We love Contents International Design’s curated edit of gorgeous Australian made and international treasures. Because they don’t subscribe to the discounting mentality of many retailers and really only go on sale twice a year, this is your time to snap up something lovely at 10% off.
Everything is on sale across the board, from homewares to custom-made, pre-ordered sofas and everything in between. It’s not just what’s on the shop floor (at their Moore Park and Castle Hill showrooms), but anything you want to order to be made to your specifications.
If you’re looking for the perfect, Australian made lounge or dining setting, now is the time to go for a chat about creating it. They only sell quality furniture they expect to last your family many years.
Contents have everything from sofas and coffee tables to bedroom furniture, dining settings, occasional chairs, home office furniture, outdoor settings and more and their stores are a great place to have a wander and get some interior inspiration.
For me, their lighting and homewares in general are an amazing curated edit, so if I was to pick my top choice, it would be the Kelly Wearstler Linden lamp, which I already own at home (also now as my third child!). It comes in black and white and two different sizes, starting at $2430 (or $2187 with the discount). They have plenty of other floor and table lamps (as well as pendants) from designer brands like Wearstler and Aerin Lauder, to the more affordable.
A good coffee table is a great investment and something worth buying on sale. Contents have so many great options, whatever your aesthetic.
The same goes for occasional chairs. The right statement armchair can really make your room!
The sale is on until 3 July 2022. Contents ID is at Moore Park Supa Centa and HomeCo. Hills, Castle Hill.
If you’d like to add a touch of Contents ID’s great taste to your home, complete the form below for a chance to win this set of a bamboo box (perfect for the coffee table!) and two matching frames, worth $265.
Contents ID’s bi-annual mega sale, which started on Boxing Day, is still going until 2 February so your chance to grab a beautiful bargain for your home is by no means over. We thought we’d round up a few of our favourites. Absolutely everything is on sale including custom orders and floor stock, and there’s additional discounts for their VIP customers.
Excitingly, this is the first time the sale’s also been available to shop online, since Contents entered the eCommerce world at the end of last year.
Now in their 13th year of business, the furniture and homewares store in Sydney’s Moore Park Supa Centa is one of our favourite independents with a constant flow of expertly curated new and interesting pieces. As a rule, they don’t mark up to mark down, so their bi-annual sale is not to be missed.
We’re in love with the Montana sofa
This chair works in many different styles of home
Their in-store staff experience (as well as in-home interior design consultations) give a personal touch in helping you add to your décor and home, and they’ll work with you to find the right pieces from their hundreds of suppliers.
Save more than $200 off this show stopping Globewest coffee table which I had in my old apartment. It’s divine!
Contents is one of Australian largest stockists of the designers’ favourite brand Globewest, as seen on The Block, so now’s the chance to buy something you coveted on the show at a great price.
While we love a bargain, we’re also firm believers in splashing out on statement pieces too, should your budget allow. And while it’s not the first item that springs to mind when you think of a hero piece, the statement lamp holds an important place in modern interior design. But when a single lamp can cost up to five figures, is it worth the investment?
“I believe a statement lamp is definitely worth the investment. It adds extra character to a setting and is another element to assist in carrying through colours and finishes – brass accents for example. A cheap piece will only bring the rest of the setting down instead of adding life to a space,” says Andrew Algar, owner of Contents International Design.
Chosen well (a neutral tone is usually a smart purchase), a good quality high-end lamp will give back many times over the years. “It is also a piece that, if invested in, can be utilised in other rooms down the line if you change your décor or move to a new house,” says Andrew.
And while there is amazing variety these days, as with any hero piece, you must make sure it doesn’t compete with the rest of the room. “If you were to keep the sofa, chairs, and table quite simple, a feature lamp will be the standout and lift the entire setting as well as providing much needed mood lighting too,” says Andrew.
Like dark paint colour and bold prints, Andrew encourages you to dive right in when it comes to making the purchase. “Look for elements in a lamp that will accent something already in your room to help it carry through, and don’t be afraid to go over scale. If you’re investing in a feature piece you want it to be noticed!”
This month, Contents International Design is celebrating an impressive 10 years in business as an independent designer furniture and homewares store. Owner Andrew Algar recalls some of the hurdles, ups and downs and favourite parts of the past decade in business.
Coming from a wholesale background, at the start and my first venue in retail it was a bit of ‘just get on with it and work it out’. Most days you had no idea what you were doing but had to look like you did while you figured it out. I’m so thankful to have the ear of my father, having been in the industry over 40 years, even if just for those days you need to vent to someone who’s been there before. Opening with one supplier, I rapidly saw the need for lots of different aspects to be offered within the store. I had many people saying they loved the store but didn’t need a sofa right now, so adding homewares into the offering was the next logical step.
It’s exciting, having got here, knowing that only two percent of businesses that start make it to 10 years, but sad knowing so many don’t. I feel most business fail initially due to lack of startup funds, expecting to make money the week they open. It’s a tough slog, especially starting something nobody’s heard of, selling something new to a market in a place no one can find. I believe there is no substitute for just downright hard work, there are times when you feel like you’re on a treadmill with a carrot in front of you.
As a 26 year-old, there were many eye-burning Sunday mornings in the shop after a couple the night before, telling yourself it’s only sleep, you can catch up later! I’m still waiting for later but it feels like if I did, three years would pass with my finger off the pulse and I’d look back with regret knowing it was me that took the finger off, not anyone else. I’m very thankful to a loving wife who knows how important the shop is (especially when I’ve worked seven days for three weeks).
Location was an issue with the store’s initial setup; foot traffic wasn’t there so we had to drum up people and trade any way we could. But this combined with opening three months before the GFC, sprawling doom and gloom across the media was a good lesson, learning how to run the business off the smell of an oily rag and a good reminder of what could happen.
Moving to the Supa Centa Moore Park in 2012 was a lightbulb moment with their refurbishment and enhanced tenants, it was an opportunity to create a wonderful space throwing everything into it. Accessibility was much better and we had a gauge to test products with. It’s hard to tell if people like something if they aren’t there. I believe doing things by halves will get you half the result, I’d feel better knowing I put everything into something and it failed than wondering ‘what if?’ afterwards.
I still feel like I’ve been in retail 10 minutes rather than 10 years, yet love the possibilities and freedom that come with having no rules. We can’t wait for our 10th year with many exciting things coming up this year and want to thank everyone that has made it possible along the way.
To celebrate the anniversary, everything is on sale until 4 February 2018.
There is such thing as too much choice, and when you own a furniture and homewares store and you’re attempting a home renovation, making a decision can be near to impossible. “Being exposed to so much every day made it hard as I’d love something then get sick of it quickly,” explains Andrew Algar, owner of Contents International Design. “So I tried hard to find different, natural finishes that wouldn’t date and would always be beautiful.”
After
Before
A once dated terrace in Sydney’s Bondi Junction, Andrew and his wife Michelle lived in the home for two years before starting work; a considerable time when you find out what they went through. “Whenever it rained, the kitchen was 10cm underwater so we always had kitchen shoes ready at the entrance… and then there was the very old, steep timber staircase that was a hard negotiation sober, let alone at night!”
After
Before
But living in the home for some time did have its benefits, with the couple changing their renovation plans once they got to know the space better. What was going to be an extension with some cosmetic changes instead became a full-blown demolition. “We soon realised most of what was there wasn’t worth building off, so we gutted it, only leaving the façade and side walls.”
After
The major transformation, which saw the attic turn into a third floor complete with bedroom and study, took 11 months, a shock for the first-time renovators. “This was our first house and our first reno so we had no previous experience to compare it to,” says Andrew. “Anyone who’s renovated or done any building understands that the whole process is trying, but it’s all for a good cause and the end result will make all that go away.”
After
Now, with a finished home, it’s difficult to pick a favourite part, though the staircase does get a special mention. “It’s a feature piece that is the centre of the home and links everything together. I am so happy with how it turned out, it was exactly as I’d imagined, just getting there was harder than I thought!”
After
After
Also worthy of note are the attic windows, which ended up being a bargain that transformed the space. “In the attic, we originally had a single dormer window looking out the front. It wasn’t until the place was gutted that I took a ladder up and realised you could see Botany Bay across to Kurnell from there! So we changed the DA and put in a full size dormer window facing the other way.” Paying a small council fee and with the materials already accounted for, the room was completely converted for a low price. “It now has dramatically more space with a view and a heap more light that pours down the open staircase.”
After
The finished product is a character home brought back to life. And in my opinion, new builds can never beat that!
We live on the other side of Sydney from Moore Park so I’ll admit it had been a while since I’d visited the Supa Centa but, being abreast of all things interiors, I knew plenty of great new stores had opened there. So when they invited me to come shopping for home office supplies, I didn’t need asking twice. When you work from home like I do, the home office is really important! It’s also great when you get to choose the look and feel of this space and can avoid all things corporate (while still being mindful that sitting at the wrong furniture all day –however good-looking– can leave your back suffering!). Yup, I’m officially old!
The centre has a really nice, spacious layout and everything is well signposted, which always gets me off to a good start. There’s plenty of parking too, and places to buy coffee! I knew we (myself, husband Damian and toddler Sebastian) could safely be here for hours, and when I discovered a children’s play area, well, we couldn’t ask for more!
Top of my shopping list was a new desk. I already have an antique secretaire, which I’m keeping too, but I wanted something bigger, and better ergonomically. I browsed some nice options at BoConcept (they have one that attaches to the wall and pulls down, so great for small spaces), Shack and Icon By Design (all solid timber) before settling on the simple shape and beautiful beech of the Altar desk at Contents International Design. I am a long time fan of this shop, which stocks some of my favourite furniture and homewares brands. The visual merchandising in here is a real standout, so when I saw ‘my’ desk styled up in a gorgeous looking study nook, it definitely helped seal the deal! I just had to get out the door without buying one of everything! At $1,045 for a large desk in gorgeous solid timber with a drawer, it won over something similar I’d seen for $1,500 in another store.
My desk in store at Contents International Design
It’s worth mentioning that all the shops at the Supa Centa are really spacious which not only makes it feel lovely and open, but means getting around them with a pram, as I did, is no issue!
Onto the desk chair: a tricky purchase if ever there was one! As I was saying before, ergonomics are important if you spend a lot of time in your home office, but so many desk chairs are downright ugly and bulky. You’ll not find any black pleather in my house! As soon as I saw the Phoenix chair at Freedom though, I knew it was going to work well. It’s upholstered for a start, in a very inoffensive grey fabric which will go with everything. It’s slightly padded for comfort and, most importantly, it’s on wheels, height-adjustable and it swivels, so my back will be happy! As a bonus, it doesn’t have arms, so you can tuck it away under the desk. All this for $199, which I think is a real steal.
My desk set up at home with the chair and ottoman from Freedom
The beech timber is beautiful. Also pictured: boxes from Orson & Blake
While in Freedom, I couldn’t resist the glam new Palm Springs Ottoman so I quickly got to work thinking how I could justify this piece as a home office essential (come on, we’ve all done it!). I came up with the following: somewhere to put my feet up while reading documents (I know, I know!) and a spare seat for the rare occasions I’ll let my husband share the desk when he works from home. Purchase made!
Clearly a desk is not a purely functional piece and when you’re an interiors addict, there is always a styling or decorative opportunity to be had! I knew Orson & Blake was the perfect place to source some stunning trinkets and was not disappointed. These beautiful lidded boxes are perfect for keeping pens, paperclips and USB sticks, and the gold star is a paperweight. Obviously! The charming shop assistant, who had no idea who I was or that I was writing about the experience, was delightful and even gave me a discount!
Some of the accessories from Orson & Blake on my desk at home. How good is the star ‘paperweight’?!
In fact, I genuinely received great customer service everywhere at the Supa Centa, which was really refreshing and welcome, especially on a Saturday, when everyone can be super busy and a little frazzled.
Shopping at Supa Centa Moore Park
Some of my other favourite stores were Max Sparrow, King Living and Boori. Whatever your budget and whether you’re looking for furniture, homewares, manchester, flooring, window furnishings or outdoor furnishings, you can find it all under one roof at Supa Centa Moore Park!
Frequently featured in magazines, on TV and in the finest hotels, internationally acclaimed home furnishing company Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, is now available in Australia.
Being stocked exclusively by Contents International Design, the stylish and comfortable range most recently garnered attention after providing all the set furniture for the award-winning TV series, The Good Wife.
Handmade in the USA to the highest quality, the furnishings, which include upholstery, case goods and homewares, take inspiration from the Hollywood Regency style. Using a contemporary collection of eclectic shapes and materials, each piece has its own story and is a statement in itself.
Visit Contents International Design online or at Sydney’s Moore Park Supa Centa.
This week’s coffee table comes to you from the child and pet-friendly, yet ever so stylish home, of interior designer and Block judge Darren Palmer!
Every coffee table needs a tray, of course, and a bit of plant life (gum nuts from the Sydney Flower Market and roses from Thomas Dux). The books change often and the Belle magazine came courtesy of the recent Belle Coco Republic Interior Design Awards goodie bag.
The coffee table itself came from Boyd Blue and was chosen because it’s low enough for his son to play lego on (much lego can also be found stored underneath!)
“You can also see two of our three dogs and our cat,” Darren says. Read more about his tips for a child and pet-friendly home and see photos of his home in our previous interview.
This photo by Jacqui Turk
Check out all our other Covet my Coffee Tables here.
