More than a place to rest your glass or book, side tables have become statements of their own of late. Whether sculptural in shape or crafted from an interesting materials (limestone, I’m looking at you!), the latest line-up of side tables is an arresting one indeed.
West Elm Terrace side table: With a nod to mid-century design, this side table features tiered glass shelves floating above a mirrored glass base. It works equally well beside a sofa as it does next to a bed. $449.
Life Interiors Cosmos side table: Combining a panelled timber base with a terrazzo top, this chic design is available with a plain oak or black base. $445.
En Gold Tierra Petite side table: Constructed from smokey agate limestone tiles applied to a hollow timber base structure, this piece’s chunky texture and step level design make it highly covetable. $590.
Elsian Zara rattan side table: This leaf-like design is crafted from panelled rattan and would make a unique statement in a coastal-inspired interior. $500.
Pantone’s much-anticipated 2020 Colour of the Year was revealed a few days ago, and I’ll admit to finding it a bit underwhelming at first – it certainly pales next to last year’s vibrant and inspiring shade. But while the colour does have an almost corporate feel, there’s no denying the enduring appeal of blue – what better hue is there to provide comfort through uncertain times?
“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by Pantone Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking,” says Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of The Pantone Color Institute.
Annie Sloan ‘Napoleonic Blue’ paint: Taking inspiration from Pantone’s Classic Blue, Annie Sloan’s ‘Napoleonic Blue’ is reminiscent of the ultramarine and cobalt blue pigments used in neoclassical interiors.
“Blue is one of my favourite colours, especially in interiors, because of its calming, recessive qualities. I’m so glad Pantone have chosen to highlight this blue for 2020, as I think we all need a little calm and tranquility for the coming year!” says Annie Sloan.
Artistudio ‘Botanicals 1’ limited edition print: Artist Arti Shah combines her background in graphic design, painting and photography to create her unique works. I love this gorgeous, moody blue floral. From $395 (unframed)
Adairs Home Republic Vespa denim blue pot: Useful as a place to store knick-knacks or your favourite plant, the textured finish is the best thing about this pot. $19.99.
Fenton & Fenton Lapis Lazuli tray: Made from Lapis Lazuli (which usually exhibits a varied but deep, celestial blue), this is one statement making tray. $310.
Globewest Theodore Louis occasional chair: Merging classic French style with Art Deco details, this velvet chair has a tufted back and brass-tipped tapered legs. It’s the perfect blue accent piece. $1605.
Fenton & Fenton will present an online art auction ‘Peace of Art’ this month, with all proceeds going to School’s a Gift – an Australian not-for-profit organisation that is helping impoverished Ethiopian children attend school. The auction will feature a diverse collection of Australian artists including Antoinette Ferwerda, Michael Bond, Carly Williams and Dion Horstmann, plus emerging artists too.
The ‘Peace of Art’ auction pieces are a gorgeous, eclectic bunch
“To date, the charity has managed to help over 5,000 children access primary or secondary education, with over half of them girls. Our last Peace of Art event in 2016 exceeded expectations and raised $125,000, which was used to rebuild three primary schools that were unsafe and turning children away. Now these children are in high quality classrooms with access to clean water and toilets which is contributing to improved livelihoods and the empowerment of so many young people, particularly girls, who are usually the most disadvantaged,” says School’s a Gift founder Georgina Fenton.
There are some fabulous works up for grabs!
Fenton & Fenton founder Lucy Fenton is equally excited about the prospect of raising even more money this year, and was elated at the number of pieces that have been donated. “We are overwhelmed by the support from the Australian art community, with over 60 artists having each donated a piece of art, featuring a number of our regular Fenton & Fenton contributors, as well as some newcomers to our stable,” says Lucy.
Online bidding commences this Wednesday,, November 14 before wrapping up on November 22 and our Melbourne readers can peruse the pieces at Fenton & Fenton’s Prahran store until the auction period is over.
I am SO on board with the terrazzo trend and I’m currently lusting after these beautiful Terrazzo Stumps (never has something called a stump looked so good!) from Fenton & Fenton.
They’d be amazing by the bath, as bedside, side tables, and so many places! The only question is, which colour? $350 each. As for that bath (above), there are no words!
Warmer colours are definitely trending this year (think terracotta and mustard) and this new limited edition colour, Desert Rose, from I Love Linen, ticks all the boxes. Founder Lauren Roe says: “This year we’re working on building up a palette of earthy shades with some feminine elements blended into it. It is a really beautiful colour and was inspired by my love of terrazzo, clay and pottery, and those sun drenched warm terrains you find on a European summer escape.” From $34.95.
How gorgeous is this bench, the latest addition to DesignByThem’s Bow collection? Designed by Tom Fereday, the range celebrates the natural undulations of solid timber with its slender backrest and accentuated grain. Each Bow Chair and Bench is carefully crafted with a mirrored grain to highlight the sweeping backrest. From $4,340 for the bench.
I recently discovered the work of Australian photographic artist Catherine Jensen and I’m hooked! This Octans Hydrangea print (from $55) has gone straight to my lust list!
I hope you liked my latest finds. I’ll be back with more soon.
While eclectic is a bit of a hackneyed word, it’s hard to think of a better term to describe the style of Lucy Fenton, the owner of much-loved Melbourne interiors store Fenton & Fenton. Drawing on her extensive travels, Lucy manages to combine seemingly disparate objects with stylish aplomb – think vintage one-off finds with bold textiles, statement artwork and plenty of colour and texture too. As we bring back our much loved feature Covet My Coffee Table today, we’re delighted to have her share a snippet of her home with us!
Lucy’s lounge room
And as can be expected from an interiors bowerbird like Lucy, her coffee table is an ever-changing tableau. “My coffee table styling changes all the time, but I’ve always got a bit of colour, some greenery and books, books, and more books. I love to mix exotic and one-off finds with contemporary pieces, mixing up shapes and styles. If anything, this has become my signature look,” says Lucy whose lounge room features a coffee table that was designed by her and her team. “It’s the Mahal design and the top is Indian white marble and the base is a powder coated steel. I selected the white on white for our own home, but it also comes with a black marble top or a black frame too. Being a smallish room, I didn’t want anything too heavy and felt a round table would soften the otherwise angular shapes in the room.”
The all-important coffee table styling ingredient – books!
“The right coffee table can make or break a space. It’s a bit like fitting the final piece in a puzzle. Too big and it can look clunky, too small and it’s not functional. So form and function are key to getting it right. The coffee table is one of the hardest working pieces in a house. The kids play around it, you serve food and drinks from it, it holds books, treasures and memories. In most instances, it’s smack bang in the middle of a room too, so it should complement the rest of the space,” says Lucy.
Lucy’s coffee table features a Fenton & Fenton wire cube, selection of books and aloe vera in a vintage glass vase
Currently, Lucy’s coffee table features aloe vera cuttings displayed inside a vintage coloured glass vase, picked up at a market in Daylesford, VIC. “It complements the delicate display domes and glassware by the talented Amanda Dziedzic that also feature in our living room.” The wire cube is from Fenton & Fenton and it is displayed alongside an array of books. “Being a fashion and interior lover, there’s always a pile of books for end of the day inspo. A coffee or side table just doesn’t feel complete without a stack of my favourite books. I love it when guests flick through them and I love checking out what other people are reading when visiting their homes,” says Lucy.
You can see Lucy LOVES colour!
“Being a total colour enthusiast, I love how what you put atop a coffee table can change a space, alter a mood and tell a story about who lives in the house. I don’t like coffee tables (or much for that matter) left empty, but also not too hectic either. Only ever put pieces you really love on your coffee table, and don’t forget the books and plants or flowers. They bring colour and personality into a space.”
Inspired by Slim Aarons’ iconic 1960’s Palm Spring pics, the summer 2016 collection from Fenton & Fenton had us drooling this week – we’ll have one of everything please! Shot on location at a Modernist Melbourne abode, the photos certainly make staying home this Christmas look very appealing indeed.
“The shoot itself was inspired by photographer Slim Aarons and his dreamy images, capturing opulent holiday moments in glam pads, Palm Springs style. Think Modernist architecture, pops of colour and friends enjoying the good life!” says Lucy Fenton.
Featuring hanging pods, tables, poufs, rattan bar carts, metallic bean bags, Pop and Scott pots, Basil Bangs umbrellas, cushions, picnic rugs and the all-important Sunnylife inflatables for the pool, it’s a super fun vibe only augmented by the gorgeous colour palette of brights mixed with neutrals. Think watermelon, aqua, pale pink, navy, orange and mustard.
“The ‘Holiday at Home’ Summer collection was inspired by long lazy days spent with family and friends. We believe sunny days call for an impromptu gathering of friends and wanted to inspire others to relax and live it up at home this summer. Think pool parties, long leisurely barbecue lunches, barefoot alfresco evenings and sun drenched cocktails on the balcony or lawn with fabulous friends,” says Lucy.
“The colourful and joyful collection has been designed to mix things up and have a bit of fun. We are loving our new bar carts, available in rattan, black and white. They are an entertainer’s best friend, designed to stock in advance so everyone can help themselves to drinks so the host can relax with friends,” says Lucy who has designed a new collection of Mr Fenton beach towels too.
“My favourite pieces are the rope collection which is designed for both indoor and outdoor use. The Calypso lounger is one of the highlights, both for looks and comfort,” says Lucy.
Photography Eve Wilson | Styling: Andy Moore for Fenton & Fenton
Further cementing its position as a one-stop-shop for highly covetable furniture, lighting, soft furnishings, rugs and art, Fenton & Fenton return this spring with a gorgeous new range that features a vibrant palette to reflect the changing of the seasons. You’ll also find plenty of the signature eclecticism the brand is famous for.
The store’s art offering is always brilliant and the new works are no exception – there are new pieces from Megan Grant, Kristen Daniels, Carly Williams and Helen McCullagh for spring. The store’s unique patterned rugs are back in new colour ways and you can also find fabulous new silk carpets and towels created by Mr Fenton too. As per usual, the rugs don’t disappoint – they’re some of the best we’ve seen and will instantly transform any space.
That rug! Swoon!
Exclusive to Fenton & Fenton, the new spring range also boasts a pretty gorgeous collection of furniture and lighting, designed for both indoor and outdoor living. “The furniture is both elegant and playful and designed to help us enjoy a colourful, expressive life and remind us of the joy that spring brings”, says the company founder Lucy Fenton.
The Fenton & Fenton range is developed and inspired by Lucy’s globe-trotting adventures. “The curated collection of art, furniture and homewares are sourced and inspired by our travels around the globe. It’s then skillfully crafted using a mix of materials like marble, timber, silk and leather to create visual harmony,” says Lucy.
Signature pieces include the new Woodrow collection (that was designed in-house) and the chic leather range – Fenton & Fenton fans will be pleased to hear that the brand’s popular and versatile folding chairs are back for spring alongside more bench options, dining and occasional chairs too.
Purveyors of some of Australia’s most beautiful art, furniture and homewares, Melbourne’s Fenton & Fenton are celebrating this winter with what promises to be a fabulous exhibition. The Winter Group Show opened last week and runs until 9 June.
“We are super excited to announce our latest exhibition,” says Lucy Fenton of the showcase that will feature Australian artists such as Laelie Berzon, Jai Vasicek, Annie Everingham & Tara Pearce.
“We see it as a great chance to get inspired with fresh ways to display art within your home, dress your walls, your floors and little nooks.”
For more information, visit the events tab here.
Fenton & Fenton | 471 High St | Prahran VIC 3181
Photography: Armelle Habib | Styling by Heather Nette King with Fenton & Fenton products and Haymes paint
How fun are these chairs?! I can predict many an argument over who gets to sit in them!
Reminiscent of the classic hanging chair of the 70’s, Byron Bay Hanging Chairs have brought out a diverse range of chairs made from natural rattan.
With vintage shapes that can’t be find anywhere else, the first shipment sold out in weeks with the likes of Fenton & Fenton and Sibella Court’s The Society Inc snatching them up.
Suitable for hanging indoors or under a sheltered area, they are made from high quality material, meaning if looked after well, they could last generations.
There’s already a waitlist for their next delivery, so be quick!