Tag: industrial

How to give any home a sophisticated industrial vibe

Post author By Jekyll Chau
Post date June 24, 2022
No Comments on How to give any home a sophisticated industrial vibe

An industrial look can suit more than just warehouse apartments. The trend continues to evolve with its modern and sophisticated edge. Often connected to exposed bricks, a peppering of wood and black features, creating a more industrial look in your home can create an enviable eclectic look and feel.

Henley’s Sahara 40 at their Lara display centre, showcases an industrial look with Austral Cultured Sands Opaque Calcite brick and contrasting painted timber cladding in Monument.

Henley Design’s Dean Peatling shares his tips and tricks when it comes to creating the no-fuss industrial look.

Getting into the industrial zone

Industrial design has many elements to it. People usually think of old industrial warehouses or factories that have been converted into apartments, but an industrial vibe can still be achieved in your house even if it isn’t a renovated factory.

To celebrate a room with an industrial finish, opt for furnishings which are simple in design but can be accentuated with natural textures and a neutral palette. Think oversized comfy cushions and throw rugs, as well as faux fur and linens.

“When designing a space with an industrial finish in mind, simplicity and comfort are the two priorities. Consider stripping back on the architectural details and stick to fixtures and furnishings that have that raw sophistication to them such as a statement dining table with pared back chairs on top of a textured rug in latte or beige.”

What’s to love about the industrial look?

“What I love most about an Industrial finish is the boldness and character this style brings to your home. It’s exciting and interesting and seeing recycled and raw materials being used is inspiring and conversational. Industrial finishes can be dark and moody or light and bright; it’s a truly timeless style.

Industrial kitchen vibes in the Ashbury 30 at World of Homes Wollert

“The emphasis with the industrial look is to incorporate natural and bare materials in your styling choices. However, an occasional pop of colour, often seen in flowers or soft furnishing, is also welcomed!”

Pulling off industrial style

To create the ultimate industrial space, your go-to materials include stone, distressed leather, copper and wood. With stone benchtops and wooden or laminate floors, you have the foundation to build on the industrial feel with fittings and fixtures you come across on your travels.

Industrial style also celebrates the silhouette – often leaning towards block shapes or squared lines. While there is flexibility to this ‘rule’ keeping it simple and sharp sets the scene to any industrial space in your home.

Keeping spaces clutter-free is king. A peppering of abstract wall art, coupled with cool and decorative pieces will amplify your space.

For more about Henley Design

Industrial style: A moody yet bright home in Perth

Appropriately titled ‘The Ash,’ this newly built Perth home uses materials such as concrete, timber and brick in a moody…

Tags brick, expert tips, industrial, industrial style, renovating

Bathrooms Design Kitchens RENO ADDICT

Caesarstone new colours 2018: texture and patina rule

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date July 5, 2018
No Comments on Caesarstone new colours 2018: texture and patina rule

Inspired by the unpolished colours, textures and patinas found in industrial architecture, Caesarstone’s latest collection evokes a New York loft and includes three brand spanking designs. “Caesarstone’s new Metropolitan collection rethinks the brutalism of concrete incorporating textural effects, aged patinas, and oxidized accents for the first time ever in quartz surfaces using innovative proprietary technology. The result is an urban look of concrete with a more experimental, refined and romantic expression,” says Caesarstone vice president of marketing Eli Feiglin.

Caesarstone's new 'Topus Concrete' design — Caesarstone’s new Topus Concrete design

“The new 2018 colours are created with the view towards the upcoming trends and our vision of consistently meeting and anticipating different interior design schemes and palettes. They represent our steadily evolving journey as leaders in premium surfaces,” says Eli of the three new designs – Airy Concrete, Topus Concrete and Excava.

Caesarstone's new Excava design — Caesarstone’s new Excava design

The new collection has been designed to reflect the textures of manufacturing – think oxidised steel, poured plaster and raw concrete – and it’s also the first time that weathered patinas have been achieved in quartz. The variations in appearance certainly look like the real thing.

Airy Concrete
Perfect for concrete lovers, this new design is a versatile light grey colour that features dark grey and white areas. It has an authentic rough concrete finish making it indistinguishable from the real thing, but with all the easy care features of Caesarstone. This is possibly the most versatile of the new designs and will complements most tiles or shades of timber.

Caesarstone's new 'Airy Concrete' design — Caesarstone’s new Airy Concrete design

Topus Concrete
Similar to the Airy Concrete design but with a blush undertone, this new design is inspired by topological strata and combines nature’s mineral formations with the rugged patinas of industrial materials. It also features a rough concrete finish and while a perfect foil to the pastel interior trend, it looks equally at home paired with dark timbers and black elements too.

Excava
This finish is no doubt a response to the statement stone trend. The design is intended to mimic the intriguing patinas of casting and oxidising, combining the authentic features of rust and concrete – the finished result features shades of copper and dark brown. Equally, it’s made to look like the geological decay of stone, weathered by time and nature and has a rough concrete finish also.

For more information

How Jen used Caesarstone in her own kitchen reno | A chic industrial inspired kitchen

Tags airy concrete, bathroom, caesarstone, Caesarstone new colours 2018, concrete, excava, industrial, industrial style, interiors, kitchen, topus concrete

Competitions Furniture Homewares

You’ll never believe this stuff is from Early Settler!

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date March 15, 2018
17 Comments on You’ll never believe this stuff is from Early Settler!

Win a gorgeous Scandi-industrial console from Curious Grace!

Post author By Amy Collins-Walker
Post date March 15, 2017
No Comments on Win a gorgeous Scandi-industrial console from Curious Grace!

Australian furniture and homewares purveyor Curious Grace has just added the super stylish Industrial M furniture range to their line-up of highly covetable goods. “It is the marriage of Miss Scandi and Mr Industrial, the yin and yang of our favourite design types here in Australia. We call it Scandi Industrial and the label has a warehouse vibe about it for easy, relaxed, Australian living,” says Curious Grace co-founder and buyer Anna Curnuck.

Industrial M coffee table in graphite, $839

As the name suggests, the furniture’s styling is primarily industrial in feel and the pieces feature natural oak paired with powdercoated metal in either white or graphite. “The collection offers great unpretentious design, extremely high quality and, importantly, affordability. Constructed of solid oak with steel legs and a powdercoat finish, it’s designed to be used and to last, not just to look cute and be disposed of,” says Anna. We like the sound of that!

Industrial M TV unit 150 in white, $1275

The range includes dining tables, coffee tables, bar tables, dining chairs, bar stools, bench seats, sideboards, TV units and consoles and, while you can peruse the range online, it’s also on display at the Curious Grace showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne.

Industrial M Extension dining table, $2449

“My favourite pieces are the console, sideboard and the extension table. I love the fact that the grain of the timber extensions goes the opposite way to the main table length – it’s just a little rebellious, the way we like it,” says Anna of the stylish, extendable dining table.

And given the simple colour palette, the range really lends itself to mix and match styling too. “Pairing a black table with white and black chairs looks great – very monochromatic and urban. Mixing up the chairs and a bench seat also looks great. You can also make it your own by styling it with a mix of what you already have,” says Anna.

Industrial M sideboard in graphite, $2780

To celebrate the launch of the range, we have one of the fabulous Industrial M consoles available to win in your choice of either white or graphite. Valued at $985, the versatile furniture item makes for a fabulous prize! Just complete the form below by 6pm on Friday 17 March 2017 for your chance. Open to Australian residents only.

Shop online

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Tags curious grace, design, furniture, industrial, industrial m, industrial style, scandi, scandi style

Bathrooms Before & Afters Design House Tours Real Renos RENO ADDICT

Real Reno: Monochrome bathroom makeover

Post author By Lauren Ellis
Post date October 20, 2016
No Comments on Real Reno: Monochrome bathroom makeover

Relaxing in the bath has never been more enjoyable for a Victorian family who for $12,000, have completely transformed their beige bathroom into a bold, industrial masterpiece.

“The main black tiles for the floor and bath have a rustic charm about them which adds some texture to the room. The larger tiles are paired with bold black and white marble mosaics in a chevron pattern which frames the window and adds so much personality to the little space,” said designer Fiona Parry-Jones whose brief was to transform the small bathroom into an interesting and bold space for guests and family to use.

“I then added some simple subway tiles to lighten the walls and compliment the feature tiles. The vanity is a gorgeous walnut veneer that adds warmth to the monochromatic room.”

Homeowner Anna Smith is thrilled with the cosmetic makeover which took six weeks and also included a new mirror, bath and tapware. “The new tile colour is really modern and makes the house feel much fresher and newer when walking past the bathroom.”

The black and white tiles are now her favourite feature, although they did prove a little tricky to lay. “The biggest challenge for the tiler was mitering an edge for the window reveal in the chevron tile,” said Anna.

The subway tiles were the biggest bargain along with the custom timber veneer vanity which according to Anna “wasn’t too expensive and came up really well.”

As for advice for other would-be renovators considering a bathroom makeover, Anna says “when using small tiles as a feature wall, make sure it’s a wall that doesn’t have any external corners – keeps things simple!” Anna also recommends finding “trades that you feel comfortable with rather than picking the cheapest and listen to what advice they offer. Also seek recommendations and referrals off friends, family and workmates.”

Fiona Parry-Jones is a creative director at Von Haus Design School. Photo’s courtesy of Kate Hansen from The Room Illuminated.

Tags bathroom, industrial, makeover, monochrome, real reno, reno, renovation, tiler, tiles

RENO ADDICT The Block

Life after Block: Caro & Kingi’s real reno, part 2: the style

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date March 29, 2016
No Comments on Life after Block: Caro & Kingi’s real reno, part 2: the style

By Caroline Tahana

Industrial but with a hint of Hamptons. How can we make this work?!

When it comes to our own home renovations the first question a lot of people have asked us is will the famous “Scandustrial” style be making an appearance in our own home? Will we have a graffiti bath? Well the answer is yes. And no!

Kingi loves the industrial style and so do I, but I’m also draw to the Hamptons style which I think will suit our 1970s home.

Industrial style can be sometimes come across as cold and hard but my aim is to work my magic and soften the whole feel and look of the house. I love the rawness of industrial but I love the warmth of that Hamptons/Country style brings to any family home.

Being married to a super talented man like Kingi you can be assured we will definitely be having his signature rendering work throughout our home, and why wouldn’t we? He’s amazing at what he does! (Insert proud wife here). Render doesn’t have to look hard or rough and what Kingi can do with Marrakesh and his Venetian plaster range will showcase in our home without a doubt.

Our colour palette for the new home will consist of greys, blacks, whites, warm timber floors and of course rendering. I love the texture and feel faux leather furniture brings to any living area, but with children I also love how easy it is to clean!

We want to create a style which has neutral colours as its bones so we can change the décor as the trends change over the next 15 years or so without it costing too much! I’m in love with the soft Scandinavian pastels at the moment so our bedrooms will have the lavenders and violet colours without being too feminine. The industrial element will even this out and make our master bedroom perfect for the both of us.

When we designed our Block apartment, we took in the location and what was around it. With the famous Chapel Street just 600m down the road, we knew we had to style it to suit the area. But now with our own home it’s a bit different. This will be our forever home; where we will grow our family, were the kids will go to school down the road. I won’t be making quick decisions with this renovation, that’s for sure! I think agreeing on the design and style of our own home might test us a little bit more than The Block did! Until next week…happy renovating!

Caro x

Check out Caro & Kingi’s website | Follow them on Facebook or Instagram

Tags blockheads, caro and kingi, caroline tahana, forever home, hamptons, industrial, real reno, renovating, scandi, the block, townsville

Designers

Travel down The Rabbit Hole to discover a reinvented tea bar

Post author By Guest Poster
Post date January 11, 2016
No Comments on Travel down The Rabbit Hole to discover a reinvented tea bar

Recently winning a Best Restaurant Design award, it’s no surprise that Matt Woods’ latest project, The Rabbit Hole – Organic Tea Bar, reinvents the tired and clichéd teahouse concept.

Located in the heart of Redfern, Sydney, the design make the most of the site’s industrial roots with polished concrete floors, exposed herringbone timber ceilings and original brick walls. The harshness of the original architecture is softened through the white-washing of these newly exposed elements, as well as the introduction of oversized windows which allow light to flood the interior.

Influenced by the Japanese art of Kintsugi (a celebration of the beauty of imperfection in ceramic objects), every element honours its inspiration, from the Kintsugi bowls sitting delicately above turned oak timbers, to the expansive use of crushed ceramic tile, and even the chandelier made entirely of tea bags (by Chilean artist Valeria Burgoa).

Juxtaposing these contemporary feature elements are the wire-brushed oak timbers of the table frames, the steel-framed wall with pivoting windows, and the leather seat cushions with brass-buckled back rests. Century-old French oak floor joists are used to create the service counter, while a shark-nosed granite top sits effortlessly in the room as a group dining table.

Sustainability is at the heart of The Rabbit Hole project, with FSC certified or recycled timber, VOC free paint finishes, energy efficient lighting. Every material has been assessed for its embodied water and energy content, and the project also aims to eliminate the need for AC, turning to natural cross ventilation. Visit the website for more info, or pop in for a cuppa.

Tags brick walls, industrial, interior design, japanese, Kintsugi, matt woods design, organic tea bar, polished concrete, The Rabbit Hole, timber ceilings

Bathrooms

The tile trends set to dominate 2016

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date December 15, 2015
1 Comment on The tile trends set to dominate 2016

As people step away from conformity, basic monochrome tiles are now being replaced by remarkable structured, textured and three-dimensional alternatives.

As Beaumont Tiles found out when attending the world’s largest tile and bathroom fittings exhibition held recently in Bologna – the Cersaie Fair, 2016 is going to be a big year for tile trends. The top design directions for the next 12 months will include a rustic retro ambience and a softened industrial look, with a particular focus on shaped tiles, as Italian manufacturers push the design boundaries into hexagons and chevron (V-shape) tiles.

Below we wrap up Beaumont Tiles’ top 2016 trends:

Modern vintage

Old classic styles are given a re-focused modern perspective, with a worn rustic look. Look for mixed patterning from past eras and retro styles, such as a glazed brick look, mottled or crackle detail, with timber and bricks.

Natural and industrial

This trend features soft timbers with an industrial look teamed with a hybrid concrete/metallic rust effect. Timber and concrete are synonymous with industrial styles and here we see distressed, weathered, salvaged wood, painted or patterned timber in trending colours and metallic slithers in wood plank format.

Colour trends

Blue is the new dominating hue – from blackened blues to denim blues, with hints of green and undertones of metallic. Also trending is a ’70s inspired colour palette and patterns with soft and muted colours.

Structure

Playing with shadow and light, rather than colour and pattern, three-dimensional visually tactile tiles are trending, with designs that can be applied in a myriad of formations to create a personalised look.

Artistic tile shapes

Traditionally square or rectangles, tile shapes are evolving further into hexagons and chevron designs. This means renovators can still choose a safe colour, such as white in the bathroom, but add depth and flare through shaped backdrops.

Big tiles

It’s an area of experimentation and requires special manufacturing and laying techniques, but tiles are getting bigger and thinner and renovators globally love them. The standard larger tile of 600x600mm is blossoming to a gargantuan slab size of 1000x3000mm. In a new design twist, slab tiles with fibreglass backing are being made to bend around curves.

For more information.

Tags bathroom, bathroom fittings, bathroom tiles, Beaumont, beaumont tiles, Cersaie Fair, colour, industrial, tiles

Furniture Homewares

The new winter 2015 trend: Hamptons Hardware

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 11, 2015
No Comments on The new winter 2015 trend: Hamptons Hardware

There’s something about Beacon Lighting‘s winter 2015 trend, Hamptons Hardware, that I just love. Combining the coastal, textural and soft hues of the Hamptons, with the masculine and monochromatic palette of Hardware, the new season look is perfect for creating a cozy winter retreat.

Create the look at home with dark colours and lustrous finishes like rust, bronze and matt black, paired with oversized lights (like the ones below) to add instant drama and impact.

The Catena Pendant takes inspiration from an industrial style but shows a more contemporary form with the smooth finish of its stunning white shade, paired with a grey globe cage.

W15_MANOR_V2 — Manor Pendant Range. 3 light bar pendant frame, $199. Coolie Shades, $50 each.

The Manor Pendant Range encourages you to express your creativity and create your own industrial style by mixing and matching looks from Beacon’s extensive range of shades, decorative cages and industrial globes.

Matte black is a must have for this look as it makes a real impact against glossy benches and surfaces. The simple and refined Roto Ceiling Fan in black is great for adding drama to neutral colours.

The Harvest Pendant blurs the lines between old and new with its rust finish, chain hardware suspension and intricate wire cage detailing.

Introduce a touch of rustic beach house with the Nuvo Table lamp. Little touches make a big impact and using lamps is a great way to instantly update a room.

Big is definitely better in this look, as seen in the oversized architectural boldness of the Southampton Pendants in antique black.

For more information.

Tags beacon lighting, furniture, hamptons, hamptons hardware, hardware, industrial, lamps, lighting, lights, pendants

Art

Boom Gallery: former wool mill turned thriving creative hub

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date May 6, 2015
No Comments on Boom Gallery: former wool mill turned thriving creative hub

In the former industrial city of Geelong, one-hour southwest of Melbourne, business partners Ren Inei and Kate Jacoby have been tirelessly transforming an old wool mill into an art gallery.

A four-year job, the red brick warehouse is now Boom Gallery, a multidimensional creative mecca that could easily suit the streets of Melbourne’s Brunswick and Sydney’s Redfern.

With polished concrete floors, custom cabinetry and industrial light fittings, the space houses a gallery, retail showroom, cafe, shared studios, education space, function space and later this year, urban garden.

Supporting local artists and designers, Boom Gallery exhibits a diverse range of artists including Jeff Raglus, Ellie Malin, Jiri Tibor Noval and Glen Smith. With local buyers enjoying Boom Gallery’s accessible pricing and relaxed atmosphere; it is akin to city galleries in its quality and passion, but distinctly laid-back — a luxury afforded by the slower pace.

Around the globe, creatives are transforming small towns to critical acclaim, and in Geelong, Boom Gallery is a key player. Watch this space!

For more information.

Tags art, art gallery, boom gallery, geelong, industrial, Kate Jacoby, melbourne, Ren Inei, warehouse, wool mill

Designers Furniture Homewares Interviews

Lumiere Art’s Emma moves into furniture with Industria X

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date March 31, 2015
No Comments on Lumiere Art’s Emma moves into furniture with Industria X

Industria X has long been synonymous with one-of-a-kind, custom-made industrial style furniture. Opened in 1999 by the Buckley family, alongside their secondhand component Max Watt’s Industria, late last year that they realised a change of pace was desperately needed. And happily, this Aussie furniture brand will live on.

The Buckleys decided to sell Industria X, and the perfect couple were waiting on the sidelines: Emma and Mark Cleine. With Emma looking after the day-to-day side of the business (whilst also running successful art and homewares brand Lumiere Art + Co), Mark looks after design and production, and previous owner Quenton remains as their on-hand mentor and welder.

Offering furniture made simply – without decoration and fuss – and with an industrial aesthetic, it’s functional and made to last. And while they are keeping true to the original brand, now at the helm, Emma and Mark have made some changes. “This latest collection used the basic Industria X range but we changed the colours, stains and dimensions,” explains Emma. “We wanted to relaunch using classic Industria X pieces but re-contextualise them. We wanted to give the furniture a contemporary twist. Classic furniture isn’t driven by trends so we aren’t interested in changing our range every three months like much bigger companies do.”

The husband and wife were also keen to switch up the materials, making the finished product more environmentally friendly and withstanding to general wear and tear. “We have swapped strong polyurethane varnishes to more environmentally friendly natural oils and coatings which also can be repaired if the piece is ever damaged. For me, this sits well as I like the option to have an item repaired instead of throwing it out. I also prefer a natural wood finish, allowing the honesty of the material to be the star.”

Able to customise any piece to suit their clients’ dimensions or needs, they manufacture the furniture themselves in their Melbourne studio, something that certainly sets them apart. “We feel a little like we are swimming against the tide; we make in Australia, we are small, we customise to suit a client’s requirements and we make furniture that lasts! All aspects that are rare these days and make us unique.”

With the past years having seen Industria X predominantly work with designers and architects, they are now offering wholesale. “We will have our range available at several stores in the next fortnight (store locations on our website), which is amazing for the brand! We are thrilled to now have our pieces for sale in two states! We plan to build on what we have and organically expand the range in the first few years of business.

“Mark and I would like to eventually have a showroom open in Melbourne and be open for retail weekends and by appointment for trade during the week. Small steps though!”

Photography by Armelle Habib | Styling by Aimee Tarulli

For more information.

Tags design, emma cleine, furniture, Industria X, industrial, industrial furniture, interiors, lumiere art + co, Mark Cleine, Max Watt’s Industria

Expert Tips Furniture

How to create the industrial look in your home

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date February 23, 2015
1 Comment on How to create the industrial look in your home

With industrial lighting predicted to remain big this year, trend forecaster and interior designer for Brilliant Lighting, Bree Leech, gives us her top tips on how to create the industrial look at home.

brilliant lighting interiors addict — Styling: Bree Leech | Photographer: Mike Baker

Create warmth in an industrial-inspired home by knowing the right lighting to choose. Pendant lights that feature glass or metal and shades in simple vintage shapes such as domes or cages are ideal. Alternatively, hang exposed bulbs on simple fabric cords with brass fittings.
Combine the old with the new by selecting industrial-inspired pendants with cutting edge globe technology. Hang mismatched pendants in a cluster.
Use warmer metals for a wholesome feel and add greenery to freshen and balance the industrial edge.
To achieve an industrial look, the complementing decor should feature vintage and rustic finishes, such as exposed or painted brick, polished concrete and recycled timber.
Keep colour schemes soft and neutral using white and green, or go for something dramatic and moody by using darker blues and greys. For a more modern vibe, add elements such as simple contemporary furniture pieces.

For more information on Brilliant Lighting’s industrial-look range.

Tags Bree Leech, brilliant lighting, design, furniture, industrial, industrial furniture, industrial interiors, industrial lighting, interiors, lighting

Bathrooms Kitchens

Caesarstone launches Sleek Concrete design

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 23, 2014

It’s been a good month for exciting new products from Caesarstone. Last week, we shared the new Calacatta marble-inspired quartz surface, and today we bring you Sleek Concrete.

With a warm grey base, it encapsulates the look and feel of fine concrete, but has the durability and ease of maintenance that Caesarstone surfaces are renowned for. There’s also a more on trend concrete matt textured finish, which creates an industrial, aged look and feel. It never requires sealing and will acquire a natural patina over time.

Perfect for both residential and commercial use, Sleek Concrete can be used for kitchen benchtops, splashbacks, wall panels, vanities, café tables and benches and bars. Sleek Concrete is available now and comes with 10-year limited warranty. Find your nearest showroom here.

Tags bathroom, benchtop, caesarstone, caesarstone sleek concrete, concrete, design, featured, industrial, interiors, kitchen, quartz, sleek concrete, splashback, surface, worktop

Interiors Addict

It’s auction time at ici et la

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date August 20, 2013

ici et la, Sydney’s go-to emporium of found objects from France, is holding an on-site auction to make room for new shipments on Sunday 1 September at 12 noon.

Shapiro will be auctioning off items including 19th Century garden furniture, industrial design, bistro mirrors and original decorative pieces. The perfect opportunity for you to pick up your own objet de charme at a great price.

Tags 19th century garden furniture, antiques, auction, featured, found onjects, french, french furniture, ice et la, industrial, vintage

Interiors Addict

One-day sale at one of my favourite stores, quintessential duckeggBLUE, this weekend

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date June 3, 2013

Have you been to Quintessential duckeggBLUE in Sydney’s Balmain? It is WONDERFUL. If you love antique or industrial things for your home, sourced from around the globe, you need to check it out. Especially this Saturday 8 June, because they’re taking 20 percent off everything for one day only. Trust me, you’ll find all kinds of treasures you never knew you ‘needed’. Like, for an example, a French vintage mannequin. Yours for $960, down from $1,200.

Or how about this for your entry hall? English original school hooks with number plates once used by pupils for coats and belongings. Mounted onto original timber pottery drying boards. $636.

Tags antique, blamain, furniture, industrial, quintessential duckeggblue, vintage

Interiors Addict

Industrial lighting from Fat Shack Vintage

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date April 16, 2013
2 Comments on Industrial lighting from Fat Shack Vintage

Lighting can make all the difference to the look and mood of your home. And interesting and affordable lighting can be one of the hardest things to source in Australia. If you like a touch of industrial, look no further than Melbourne business Fat Shack Vintage.

Their vintage style filament bulbs, from $17.50, are best sellers.

If you’re a little more energy conscious but don’t want to compromise on style, they have some options for you too, like the diamond halogen bulb ($45).

Tags energy saving bulb, fat shack vintage, filament bulb, industrial, industrial lighting, light, lightbulb, lighting, vintage homewares

Interiors Addict

A peek inside the world of interior decorator and long-time collector Lynda Gardener

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date December 17, 2012

Lynda Gardener at The White House, Daylesford

Interior decorator and shop owner Lynda Gardener is a hoarder in the best possible sense. Scouring every corner of country Victoria for industrial treasures, she collects them to use in her homes and decorating projects and, if we’re lucky, to sell in her wonderful store Empire Vintage, in Melbourne’s Albert Park.

She admits though, that her longstanding storage unit is packed to the rafters and getting out of control and, following the most recent renovation of the shop, she’ll be bringing more out to sell to lucky customers after Christmas. “I still have finds in there from 20 years ago,” says Lynda. “I have collected for a very long time and over the years have put much of it aside. Next year I am going to start going through my storage unit and bringing those items forward to be showcased at Empire. It’s about time I started to sell them rather than collect and keep everything, so there will be some wonderful items sifting through the store over the coming year or years (I do have a lot of stock)!”

She has owned Empire Vintage for 18 years. The recent renovation saw it go from two floors to one with the staircase removed to give more space. “I decided to use the wasted space above and beyond eye level and asked my favourite builder to build me pigeon holes that would take up two of the walls.” Adding to her desire for an old corner shop feel, there is a ladder to climb up to the highest shelves that can be wheeled around and makes a great feature. The previously pure white walls were painted in moody colours from stylist (and Lynda’s friend) Mr Jason Grant’s range for Murobond, to create a more dramatic look, and custom lighting added.

Tags albert park, empire vintage, gardener and marks, industrial, interior decorator, lynda gardener, mr jason grant, murobond, the white house daylesford

Interviews

The furniture nerd and the publisher: the ladies behind The quintessential Magazine

Post author By Jen Bishop
Post date November 16, 2012
2 Comments on The furniture nerd and the publisher: the ladies behind The quintessential Magazine

Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting the two lovely ladies behind a new and very gorgeous online publication, The quintessential Magazine.

Quintessential_Portrait — Leanne (left) and Tracy

Leanne Carter-Taylor is the woman behind quintessential duckeggBLUE, the shop packed with gorgeous found industrial and antique furniture and objects in Sydney’s Balmain. Tracy Lines is ex creative director of Inside Out magazine and lifestyle publisher at Murdoch Books. When you meet them and feel their wonderful enthusiasm for this project, you quickly realise why the magazine is as impressive as it is. Because it isn’t just another online magazine, or a well disguised catalogue, it is much more that. Its functionality, although web-based, is much more like an app, and feels like one on iPad. And it is full of quality content (written by people like Inside Out founding editor Karen McCartney) and beautiful photos by Dan Himbrechts (styled by John Mangila), unbelieveably, all shot in the store (or the garage). It’s amazing it has all come together since August.

Leanne is a self-confessed furniture nerd and makes no apologies for it. She travels the world four times a year, sourcing the covetable finds her shop is full of. Each piece carries a handwritten label with an astonishing amount of information about its history, story and where she discovered it. She has a photographic memory for the finer details of everything she collects but when it comes to the everyday stuff, not so much! The daughter of a furniture maker, she grew up in England being taught to respect furniture and never to sit on the arms of the lounge. Her love for old, pre-loved things and their unique history is seriously infectious.

Tags antique, balmain, industrial, inside out, karen mccartney, leanne carter-taylor, quintessential duckeggblue, the quintessential magazine, tracy lines