it until now either!), Shower and Vanity Cleaner (I’ve been road testing this and it seems to tackle glass and mirrors well too), and Air Freshener in a pump action bottle.
The packaging looks like dark green glass but is in fact recyclable plastic. It looks expensive and natural and will blend in well in your interiors. The products are not tested on animals and are palm oil free. And they all really work! I’ve been road testing them at home for you for a few weeks now.
Now let’s talk about the fragrances. Cleaning is certainly a much more enjoyable (okay, maybe the word is therapeutic!) experience when it leaves you smelling of essential oils rather than chemicals and bleach, right? We’re talking scents like West Indian Lime and Coconut, Lemongrass and Cedarwood (my personal fave) and Grapefruit and Pomegranate. I’ve tried a lot of candles in my time and these are great. The French Pear and Cinnamon Bark is perfect for Christmas and I love the Lemongrass and Cedarwood one burning in my kitchen.
Organic Choice is made right here in Australia by Aware Environmental, also behind well known brands like Orange Power, supported by Planet Ark Australia.
HOW TO ENTER
We know you’re a creative bunch so for your chance to win a year’s supply of Organic Choice products* we’d love you to head to Coles and pick up a product/s from the range. Of course we hope you’ll love it, and we’d like you to style a photo of the product in your home, or as a flat lay or vignette. Whatever you fancy really! Then simply share your picture to Instagram (and follow @organicchoiceaustralia) with the hashtag #OrganicChoiceMoment by midnight AEST on 30 November 2016. Remember, there will be three winners!
*Three winners will each get 12 bottles of Organic Choice Dishwashing Liquid (in two fragrances), six bottles of Organic Choice Air Freshener, three bottles of Organic Choice Multipurpose Cleaner, three bottles of Organic Choice Shower and Vanity Cleaner, three bottles of Organic Choice Fridge, Dishwasher and Bin Cleaner and six Organic Choice Candles (in two fragrances) delivered to their door. Open to Australian residents only.
If you have any questions, please ask them in the comments below.
OK, this is very exciting news, guys. Being a Pom, I have long been a fan of Marks & Spencer or good old M&S as it’s commonly known. I’ve grown up with this iconic British brand and when they started shipping here last year, it made my day. Most of Seb’s favourite baby outfits are from there! But what I didn’t realise was that you could also shop their homewares from here too. I assumed it was clothes only. This is both excellent and dangerous (for my bank balance) news.
So, being the martyr that I am, I have road tested the shopping experience for you. Marks & Spencer now have a dedicated Australian site so make sure that’s the one you’re browsing. I imagined the edit for us Aussies would be small and only things which were light to ship by air but I was wrong, there’s heaps to choose from! From bedding, towels, ready made curtains, throws and cushions, to kitchenware, bakeware, accessories and candles, to crockery, bathroom accessories, clocks and door knobs, you really can pretty much decorate your entire home. And shipping is free over $100.
My parcel arrived in just three days. I was so impressed. It was extremely well packaged and only one item, a candle lid, was sadly broken (I contacted customer service via the website about this and received an email apology and PayPal refund within hours. Too easy!). In fact, on opening the package my first thought was what a great place this is to buy gifts as everything comes so nicely packaged (but also with decent robust outer packaging for transit).
The Conran Medallion, solid marble for a mere $45!
I was reassured to see that M&S is still providing exactly what I’ve always known it for: quality and value. Although it’s high street store in the UK, it’s very much known for selling a higher quality product and its prices are very fair. While I’m all for supporting local businesses, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with doing some of your shopping overseas. It open you up to so much choice and having something a little different to everyone else. And when the prices are great too (and the shipping free), even better!
I was thrilled with my purchases. My favourites would have to be the M&S Collection Pom-Pom Throw (this is large and beautiful quality for $124), the Conran Medallion (a ridiculously good marble buy for $45 and fab decor piece) and the 2 Aperture Metal Frame in polished brass for $32 (it looks like it cost so much more).
It’s always fun to update your home with new decor pieces and those finishing touches really can make all the difference. If you love creating vignettes in your home and you don’t want the same old same old items all your friends have, check out the M&S offering. You’ll probably find things which look a lot more expensive than they are too. I love this antique-look Magnifying Glass, a snip at $17, and these Alphabet Scented Candles would make wonderful little gifts for just $11 and come in a great box.
Image source: M&S
While I definitely do not need anymore cushions in my house, I was sorely tempted by the gorgeous mix ‘n match nature of their alphabet cushions which would again make fab gifts.
Although there are many on trend items to pick from, I think what M&S really excels at is quality classic items.
What I also love about Marks & Spencer is the department store effect: you can buy so many things under the same roof and this makes for a great shopping experience. Even better online when you don’t have to go up and down the escalators. So if you happen to want some baby clothes, lingerie or socks for your husband while you’re stocking up on linen, go for it!
Another fear with shopping heavier homewares items online from overseas can be a hefty postage bill if you need to return something. Thankfully M&S have made this process streamlined too with returns to a local address rather then back to the UK. You may return or exchange unused products within 35 days of purchase with a valid parcel summary document. Your items don’t even need to be in the original box or bag as long as they’re securely packaged. You even have the option to post them or have a courier collect from your home from $5.95. Any refund will automatically be issued to the original payment method used when placing your order (i.e. card or PayPal account).
So, what are you waiting for? Time to try M&S homewares for yourself?
Disclosure: Links in this post are affiliate links.
Finders Keepers returns to their spiritual home at Eveleigh’s Australian Technology Park from the 29th of April to the 1st of May. As Australia’s leading maker market, there will be a fantastic range of goods on sale.
Photo: Dave Kan
One of the most enchanting things about Finders Keepers is that you are literally surrounded by beautiful and unique products, with the creative minds behind them on hand to assist you or have a chat should you be interested.
Find homemade ceramics, hand poured and deliciously scented candles, original artworks and cushions and homewares suited for whatever room you’re decorating.
Studio Cockatoo. Photo: Bec Taylor
There is innovative and one-of-a-kind fashion, accompanied by a plethora of handmade jewellery stalls. Just as much as I enjoy browsing the clothes for sale, I love checking out the outfits stallholders and customers put together for inspiration. The whole market is imbued with creativity, not least the people in it!
Urban Cartel. Photo: Dave Kan
Artist Leah Bartholomew, the mind behind homewares label Beneath The Sun, is featuring fine art at Finders Keepers this year. She says it’s this variety and chance to meet customers and fellow designers that draws her to the market.
“Hands down my favourite thing about the marker is meeting everyone who supports my brand, and interacting with fellow designers. It is such a highly professional setup where we get to showcase our work in beautiful buildings and be surrounded my top quality work.”
Beau Wylie. Photo: Bec Taylor
It’s this opportunity to interact and share creatively that is making Shane Thompson, creator of leather goods label Afternoons With Albert, so excited to be participating in his debut Finders Keepers. He is excited to show customers the passion and authenticity that he puts into his work.
Angus and Celeste. Photo: Bec Taylor
Shane is just one of many first-time stallholders at the market this year. Finders Keepers ensures that approximately 30% of the 200-plus stallholders are brand new, meaning that new and exciting items being created by community members have a chance to show off their work.
This is part of the magic of Finders Keepers – designers and artists at different stages of development meet and feed of each other. According to market organisers, the shoppers and community itself also helps nurture this growth.
Photo: Dave Kan
So if you’re in the market for bespoke and handmade goods, or even if you’re not (I’m yet to come away from Finders Keepers empty-handed despite intentions otherwise!), check out Finders Keepers. I can guarantee you’ll come away happy and inspired!
Zakkia is one homewares brand that is continuously stepping up their game. Starting off in 2012 selling decorative knobs, their Spring Summer 15 collection is leaps and bounds away from their humble beginnings.
With a range that includes hand blown glass vessels, water hyacinth baskets and versatile ceramic and brass objects, Zakkia have also expanded their iconic concrete collection to include 100% soy wax scented candles. “We worked with a local candle maker in the Southern Highlands and a local fragrance house to create these candles,” explains founder and Swede-turned-Sydneysider, Sara Lundgren. “After almost six years in Australia I was craving the scents of Sweden, so each custom scent blend resembles the four Swedish seasons – sommar (summer), host (autumn), vinter (winter) and vår (spring). I love the end result and the scents really do remind me of home!”
All designed in Sydney and hand produced by small artisan communities around the world, Zakkia’s style is a fusion of their Scandinavian roots and their new home in Bondi. “This season we are still building on our Swedish heritage but we have also brought in a bit more of the coastal Bondi lifestyle, with the aqua coloured glass pieces and braided water hyacinth baskets. The new collection is still very much in keeping with our minimalist design ethos, which comes through in the simple designs and clean lines.”
With each piece carefully handmade from high quality materials, Zakkia have continued to work with the raw natural materials they love, such as concrete and brass. It is for that reason Sara is very excited about one of their other latest additions, their Ghost Vases. “Made from a concrete base with a wire frame, these vases are quite a unique shape. Each piece is created to have multiple uses, and they have been very well received by our stockists.”
Zakkia’s Spring Summer 15 collection is now available for pre-order, to be received in early November. Prices start at $19.
Wanting to celebrate all that is wonderful about Australia, MOZI’s brand new collection, Flora Poética, delivers a modern take on Australia’s flora and fauna in a vibrant and bold colour palette.
Paying homage to the poetry of the Australian landscape from desert to sea, the range is perfect for getting you in the mood for summer and the good times that go hand in hand with our laid back lifestyle.
Featuring a combination of home textiles, kitchen and stationery products, summer-inspired fashion accessories, outdoor entertaining products, candles and gifting options; each piece features MOZI’s original illustrations in their signature colours.
“We are big fans of vintage Australiana – the tea towels in our grandmothers’ cupboards, the iconic art,” explains Fleur Harris, MOZI’s design manager. “We wanted to ‘MOZI-fy’ what is great from our past, with a fresh take to suit our current world and how we live, to create original illustrations using our trademark bright and playful colours and patterns. The rule was to go to the ‘edge of cheesy’ and not fall off!”
With a range of prints on offer, all encapsulate that quintessential Australian feel. Highlights include Flora & Fauna, which pays homage to the Australian bush (think cockatoos, galahs and king parrots amongst the gumtrees); Desert Rain, which takes you out into the northern parts of our land; and Australiana, which highlights our finest landmarks, anything from a curious kookaburra to the Sydney Harbour Bridge and the trams of Melbourne.
From the bush to the beach MOZI have also captured the smell of summer in their two fragrance stories. Golden Honey transports you to the outback, where you’ll stop to smell fresh flowers in the clean air and Coconut Splice evokes a sense of fun and a youthful spirit.
MOZI’s Flora Poética range is available now. Shop online.
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s gorgeous products (clockwise from top left)
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)
Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.
Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)
Inspired by the rich cultures of Polynesia, luxury homewares brand Island Trading Co. is the brainchild of blogger, Sydneysider and shopping queen Kathy Sheeran of Shopping Confessions.
Conscious of the impact of modern packaging on our oceans, Island Trading Co’s long-lasting wares come in woven drawstring bags (as packaging) that are useful later on too.
The range includes sateen sheets made from cotton with a high thread count and a soft glossy feel, hand-poured soy blend candles — with scents ranging from vanilla and caramel to cucumber and melon — and onyx tealight holders, which are hand carved from the semi-precious stone and all unique.
Paying tribute to a bygone era where gifts were treasured, Island trading Co. is all about supplying one-of-a-kind products for the home, which are reminiscent of the handcrafted quality of traditional South Pacific traders.
Under $500
