Melbourne-based botanical wares studio Ivy Musehas launched Celestial, its latest collection of locally designed botanical wares inspired by the stars.
Showcasing shimmering colours and uplifting shades, Celestial encourages plant-lovers to look to the stars for a fresh perspective whilst offering them new ways to showcase their leafy friends.
“Given the current climate with so many people isolating at home, we wanted to encourage everyone to take a step back and look at the bigger picture,” says Alana Langan, co-founder of Ivy Muse. “We also wanted to inspire people to make the most of greenifying their space and really connect with nature at home – and have a little fun while doing it.”
The collection features 10 Melbourne-made botanical wares including plant stakes, pots, ceramics and plant stands including the Gemini plant stake and four brand new limited edition colours; Champagne, Cinnamon, Halcyon and Sherbet.
The popular Chubby planters and matching plant stands are now available in two brand new limited edition colours; Sherbet and Halcyon.
The Lily planter and T-Bar Hanger have also been reimagined in limited edition Cinnamon, whilst the Hourglass Plant Pedestal is now available in limited edition Champagne.
Rounding out the collection are the popular powder-coated steel plant stakes Dot, Loop and Peacock. Perfect for taming wild plants like monstera deliciosa and philodendrons, they are now available in two new limited edition colours, Sherbet and Halcyon.
New Ivy Muse botanical wares range inspired by the 70’s
Further cementing their prominent position within the Australian indoor plant scene, the latest outing from Ivy Muse ‘Playback’ features eight fabulous new pieces including plant hangers, plant sconces, ceramics, stands…
Further cementing their prominent position within the Australian indoor plant scene, the latest outing from Ivy Muse ‘Playback’ features eight fabulous new pieces including plant hangers, plant sconces, ceramics, stands and accessories. And with limited-edition rust and blue hues an integral part, there’s no denying the solid 1970’s vibe underpinning the collection.
“Our use of French blue and clay as the core ‘limited edition’ colours in this collection reflect the bold colour palettes that were popular in the 70’s. As a pair, they sit so well together to pack a colour punch but also seamlessly work into a more neutral colour scheme when used singularly,” says one half of the Ivy Muse duo Alana Langan.
Chubby pot and Chubby stand, from $230
Having both recently moved into homes built in the 1960’s and 1970’s both Alana and her business partner Jacqui Vidal concede that it shows in the range. “We were enveloped in the era and felt that flow through into our designs for the collection. With a nod to the plant-filled decadence of the 70’s, ‘Playback’ is really about maximising greenery in your space. With a focus on form and vibrant colour this collection offers plant lovers new ways to showcase their gang and reap the benefits of a life filled with plants,” says Jacqui.
‘Stud’ plant sconce, $180
Two of my favourite pieces, the brand has produced its popular ‘Loop’ and ‘Dot’ plant stake designs in the two new colour ways also. “Our plant stake can be used to tame wild climbing and trailing plants like devil’s ivy, heartleaf philodendron and hoya. It’s been a very popular piece and for good reason as people are always telling us they can’t find any well-designed plant stakes that do the job!” says Jacqui. The stand-alone stakes work with any pot and simply sit deep in the soil to secure the plant.
‘Loop’ plant stake in clay, $39
‘Dot’ plant stake in French blue, $59
Customer feedback played a big role in the collection and resulted in many tweaks and even the new ‘Stevie’ wall hook design. “As a business, we have always been open to listening to our customers and their needs and we put some of their feedback into action. The ‘Stevie’ wall hook for instance was designed for people who love the idea of hanging plants, but not the idea of drilling into their ceiling. It’s really rewarding to be able to collaborate with our audience in that way,” says Alana.
The ‘Stevie’ wall hook, from $95
The brand has also teamed up with Robert Gordon Pottery again, on a new range of hand-made pots to complement the range. “They are slip-cast from stoneware and terracotta and each pot has been combined with unique glazes and is available in one size,” says Alana.
‘Joni’ pot, $105, is part of the brand’s collaboration with Robert Gordon
After launching in 2014 with just four plant stands, Ivy Muse has grown into a complete plant brand with a Melbourne retail store, plant styling service and a book. “What started as an idea to ‘encourage creativity with greenery’ in 2014 has grown into an all-encompassing commitment to enhancing wellbeing through the use of plants. Jacqui and I are passionate about wellness and the many life-enhancing benefits plants can bring people including decreased stress levels, increased creativity and increased air purity. And with our growing plant styling service, we see more and more people opening up to the idea of having plants in their home and it really is becoming the new norm. Hurrah!”
Photography: Annette O’Brien | Styling: Alana Langan
Indoor plants have been having a moment for quite some time and the obsession doesn’t look to be slowing down. Gone are the days of daggy terracotta pots from your local hardware store, now pots and stands are as beautiful at the plants they home.
Status Quo collection
Proof of this comes in the latest collection of botanical wares from Melbourne-based studio IVY MUSE. Their seventh collection, Status Quo, features locally designed and made products in simple forms and an earthy colour palette.
Stem
A first for the label, the collection sees the release of Stem, a 3D printed vase. Made from clear glass and featuring a 3D printed ceramic top produced in collaboration with Alterfact Studio in Brunswick, Stem is ideal for propagating plants such as Devil’s Ivy, Monstera and is even suitable for flowers.
Braided Hanger
Status Quo also includes a handwoven leather and ceramic plant hanger named Braided Hanger, the result of a collaboration with Melbourne-based leather craftswoman Kym Lightfoot. Braided Hanger is available with three handmade ceramic pot colours, Emerald, Ivory and Cloud and two length drops.
IVY MUSE commissioned renowned Victorian potter Robert Gordon to produce the exclusive range of handmade pots to complement the Status Quo range. Slip-cast from ceramic, each pot has been combined with unique glazes and is available in one size.
Elevate Arc
Elevate
But that’s not all! Status Quo introduces four brand new plant stands, signalling a move into two new mediums: tubular steel and concrete. The Elevate series is made from powder-coated steel, each is available in Matt Black and Matt White and in four sizes: Small, Medium, Large and Elevate Arc. Each Elevate stand arrives with the choice of two concrete tabletops in Coal or Nude colourways, made in collaboration with Nood Co (ex Blockheads Matt and Kim).
We all know house plants are in fashion right now, but unlike other decor, some work and skills are involved in keeping these green beauties alive and thriving! We asked Alana Langan, one half of super stylish Melbourne plant pot and holder brand IVY MUSE, to share her advice.
Throughout our time spent caring for plants we’ve learnt there’s one major key to keeping them thriving; paying attention to them. Check in on your plants every couple of days and keep abreast of what’s happening with them; are there signs of new growth, distress, soil dryness etc? We’ve found that this valuable check-in time means you can identify any potential issues and act quickly before they damage your plant beyond repair.
What’s trendy?
In vogue right now is the Monstera Obliqua (otherwise known as the Swiss Cheese Vine). It’s a beautiful, bizarre-leafed plant that really comes into its own when it can cascade off a fireplace mantle or shelf. We often get asked what’s in vogue as thethe Fiddle Leaf Fig definitely had its five minutes of fame a few years back. In saying that though, we’re still very much a fan of this beautiful tree; it’s eye-catching and is a fast-growing, rewarding plant that cuts a striking pose. As an alternative, you could try an Umbrella Tree (Schefflera Amate) which is a little easier to care for but still has a big, bold appearance. It’s one of our current favourites!
How to match your plant with a pot/stand
Plant stands really do what their name suggests; they give your plant height, but their magic really lies in their ability to transform the humble plant into a statement decorative piece for the home. Plant stands suit a variety of spaces. Their use is mostly guided by the plants they support and how you’d like to use them. If you need to brighten a small, dull corner, a plant stand with a hardy plant like a Sansevieria or Cast Iron Plant will do the trick well. Or for more of a feature in a larger, brighter spot, team your shorter stand with a large lightweight pot and a Spath Sensation for a maximum effect.
Where to source plants
Your local nursery or plant shop are is a great starting point to source your plants. If you’re in Melbourne, we sell plants as well as pots and stands at our IVY MUSEBotanical Emporium! More and more we’re seeing hardware stores, big retailers and supermarkets carrying plants but be careful, they’re not always the best quality.
Think outside the box
Bathrooms are an often overlooked place in the house when it comes to displaying plants. If you’re keen on creating a jungle-like vibe, think outside the box. Bathrooms tend to be small with less space on the floor so don’t forget to consider utilising the vertical space above with hanging planters and/or creeping vines. Plant hangers can be effective used singularly, or if space allows, in a pair or trio with long cascading plants for full effect.
The holistic benefits of plants at home
Apart from the obvious fact that greenery is beautiful and can improve the look and feel of a home on so many levels, studies have shown plants can offer us many benefits including cleaner air and decreased stress levels, plus they can also help boost our creativity and memory retention. Not only beneficial on an aesthetic level, caring for plants can be a rewarding and long-standing endeavour that enriches our life. As well as offering time for solitude and quiet contemplation away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, keeping plants can be a fun, shared experience. We often spend time tending to our indoor garden with our young children and love to see their excitement at watering the plants or witnessing the unfurling of a new leaf.
It’s not often that we come across an original retail concept here at Interiors Addict, but this week is an exception. The creation of the celebrated plant ware brand IVY MUSE, Melbourne is now home to the IVY MUSE Botanical Emporium – a beautiful retail space on Armadale’s High St that is brimming with pots, plants and a gorgeous curation of botanical-inspired homewares and art.
Brands such as Bonnie & Neil, Studio Twocan, Sophie Jane Moran, Uashmama, Zakkia and Armadillo and Co sit alongside a lush selection of plants in the gorgeous, light-filled 65 square metre space that includes a four-metre high, 24 carat gold-plated feature display wall too.
The space also features custom joinery, created by Aarden Design and Yard Furniture and its buttery oak flooring is by Godfrey Hirst. Local Melbourne glass artist Amanda Dziedzic created the store’s hand-blown lighting and a handcrafted installation by paper artist Amanda May Lee adorns the space too.
The inspiring botanical emporium will also make full use of its gallery feel with regular art exhibitions, showcaseing botanical-inspired works. Each artist will exhibit for a period of six weeks and artist Robert Bowers has been selected to kick off proceedings – his works are on display now.
In case you’re unfamiliar with the brand, IVY MUSE design a covetable range of functional plant stands and botanical wares that are hand made in Melbourne. The creation of long-time friends Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan, the label was launched after its founders struggled to find high quality plant stands without compromising on design or quality.
To coincide with the store opening, IVY MUSE has released a new range of 1970’s inspired wares titled ‘Boheme’ that includes three new plant stands and the ‘Planter Petite’ – a delicate handmade ceramic pot with matching drip tray for smaller species.
The new ‘Boheme’ range
Photography: Annette O’Brien | Styling: Alana Langan of Hunt & Bow
Indoor plants are such a fabulous trend and simple pots and hangers will let the greenery speak for itself. We’re loving how Ivy Muse’s latest collection, Homebody, does this.
Check out their handmade ceramic pots and tabletops. The shapes are simple and colour palette subtle (think blacks, whites, nudes and lovely glacier and pewter shades). They’re produced locally from Melbourne – it’s fantastic being able to support homegrown businesses while still getting something stunning!
Co-founder Jacqui Vidal was inspired by how people and plants interact. She’s eager to see more of this natural relationship in the home. “We wanted to encourage people to make the most of greenifying the space they have at home, whether big or small.”
Ivy Muse don’t just want to make it possible to keep plants inside though. It’s about helping you do so in the most beautiful way possible. Co-founder Alana Langan says the Homebody collection showcases plants, making them features of rooms.
If you’re after something classic, choose black or white. For something braver, consider the limited edition colours. The Willow is available in glacier, while those who are fans of nude shades will love the Cubby. The Foundation comes in pewter, one of the most on-trend colours this season.
Another exciting part of this collection is Ivy Muse’s collaboration with Wootten. The leather craftsman has made supple leather cords for the Saturn hanger. It’s such an organic natural vibe when combined with the plants. You can make the style personal by choosing your own pot for inside.
The three stands work with a variety of pot sizes and can be turned different ways to suit various spaces.
The Saturn hanger will set you back $130, while the stands start at $170. For more information check out their site here
Styling: Alana Langan, photography: Annette O’Brien
IVYMUSE have launched Calypso, their third collection of limited edition plant stands and botanical wares, featuring seven brand new Melbourne-designed and made products. With the trend for houseplants definitely still on the rise, we think these are fantastic! And the range has now evolved far beyond the plant stand, allowing you to make a real statement with your greenery at home.
There are four brand new plant stands, each available in black and white as well as a limited edition colour unique to that design: Harlequin (Sage), Daisy (Summer Yellow), Button (Sky Blue) and Chameleon (copper plated). The Chameleon is also available in small and medium.
This collection also sees the release of handmade ceramic table tops enabling you to turn any IVYMUSE short plant stand into a side table or plant platform (or both!). Clever!
Also new to the lineup is the plant shelf (my favourite). Made from Victorian Ash and powdercoated steel, it offers flexible options for use as it can be easily flipped so the pot plant sits to the right or left. It comes with a handmade porcelain pot and features grooves for displaying art. That’s great design for you: good looking and useful.
To further celebrate their third collection, IVYMUSE have collaborated with Sydney-based Design Twins on a hand-painted lightweight concrete pot. The Harlequin is available in grey and green and available exclusively through IVY MUSE and Design Twins.
IVYMUSE also commissioned Victorian ceramicist Ana Maria Jensen to produce an exclusive range of handmade limited edition pots to complement the Calypso range. Wheel-thrown from iron-bearing stoneware, each pot has been combined with unique glazes to allow the clay to gently reveal its natural character. Available in Summer Yellow, Matt Black and Pearl Green.
The brand is the brainchild of longtime friends Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan. Jacqui, founder of art retailer Signed & Numbered, together with Alana, an interior stylist and owner of online boutique Hunt & Bow, launched the business with a mission to produce beautiful, functional stands that allow people to get creative with their greenery.
Designed by Jacqui and Alana, the stands are made from steel for durability and strength then powdercoated or copper-plated to add beautiful colour and a perfect finish. They are made from start to finish in Melbourne.
IVYMUSE botanical wares can be purchased directly via www.ivymuse.com.au or from over 30 stockists across Australia.
For many, it will come as a surprise to hear that Design Twins has only been around for a year. So well-known is its name, and so synonymous is the brand with gorgeous, affordable, concrete homewares, you’d easily be mistaken in thinking couple Crystal Bailey and Mitchel Lindsay, were veterans in the industry.
Crystal and Mitchel
However, while the business may be young, it’s anything but small, with Design Twins about to start its most challenging and exciting chapter yet: a Sydney homewares store! “Since we started Design Twins we’ve just been continuously inspired by the homewares industry and all the designers we’ve met while working on our business,” explains Crystal. “Subsequently, as Design Twins continues to expand, we wanted to create a space where we could make our signature pieces while celebrating the best of Australian designers and local artists. A homewares store, featuring our in-house studio, was just the perfect combination for this next step in our journey.”
Opening tomorrow, the store, located in St Peters’ Precinct 75, will feature Design Twins’ exclusive handmade homewares, alongside some unique designers and limited edition pieces. Expect a store where you will not only be able to shop a beautifully curated selection, but where you can actually see Design Twins products being made. Also on offer is a kids’ corner, so parents can shop while kids play and every three months an art exhibition featuring local talent will take place.
With the aim to present Australian brands and designers in a fresh, unique and interactive way, Crystal and Mitchel are determined to create a homewares store unlike all others. “In many cases, homewares stores just have shelves and items casually displayed, leading people to be unsure of how to style them within their homes or spaces. We’ve set up our store as if it’s an actual living space, providing people with an atmosphere that inspires them to be creative with the pieces they purchase! Plus, since we will be creating our own products in the back section of the store, it will allow us to meet and greet our shoppers on an entirely new level. It’s not just about shopping, but about an experience that excites people about homewares, art and creativity.”
Opening a homewares store, you would think Crystal and Mitchel would have their hands full. Yet somehow, they’ve still managed to design many more products and even have a baby! “In the new store, we will be creating unique pots, where shoppers can literally come in, speak about a pot design with us, grab some lunch, come back and pick their one-of-a-kind lightweight pot up! We’ve also just recently collaborated on a special edition candle with Candlelit & Co and stay tuned for an upcoming collaboration with Ivy Muse. Oh, and we had a little baby boy, London! We are now the proud parents of two lovely little ones!”
Design Twins Store opens tomorrow (Saturday) at 10am.
Warehouse 7.02 | 75 Mary St | St Peters | NSW 2044 | Shop online.
After spending his formative years working in commercial construction with his father and older brother, Peter McManus began to feel restless. Booking a one way ticket to Bangkok, he set off on a life changing adventure, determined to foster new ideas and form a fresh foundation from which to reinvent himself.
Peter
He returned, eventually, with a desire to earn his living as a musician! However, after giving it a decent shot, it became obvious that it wasn’t for him (though he does tell me he still sings in a band called Stax on soul Revue!). So Peter decided to back off the music and refocus on his other passion, working with wood… and thank goodness he did!
Beginning Yard Furniture, formally known as Reclaimed Timber Furniture, four years ago, it began in a small workshop in his backyard; where he’d make pieces for friends, family and of course his own home. Today, however, is a much different story, with Peter’s new Melbourne location consisting of a showroom, workshop and storage space.
Creating high-end quality furniture, he is committed to breathing new life into ex-structural, recycled timbers; often working with raw sawn beams demolished from some of Victoria’s most iconic sites, such as Abbotsford Honda factory, Alphington Paper Mill and recently the Del Monti Suits Factory, Preston.
[contextly_sidebar id=”kdmYlp2kmE6ZURxCqZ3QUlalzldeWeGo”]So to say Peter is a fan of timber, well that’s the understatement of the century! ” What do I love about timber? How much time do you have?! I love timber because it gives me so much variety in texture, tone and density. Every piece is different and it’s also therapeutic in the same way being in nature is. I source the timber from various places: scrap yards, salvage yards, demolition sites or demolition companies. I try to acquire large quantities as it allows me to get familiar with a batch of timber, thus being able to replicate a piece that we display.”
Creating all types of high-end interior furniture, from tables to bed suites to entertainment units, Yard Furniture create a staple collection, as well as custom pieces. “We do get commissioned to make one offs, which are usually a design collaboration with the client, or some clients will bring their own design to us. That said, I always like to put my own little twist on anything I make!”
Yet putting his own spin on things is not exclusive to furniture, with Peter having recently transformed a run down factory on the fringe of Preston’s industrial precinct, into a beautiful, spacious 220 square metre showroom. “Our showroom has been a massive operation, one of the biggest projects I’ve undertaken. It was all closed in with a large steel mezzanine, so we demolished the mezzanine then punched a big opening in the front wall making a very attractive shop front and spacious showroom.”
Now in the process of filling the showroom with stock, Yard Furniture is stocking not just their own furniture, but homewares from local designers and artisans. “Our policy on the homewares that we stock is that our suppliers are local or nationally based. We are currently stocking ceramic’s from Lheme & Celeste, wire pot stands from Ivy Muse, soy candles from Darling Mockingbird, stock chairs from Feelgood Designs and linen from Aura. We are also offering our showroom space to be a gallery for artists to exhibit their creations.”
Melbourne-based botanical wares studio IVY MUSE today launched Nightshade, their second collection of limited edition plant stands, and here’s a first look at them. To celebrate the follow-up to their inaugural collection in October, they commissioned renowned local ceramicist Ingrid Tufts to produce an exclusive range of pots to complement them.
Nightshade draws its inspiration from the simplicity of a winter sunset, with a pared back aesthetic and focus on intense colour. Each design is available in black and white, plus a limited edition colour unique to that design; Navy (Quay), Electric Blue (Arrow), Blush Clay (Empire) and Frost (Chrysalis).
Nightshade includes two smaller stands (Chrysalis and Quay) for pots to sit on (and in the Chrysalis) as well as two taller stands (Empire and Arrow). As with the previous collection, each IVY MUSE stand was designed to allow the customer maximum flexibility and creativity in the many ways they can house plants, and are suitable for a variety of pot sizes and shapes.
Tufts’ handmade limited edition pots are wheel-thrown from beautiful iron-bearing stoneware, then combined with soft pastel glazes to allow the clay to gently reveal its natural character. The pots are available in one size with three colour options (Marshmallow, Peach and Ice Blue).
IVY MUSE is the brainchild of longtime friends Jacqui Vidal and Alana Langan. Jacqui, founder of art retailer Signed & Numbered, together with Alana, interior stylist and owner of online boutique Hunt & Bow, launched the business with a mission to produce beautiful, functional stands that encourage people to get creative with their greenery.
Designed by Jacqui and Alana, the stands are made from steel — for durability and strength — then powder-coated to add beautiful colour and a perfect finish. They are made from start to finish in Melbourne.
The stands retail for $170 and can be purchased online or from over 20 stockists across Australia. The pots are also available online. International shipping also available.
While indoor plants used to be seen as a bit uncool, they’re now anything but and the trend for them seems to keep on growing. In response to this, some seriously great pots and planters are springing up on the Australian market, not least these lightweight beauties by Design Twins, launched this week. The good news is, Interiors Addict readers can get $30 off for the next 24 hours!
One of half of the duo, Crystal Bailey, said they’ve been heavily inspired by Scandinavian and industrial design, which is very similar to their popular concrete homewares.
The Design Twins’ initial concrete homewares have been flying off the shelves
“Our favourites are our Dot and Cross pots, because they suit any space of any home and will guarantee life to any room, once a beautiful plant is added. They also have uses for storing toys in children’s rooms, in the pool area for holding towels, or for storing linen in the bedroom.”
The pots are hand painted in Sydney and made from fibre clay, designed for indoor and covered outdoor areas. You should allow four weeks for delivery.
Available in 28 styles and three different sizes, there is sure to be one to suit any interior. The hardest part will be choosing which.
Get $3o off any order of the new lightweight pots for 24 hours only, until 4pm AEDT tomorrow (Thursday 5 February 2015) using the promo code INTERIORS30 at checkout.
How cute are these pot plant stands designed by new botanical wares studio, Ivy Muse?!
Coming in four geometric-inspired designs, the GEOSCAPES collection offers plant lovers and design enthusiasts alike, the maximum creativity to showcase their greenery in and around the home.
Featuring two smaller stands (the Butterfly and the Hourglass) for pots to sit on and two larger stands (the Classic and the Feline) for pots to sit inside of, each stand is suitable for a variety of pot sizes and shapes. Each design in the inaugural collection is available in matt black and matt white, plus a limited edition colour unique to that design: teal (for Butterfly), soft blue (for Feline), burnt copper (for Hourglass) and champagne (for Classic).
The stands are made from steel — for durability and strength — then powder-coated to add intense colour and a perfect finish. They are suitable for interior and exterior use and retail for between $130 and 140.
