Artist Grotti Lotti (aka Casey Manson), whose unique painting style has an amazing way of capturing the beauty of nature, has launched an exciting collection in partnership with Australian homewares brand, Linen House. They hope the linen will free the mind and re-energise your sleeping space!
The Linen House x Grotti Lotti collection features three incredible pieces of work from Grotti Lotti, available to purchase as quilt cover sets and European pillowcases, as well as feature cushions. My Energy Is My Currency, Just Start Somewhere and Blow It Up, follow Casey’s signature loose and colourful contemporary style. The designs have been selected from Casey’s painted artwork and are digitally printed on a silky soft cotton sateen with a plain dyed reverse.
Casey’s first piece from the Linen House collection was My Energy Is My Currency, a thoughtful, earthy and relaxing piece. “I became completely immersed in this piece – based on some dried protea flowers in the studio I nicked from my mum’s block. The title is based on the notion that energy is interchangeable; it’s not always about the final product but the energy that goes into the piece that gives it life and captivates others. I love the thoughtful, earthy but relaxed nature of this piece. It has its own energy and synchronicity.”
My Energy is my Currency
Bright, loose and fresh, Just Start Somewhere includes her favourite colours and is centred around native blooms. The piece’s deep, earthy greens highlight her feelings of zen when in amongst nature.
Just Start Somewhere
Blow It Up, is an abstract of Casey’s own heart and mind with thick brushstrokes and pops of colour. Created after a small break, Casey put brush to canvas, allowing herself to create without rules or expectations.
Blow It Up
Casey said: “I’m so excited to have worked with Linen House on this bespoke collection. It has long been a dream of mine to create textiles from my work and Linen House have been the perfect team to work alongside to bring this dream to life. I am beyond proud of this collection, from my home studio to your homes, I hope you love them!”.
The collection is available now, exclusive to Linen House and Myer.
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Previously known as Linen & Moore, L&M Home was founded in 2000 and its bedding range has a focus on natural materials rich in texture and character. More of a forever purchase, the linen becomes softer with time and use, as does the soft hand-loomed cotton. And while the range features plenty of trend-based colours, it’s the classic stripes and textured pieces that are perfect for that chic, timeless aesthetic.
We just love Rachel Castle’s fun but sophisticated linen range, mastering mix and match and making bright colour acceptably grown up. You’re probably familiar with her spotty sheets, velvet penny round cushions and limited edition screen printed tea towels, which get snapped up and framed as affordable art. Castle’s all about pops of colour and a bit of whimsy.
On the website you’ll also find beach towels, bags, sweatshirts, Rachel’s original artwork and prints and more. I have countless grey linen doona covers and my castle one is my fave. So much so I have now actually worn it out from years of washing and use!
It’s the linen Jen currently has on her bed (a mix of rosa and mint ticking stripes, if you’re interested, and yes, pink and green should always be seen!). LinenMe only manufacture bed linen from 100% European stonewashed linen which is strong and supple, getting better with each use and wash. They say investing in a top quality European linen product is an investment in longevity. Their range of colours (especially for the stripe lovers!) is huge and as well as sheets. covers and pillowcases, they also sell table linen, throws, cushions, robes and much more!
Launched in 2013, I Love Linen started as just bed linen and has expanded to include table linen, homewares, towels and more. When it comes to your bedroom textiles, you’ll find pure cotton and linen, organic bamboo, cushions, mattress toppers and more. Whether you’re after on-trend crumpled plain linen or crisp, white, hotel style sheets, it’s a great one-stop-shop! We love the mix of plains and patterns and layering extras like valances and pillowcases too – all great quality and at very reasonable prices.
The brand’s ‘3D Bundle Curator’ tool is a great feature of the site – you can build an entire bedroom look from the fitted sheet to the quilt cover and more. The tool gives you a visual which shows exactly how the selection will look on your bed.
Launched in Melbourne in 2012, Kip&Co was founded by sisters Kate Heppell and Hayley Pannekoecke and best buddy Alex McCabe. Their bold designs and trademark giant tassel throws have become cult bestsellers and they do a great limited edition collaboration too! Collection after collection, year after year, we love this brand more and more.
What started as a bright, colourful bedding brand, quickly expanded into a vibrant lifestyle brand, as the girls brought their fun and stylish aesthetic to products for every corner of the home, and every member of the family. Now with a global following, Kip&Co continues to be inspired by the girls’ simple passion for interiors that are full of joy, laughter and the colour of life.
Aura Home is now a very established brand, sold online as well as in the likes of Myer. Founded in 2000 by Tracie Ellis, and inspired by years of global meandering, they design everything in Melbourne, and while we seen many trends come and go, they believe it’s their forward-looking approach that sets them apart. They’ve evolved from muted, earthy tones to extravagant colour, and then to subtle pastels. We think they have just the right amount of pattern and texture these days!
They’ve expanded to sell things such as rugs, ceramics, towels and more, and now have a beautiful concept store in Malvern too. I’m a fan of their ticking stripes and tie-closure Maison quilt covers.
Another great small Aussie linen brand for high quality, classic, muted linen. They believe in products that last, great customer service and only use European flax linen. Founder Nicolle Sullivan believes using beautiful things in our everyday life can make us feel happier. Agreed! They also sell table linen, throws, cushions, robes and more. Shipping is free on every order and the brand offers free returns too.
Just another plain linen brand? Maybe! But In the Sac gets top marks for branding, packaging and colour choices! Great quality, great colours (and lovely stripes) and free shipping worldwide.
Of course, no Australian linen roundup is complete without Sheridan! People will tell you how the sheets they received as a wedding gift are still going strong, decades on! And I find their sheets just feel amazing too! Cotton, silk, linen, plain, patterned, modern, classic, colourful, from 250 to 1200 threadcount and everything in between, they have it all! Founded in 1967, Sheridan is a household name synonymous with quality (you’ll find them in Qantas first class, no less). In recent years they’ve done some great collaborations too. I find it’s a great place to buy bed covers (or coverlets) which can be tricky to find in Australia.
“We’re proud to design prints that unexpectedly and expertly clash with one another,” says Sage x Clare’s designer Phoebe Bell. From Moroccan stars to statement animal prints, hand drawn florals, handmade embroidery and 1970’s inspired colours and textures, this brand is one for the maximalists. Expert at the mix and match, we love how the brand’s sheet sets, quilt covers and cushions create a playful Bohemian vibe in the bedroom.
Not the first place you’d expect to find fabulous bed linen but we like to think of it as a hidden gem. From florals to checks, plain and abstract designs, the line-up is strong but the prices are reasonable. For example, the 100% linen duvet cover below is priced at $200 which is a steal in our books! With waffle blankets, down duvet covers, pillows and more available, it really is a one-stop bedding shop.
Featuring collaborations with contemporary Australian artists, the Greenhouse Interiors bedding range comes in limited edition, highly covetable, prints. The art embellished range is designed to be mixed and matched with all of the pieces available to purchase separately. The range’s 100 per cent cotton art emblazoned bed covers are always a sell-out.
Another clever purveyor of mix and match bed linen, Melbourne’s Sheet Society don’t believe in being forced to buy bed sheets in sets; all of its items are available for individual sale making the brand a great choice for a bespoke look. Specialising in bed sheets that are trend-driven in terms of colours, designs and fabrics, the brand’s core products are made from luxurious long-stable Eden Cotton and French flax Eve linen but there’s boucle, corduroy and waffle options too. Invisible zips, extra wide elastic, a deep pillow fold and a folded top edge are all standard features.
This VIC-based brand do luxury linen “without the la di da” and pride themselves on keeping it real! “We are not your typical linen brand and we don’t get all fancy pants on our customers, we just want to give them the best night’s sleep, night after night,” says founder Nikki Cap. They specialise in only 100% premium pure French linen. “Quite simply, it’s damn good!”
This gorgeous bedding brand has a distinct retro vibe. There’s leopard print, gingham, floral patterns and more, all created in 100 per cent French flax linen. The brand also produces gorgeous napery and cushions as well as a lovely line-up of matching apparel.
Home Beautiful magazine has launched a beautiful range of homewares available exclusively at MyHouse and HOUSE – Bed & Bath. It follows their recent gorgeous collaboration with design expert Neale Whitaker and we love it!
Now you can bring a touch of Home Beautiful’s design and décor know-how to your home with a selection of sumptuously soft bedding, luxurious bath towels and stylish decor pieces, all at an affordable introductory price. And one lucky Interiors Addict reader can even win $1,000 worth of the Home Beautiful goodies to make over their bedroom and bathroom. There’ll probably be enough left over for some sofa cushions and a candle too!
“At Home Beautiful we’ve been celebrating and sharing inspiring interiors for many years. So it was a natural next step to launch our own homewares range,” says editor in chief Elle Lovelock. “The range is everything we love about homewares. It’s simplicity at its finest with designs that are elegantly understated and easy to style to create a beautiful sanctuary at home.”
We agree that the range will be so easy to incorporate into many different homes, lending itself to layering with existing pieces or others from within the range. Struggling to choose the perfect cushion combo for your bed (we know it’s really tricky!)? Why not replicate one of the above images?! It’s not cheating, it’s being stylist-inspired!
The range has pure cotton quilt cover sets in in so many different (but all beautifully subtle and easy to work with) designs, European pillowcases, coverlets (we love swapping our quilt for one of these in the warmer months), sheeting, cushions, throws, towels, candles and more.
Colours include calming hues of mist and petal, soft greys, crisp whites and uplifting blues, complemented by simple and elegant patterns and textures.
What’s more, everything’s at a serious discount of up to 50% off for a limited time so don’t wait too long to grab your favourites!
We’ll take one of everything!
Quilt cover sets & coordinating European pillowcases
These all start at $129.99 for a Queen quilt cover set and coordinating European pillowcases are $34.99 each, while introductory prices apply.
StyleFoundations
Be inspired by your bedroom with soft calming hues that are soulful and easy to style. This soft relaxed cotton is finished with a refined stitched edge.
Adley
With its simple black running stitch embroidery on a crisp white soft cotton, this offers understated elegance.
Calla
Always enduring and timeless white never fails to please! Add seersucker texture and crisp pure cotton and you have bedroom goals! Calla is easy to style, and works as easily relaxed or more structured, making it the perfect choice to create your own bedroom sanctuary.
Sloane
In a nurturing grey palette, the Sloane quilt cover set is enough of a statement all on its own, but also a great platform to a layer on more texture, pattern and colour.
Yumi
Simple and easy with just a little bit of fuss; just the right balance of creating calm and interest. We really love this one!
Yumi is my personal favourite of all the quilt covers
Naya coverlets
Simplicity at its finest, this relaxed washed cotton is soft and luxurious, and just looks so good in this uplifting hue of blue. Perfect for a lightweight layer in summer or an extra layer for added warmth in winter. The introductory price is $199.99 for a Queen/King.
Sheet sets
The high quality 375 thread count cotton sateen sheet sets feel smooth and silky against your skin and drape elegantly with a luxurious sheen. The simple yet stylish stitching detail allows you to layer them with any other bed linen. Introductory prices start at $149.99 for a Queen.
Cushions and throws
Add luxury and texture to your room with the Home Beautiful throws and cushions including the generously-sized Texture Throw in white, charcoal and grey at $89.99. A range of modern cushions are $49.99 each.
Towels
The pure Turkish cotton towels are extremely soft, plush and highly absorbent. The detailed argyle weave and eyelash fringe will add a touch of sophistication to your bathroom without being too much. Washing will only make this unique towel softer and more absorbent. Introductory prices start at $9.99 for a face washer, $17.99 for a hand towel, $23.99 for a bath mat, $29.99 for a bath towel and $47.99 for a bath sheet.
Décor
From beautiful scented candles and diffusers to ceramic vases, lanterns and lamps, the Home Beautifuldécor items start at just $9.99 and will add the perfect finishing touches to any room.
Win a $1000 Home Beautiful prize with MyHouse and HOUSE – Bed & Bath
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With more and more people working from home, the bedroom has become an important place of respite and relaxation. Enter Heatherly Design’s new Chameleon collection, a bespoke range of beds that will turn your bedroom into a cosy self-care sanctuary.
The range taps into current interior design trends including sophisticated curves, neutral colour palettes, coastal themes and abundant texture.
“As a result of the coronavirus pandemic, our relationship with our homes has changed and will continue to evolve into the future,” says Georgia Leckey, founder of Heatherly Design. “This has accelerated a shift in how consumers cultivate their sleeping space and has given rise to ‘restorative bedrooms’ — a sentiment we see intensifying in seasons to come.”
The eggshell boucle and curvy shape of the Bonnie Bed create a calm and cosy cocoon for style-conscious sleepers.
The adaptable Rupert FLIP Bedhead Above and below) can be rotated between two opposing shades. The coastal hues and textured linen are perfect for those wanting a youthful and relaxing atmosphere.
Natural, earthy tones star in the Medina bed, which comes as a full-bed design with matching bolster cushions. The warm palette and crisp linen will create harmony in any bedroom.
Channelling the sophisticated elegance of New York’s Upper East Side, the Astor bedhead has been updated with new colourways and Ikat braid detailing. This tranquil design will transcend time and trends.
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While there’s plenty for maximalists in the new Kip & Co. range ‘Magic Happens,’ the collection is brimming with options for those who favour a more subdued aesthetic. The brand’s autumn collection has a focus on incorporating chunky texture into the home and not just the bold pattern we’ve come to expect from the brand.
Kip & Co.’s signature velvet and linen bedding is back in several fabulous new colour ways
“With tactile fabrics like cotton velvet, French linen, soft cotton, chunky blanket knits, and waffle, the range is a reminder of the importance of touch, and the beauty in slowing things down,” says Kip & Co co-founder Alex McCabe.
This large scale graphic check would look great on a child or adult’s bed
The new collection features pretty new velvet and linen shades (hello nude!) as well as some seriously gorgeous chunky knit throws that look both stylish and snuggly. Other standout pieces (that would look equally at home on the couch or the bed) include the gorgeous harlequin print ‘Iced Vovo’ throw as well as new shades of the brand’s signature tassel throws.
The ‘Honey Rhubarb’ chunky knit throw is a standout piece in the rangeThe new ‘Iced Vovo’ throw, velvet Monstera cushion in shrimp and classic linen in ‘Laurel Green’ are rather delicious too.
“You can include colour and texture – it doesn’t have to be all about the print. Sometimes it’s about adding a textural element without going the full maximalist hog,” says Kip & Co. marketing coordinator Amy Clarke who suggests starting with a plain linen or velvet and building the look from there.
“The collection is an ode to those moments of magic amidst the mayhem – the wonder of a rainbow, the twinkle of the stars, the laughter of your best friend. We shot in an incredibly romantic old hotel, and if the walls could talk, they would’ve whispered stories of a simpler time,” says Alex.
The beautiful kids’ ‘Speckle Candy’ print could almost pass as a neutral and would layer up nicely too.
The new cushion line-up includes striped velvets and a new bolster shape. We love the new large pink check bed linen too.
The latest tableware range features cutlery, table cloths, aprons and napkins in a fabulous array of new prints designed to make staying home a bit more joyful. “In the kitchen, we’re embracing the golden era of dining in. Our beautiful tableware and cutlery collection celebrates the joy of a home cooked meal, with a feeling of festivity and fun,” says Alex.
The ‘Pollen’ linen table cloth and napkin are styled with jewel napkin rings from the range.
Favourite collection prints have been turned into apparel – there’s leggings, tees, sweaters and a series of absolutely stunning cardigans. “We are so excited to intro our new hero – the big knitted cardigan is a must-have wardrobe essential,” says Alex.
What a stunning cardigan!
Maximalists never fear though, you are very much catered for. From whimsical florals and foliage, to a fabulous Greek God inspired print, there’s plenty to feast your eyes on.
One for print lovers, the ‘Greek God’ bedding is pretty divine
Adairs Kids have announced their seventh collaboration with talented multi-disciplinary artist, Fleur Harris. The highly anticipated Adventureland launched last week and is inspired by the joys of playing make-believe.
It features 12 stunning products including a quilt cover set, sheet set and three pillowcase separates for the bedlinen ensemble, complemented by two cushions, wall art, a teepee, sleeping bag, basket and flip-out sofa.
Every collection, Fleur and Adairs Kids have worked hard to bring their dreamy collaborations to life, transforming nursery and bedroom spaces, as well as inspiring the creative minds of young children.
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It was the passing of her father that prompted former magazine journalist Karen Miles to take a break from routine and spontaneously jump on a plane to Paris in 2017. “One of the last things Dad asked me to do the day before he died was to see more of the world and to never give up. Exhausted in my career, I did the thing ‘good girls’ aren’t supposed to do and I quit my job with no job to go to,” says Karen who didn’t know at the time that the seeds were being sewn for her next venture.
French Consul is a stylish range of linen cushions, bags, tea towels and table runners that feature the distinctive and classic antique French ‘grain sack’ stripe.
French Consul tea towels
After time spent among the Dior collections at the Museum of Decorative Arts and the Musee Picasso, Karen’s creative juices were well and truly flowing. And it was at this time that she also came across a homewares trend forecast that predicted a return to hand loomed textiles, nature driven ideas and handcrafted products. This got Karen thinking about any possible French-inspired gaps in the market.
French Consul cushions
“The two thing I had searched for all over Paris and Provence, but couldn’t find, was linen cushions and tablecloths with that classic French stripe. I have a long held French stripe obsession, and in particular, the ‘grain sack’ stripe used by French farmers for centuries to identify their family’s sacks of grain at market,” says Karen. Seeking a stripy cushion for her lounge, and resigned to making one herself, the French Consul brand was born.
French Consul tea towel
“Not being able to source French grain sack products here in Australia, and knowing that so many women worldwide covet the designs, I knew there had to be a gap in the market that I could fill. I launched six months later under the brand name, French Consul, the ‘consulate’ or ambassador of all things French,” says Karen. The range is made from 100 per cent French flax into linen by Irish artisans — a truly European collaboration.
French Consul table runner
“My research led me to some amazing traditional artisans across France and Ireland — both renowned for their linen, and the loveliest sewing team in Ireland and later also Australia,” says Karen of the range that is stocked in boutiques across Australia, the US, New Zealand, Singapore and the UK.
And in a sign that Karen’s father might approve of her new direction, the range is sold in a significant part of England too. “My first store in England, who approached me via Instagram, is not far from where my Dad was born. It’s like he’s woven into the fabric of this brand.”
There’s no doubt that curtains are trending but if you’ve ever explored that world, you’d know how limited and disparate the options are. Essentially you’re looking at high-end, expensive curtains purchased through an interior designer or cheap and nasty, off-the-shelf ones; neither of which are great options for the quality-conscious yet budget savvy consumer. But that’s all set to change with the recent launch of Draperly, a purveyor of luxurious yet affordable custom linen curtains available to purchase online.
Draperly’s curtains are available naturally semi-sheer like this, or with full blockout lining.
“While shopping for my interiors clients, I found that the options for custom curtains were overpriced and underwhelming. The question I kept asking myself was simple – why did custom-made curtains have to be so expensive? I knew there had to be a better way. So, I set about finding it,” says interior designer and Draperly founder Lee Sandler. She travelled across Australia and overseas to meet directly with fabric houses and makers in order to realise her idea.
“I was determined to find a way to provide custom curtains to my clients at much lower prices than was currently on offer, but I didn’t want to sacrifice on quality so I decided to go directly to the sources myself. I knew I could eliminate all of the layers of middlemen who drive the prices up along the way.” Lee ultimately ended up partnering with one of the world’s best and oldest flax linen producers in Belgium and making the curtains in Australia.
The Belgian flax linen is available in five neutral colours to suit any home.
“Belgian flax linen is our core fabric. Our aim is to offer a high-end luxury product at a fraction of the traditional retail price and there isn’t a more luxurious fibre on the planet then linen. As well as being luxurious, linen is ecologically sound, totally biodegradable and recyclable. It is strong and flexible, and unlike many other fabrics, it just gets better with age,” says Lee.
And as for the makers, after looking across the globe, she found a team of talented producers nearby. “They’re right here in Sydney and have been sewing curtains for generations,” says Lee.
Eschewing a traditional bricks and mortar store is another way in which Lee is able to keep costs down and the site’s simple, online-only ordering platform makes ordering curtains fast, easy and accessible. All you need to do is jump online, choose a fabric, style and lining and follow Draperly’s measurement guide. “We even send you swatches for free so you can feel the fabrics before you order and once an order is placed, within just a few weeks, your curtains arrive at your door, ready to hang.”
And with a set of Belgian flax linen curtains starting from just $299, Lee has certainly delivered on the affordability front. “Our curtains are at least 50 percent cheaper than what you would pay an interior designer for a comparable product. Our pricing doesn’t mean that we aren’t as good as our competitors, we are just a whole lot cheaper. We have worked very hard at getting get rid of all of the unnecessary layers of middlemen and we take all the savings and pass them all on to our customers,” says Lee.
And as for the curtain trend, Lee believes it’s an enduring one because nothing adds quite the same interior touch. “In the last few years we have seen a massive resurgence in the popularity of curtains in the home. Curtains add a touch of luxury to a space that just cannot be achieved from the other window treatments on the market and accessible luxury is exactly what our design and budget savvy clients are looking for.”
If customers are unsure of the best course of action for their windows, Draperly are happy to offer free advice too, if they send them a photo of their room.
DISCOUNT FOR OUR READERS
For a limited time, Draperly is offering Interiors Addict readers a 10% discount on purchases, plus free shipping (some rural locations excluded). Just use the discount code friendofinteriorsaddict at checkout.
We’re lucky to have some amazing kids bed linen brands in Australia but while many of them look beautiful, how many can claim to be good for your health and the planet too? Wriggly Toes, started by parents Victor and Alex Cetinic, certainly can, with their ethically made organic linen for little people both Oeko-Tex and GOTS certified.
So what does that really mean and why is it more than just a marketing exercise or ticking a box for a unique selling point? “Organic bedding simply means that the cotton contained in the bedding was farmed with organic farming practices, not so dissimilar to the organic section in the supermarket,” explains Victor. “For any product to claim organic, there needs to be something to back up that claim.”
For textiles, there are a number of different certification standards, including the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex and the Global Organic Textiles Standard (or GOTS) and the pair say understanding these is critical. “Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex covers all textile products including cotton and synthetic fibres, and places restrictions on which chemicals are allowed and to what extent, to ensure safety. Seeing this label means that even chemicals suspected to be harmful are either not present or are at safe levels. Azo dyes are a good example of chemicals currently allowed to be sold in Australia that have have been linked to bladder cancer, but aren’t allowed on products carrying the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex label.” And with kids spending up to 40% of their time in bed, that bed being chemical-free is a pretty big deal.
GOTS is an organic cotton standard which only applies to organic products like cotton. “It really goes a lot further however, by considering the entire supply chain; from which seeds are used to grow cotton, which pesticides or insecticides were used, how the workers were treated (no child labour), the type of irrigation used, how pollution is dealt with, and much more,” Victor says. “Even the product packaging must be consistent with ecological and social standards to be GOTS certified.” So, while the Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex provides comfort about the chemical impact textile products might have on consumers, GOTS additionally takes into consideration the ecological and ethical effects.
But we all know we want kids’ linen to look good, and be fun, too. It can even encourage them to go to (and stay in!) bed, with the brand’s tagline ‘wake up happy’!. When coming up with the look for Wriggly Toes, Vic and Alex worked with their designer, Marta, aiming for fun and quirky without the clichés. “Having seen entirely too much pink, baby blue, and unicorns, we liked the idea of more gender neutral designs.
“Animals surfaced quite a lot in our thinking and giving those animals more character just progressed naturally. Marta really took the inspiration we had and supercharged it with her own creativity. We loved what she created and wanted to give her illustrations a backstory, so we created a bedtime story to accompany each character which we bundle with our products.”
Each story is a magical journey involving the characters (Purdy the Penguin, Jeanette the Cat, Ron the Racoon and Debbie the Dog) from the bedding set, and each set comes with four stories! We just love the idea of doona covers with their very own bedtime stories! Single size sets ($139) come with a doona cover and one pillowcase, and double size ($159) with a doona cover and a pair of pillowcases. Not forgetting the accompanying bedtime story poems!
Victor and Alex’s backgrounds aren’t what you might expect (he’s a software engineer and she’s a pharmacist with an MBA) but it’s their experience as parents which has motivated them the most. Two years ago, they were upgrading their children (now aged four and five) from their cots and, because their youngest had eczema, it made them scrutinise what they were buying that little bit more.
“I would say that was the catalyst and led us on the path to discover Oeko-Tex and ultimately, GOTS,” says Alex. “Once we did our research on GOTS, and thought it resonated with our values, we saw a gap in the market and thought we could try something radical like get into the bedding business! Not to mention our desire to get away from pink unicorns!”
In terms of kids’ room trends, the couple think more neutral and simple designs are growing in popularity, and that’s something we’re certainly seeing at Interiors Addict. “I think it is really important to keep the magic of childhood alive for as long as possible,” Alex says. “Anything that indulges their imagination and creativity is a must, together with creating warm and inviting spaces for them to feel safe. We are not big fans of vibrant colours in the bedroom, but more of a soothing and gentle environment.”
Like what you see ? Enter below for your chance to win a Wriggly Toes linen set of your choice. Entries close 5pm AEST Friday 25 January 2019. Open to Australian residents only.
All entrants will receive a 10% off discount code.
You know what they say about buying well and buying once? That’s why I always prefer, if possible, to buy great quality brands on sale rather than buy a lot of cheaper full price stuff which will show its cheapness and disposability in a few months’ time. So the good news is that Designers Guild, which I’d call a classic investment homewares brand, is currently on sale. ALL OF IT!
If you’d always wanted some bed linen, cushions, towels or other textiles from Tricia Guild’s iconic British (I’m not biased!) brand, there’s currently 25% off across the entire Australian online store. There’s a lot to choose from though, so I’ve tried to make it easier for you with a few of my sale highlights to get you inspired.
I’m crushing hard on the Hand Painted Pink Stripe table linen. I find I always have more dinner parties this chilly time of year and it’s nice to make a special effort. This also comes in less feminine blue and green colourways but you know me and pink! Just look at the perfect light crumple of the organic linen! From $52.50.
If you prefer plain linen, these mint Lario placements and napkins come in nine different colours. From $45 for four.
Speaking of pink and crumped (and my aversion to ironing!), check out this Biella linen in Peony and Camellia. I love how it’s reversible. I’m a plain bed linen kind of girl but that doesn’t mean you have to stick to greys or white. This linen also comes in shades of green, blue, grey, red, purple and of course, white.
I have a cushion from this range and the linen is thick and gorgeous. From $37.50.
Next up, and still in the bedroom, I’m coveting this silk Chenevard silver and slate quilt. A quilt is a great investment as you can use it on its own in the hotter months and as an extra, good-looking layer on the bed in winter. This also comes in other colours and Designer’s Guild have many beautiful quilts to peruse.
Moving onto the Moselle Bath Robe, I personally always find it really hard to find a robe which is neither too skimpy or too big and fluffy. Waffle is the answer, and this one’s the perfect length and comes in loads of colours. I think it would be $176.25 well spent when you consider you’d probably wear it every day. In 100% linen this will add a fun pop of colour to your bathroom too.
Even if you don’t need anything yourself, this is a great time to buy gifts for loved ones at a bargain price!
Ah, you know how we adore everything Heatherly Design Bedheads (featured in my new master bedroom) do, but check out the new Kate Spade textiles range. Divine! the latest in their Art Series is a collab with fabric house Kravet, now representing a range of Kate Spade designs. See more.
We love linen bedding but it can come with a hefty price tag. New entrant to the market Bed Threads, are offering a great pricepoint of just $250 for a queen size bed pack of quilt cover, fitted sheet and two pillowcases. You’ll often pay more than that for the quilt cover alone!
Their sheets are 100% flax linen and they also come in double and king size. For more information.
After years spent in interior design and decorating, working on projects as diverse as five-star resorts and bungalow homes, designer and artist Emma McNamara has created a collection of luxury cushions under the banner Sunday Folk Textiles. Check them out online, for pre-order now.
We’ve long admired the work of artist Rowena Martinich and she’s recently teamed up with husband and fellow artist Geoffrey Carran to sell their limited edition prints online, making their work more accessible and affordable. We’ll have more about the partnership on the blog soon, but for now, see more here.
This classy French pumpkin would definitely be for life, not just for Halloween! The latest release from Staub, the Black Pumpkin, is a beautifully elegant cocotte, perfect for use in the oven, on any cooktop (including induction) and for serving at the table. It’s especially good for slow cooking with great, even heat distribution and retention. An investment piece at $599.95, available nationally from Myer. This is one pot you wouldn’t want to hide away in a cupboard, right?!
Hope you enjoyed this week’s finds, I’ll be back with more next Tuesday! Jen
Deciding how to decorate your little darling’s bedroom is almost as difficult as writing a birth plan and pretending you’ll stick to it. With so many novelty items and lines of licensed merchandise on the market, it’s easy to become a nervous wreck at the mere thought of decking out a nursery or rumpus room.
Well, take a deep breath and start taking notes while you’re at it because Julie Ramsay, founder of linen brand Bedtonic, has shared her top styling tips to create soothing spaces that are sure to whisk your wee ones off to lullaby land.
First of all, don’t follow fashion. Trends are not your friends in this department.
“Choose classic, gender-neutral colour schemes and a few high quality furnishings that will stand the test of time. It will save you money and headaches in the future, trust me,” Julie says.
“As I’m sure you know, today’s obsession with Dora the Explorer is likely to be replaced with Peppa Pig tomorrow – and your closets will soon overflow with all the matching merchandise you spent big on. By all means, buy your children the toys and accessories they love, but make sure they’re not permanent fixtures that are problematic or expensive to update.”
According to Julie, linen is proving popular with parents who want bedding that will feel good against their children’s skin, survive myriad washing machine cycles and co-ordinate perfectly with any colour scheme. “Linen is quite magical in that it keeps kids warm in winter and cool in summer,” she says. “It also envelopes your body, making your littles feel safe and secure. It’s a fabulous fabric to tuck tiny tikes into each night.”
Stacks of European pillows with ruffled pillowslips work well whether they’re propped up on a bed or used as scatter cushions during play dates. Linen’s durability means it will withstand all the wear and tear that any wee beastie can throw at it, making it a sound investment. It’s also stain resistant and quick to line dry, which is a godsend for those who are in the throes of toilet training.
Since linen lasts for years, consider pairing vintage sheets with new purchases to create eclectic looks. Your fitted and top sheets don’t have to match. In fact, beds can look even more inviting when covered in complementary colour combinations.
People who prefer to sleep straight under their doona covers without top sheets can still get plenty of use out of their spare flat sheets. Using them as table cloths, customising them into curtains (with a few strategically placed holes and some curtain rings) or cleverly draping them to create tents and tepees are all wonderful ways to put this versatile fabric to good use.
“Children love using sheets to create secret hideaways within the safety of their own rooms,” Julie says. “Linen also makes a great canvas. If you really want to be a cool parent, let your child personalise their space by giving them a sheet to paint or decorate with stickers, pictures, pompoms, buttons, bunting and bling of their choosing.”
Julie made a conscious effort to let her daughter, Mollie, explore her creative freedom in her own bedroom. “It’s important not to be too precious about your child’s room. Most of the furniture in Mollie’s bedroom has come from secondhand shops and verge pick-ups, but we’ve resurfaced it and let Mollie paint or repurpose it in ways that inspire her,” Julie says. “It was our priority to give our child an imaginative space that was uniquely hers and functional as well as good-looking.”
These days, layering multiple shades of her mum’s linen on the bed is one of Mollie’s favourite decorating techniques. Bedtonic’s children’s collection currently includes winter white and white and navy ticking stripe sheets. This summer, their kids’ collection will extend to reversible duvets with a move into pure linen for babies, including sheet sets, swaddle wraps and bespoke linen blankets with contrasting stitching for a touch of whimsy.
“The blanket looks gorgeous when combined with either of the children’s sheet sets,” Julie says. “It can also double as a picnic blanket, making it perfect for hosting teddy bear picnics and tea parties.”
Darren Palmer was one of the first people I profiled here on Interiors Addict so I have followed his career with great interest (and indeed pride as he has become a friend too). Not content with being a judge on top-rating show The Block, producing stunning interior design for his clients, being an ambassador for brands like Audi and penning two interiors books, he now has his own homewares range with top department store Myer. I was lucky enough to attend the launch last month and am now coveting almost everything for my home (for now, I have the navy linen on my bed and it feels amazing). And there’s a lot of navy here, which pleases me no end! The collection is a true reflection of the man behind it and there’s no surprise he has filled his Bondi home with his own wares (well, wouldn’t you?!).
Darren Palmer says his Myer collaboration is a dream come true
It’s a dream come true for Darren but he still can’t quite believe it’s happened! “A range of product has been part of my plans for several years and I’ve been approached in the past from other partners but I have really sat on my hands and waited for Myer as they were the pinnacle of partnership in my mind. No one has the reach and market that Myer has. They’re a premium, yet achievable brand, and I like to think that is positioning we share,” he says. “It’s one of those pinch yourself moments. I can’t be more grateful than I am right now. It’s the culmination of years of work and development and it’s only the beginning.”
The Darren Palmer collection Tuberose Cotton Sateen Jacquard Queen Size Quilt Cover Set in White $249.95
His first meeting with Myer was in fact years ago. “The timing and the proposition wasn’t quite right. I had to bide my time. So I waited and kept in contact with them, having faith that everything would line up in the right way at the right time. When I joined my management agency, Chic Management, they worked closely with a company that worked with Myer in licensing and they had had several successes with other big brands and well known personalities so I knew I was in good hands. I think we were working together for six months before the Myer relationship started to move ahead again, and when it did, it worked out well and swiftly.”
Just a few of the many gorgeous cushions, from $79.95.
Darren worked with Myer to craft pieces and create a range that reflected both his creative and Myer’s commercial objectives. “It was a real team effort.”
One of my favourites: The Darren Palmer collection Agate sculpture. $79.95
The range has something for everyone with three pillars: luxe, coastal and classic. “All the pieces work well alongside each other but also as capsules within the range. Anyone can buy with certainty that what they take home will work and really add life and layers to their home.”
Ombre metallic glass vase, $49.95
And his favourites? “I love the coral (it’s resin, before you ask). I love the Reed Belgian Flax Linen bedding collection, it’s heaven to sleep in. I love the beaten metal bowls but I really love every piece in the range. The sheets and bedcovers are elegant and timeless, the decorative cushions are highly detailed and embellished. I love it all. It looks fantastic in my house!”
The only challenge was editing the collection and deciding what to keep back for next season.
“The range is really reflective of my style and I have every piece in my house. My bookshelves are transformed for the better and my bed has never looked more amazing,” Darren says.
The Darren Palmer collection `Reed’ Belgian Flax Linen queen size flat sheets in Grey, Navy, White and Tobacco, $199.95 each
“This is the first of many seasons absolutely. I like to think this is the beginning of the next part of my career so I’ll just say watch this space.”
The Darren Palmer collection is available exclusively at Myer stores nationwide and online.
Way back in 2014, when Tony Abbott was PM, Ellen DeGeneres took that epic celeb-filled selfie and Gwyneth Paltrow and Chris Martin ‘consciously uncoupled,’ Interiors Addict had a milestone of its own… we produced one of our most clicked on articles ever: The 10 best places to buy Australian bed linen online.
Now, three years on, we thought it was about time we revamped the list. So here’s our favourites for 2017…
Jardan: You most likely associate Jardan with super stylish Australian furniture, but their bedding offering is of equal wow-factor. Coming in both brushed cotton and 100% linen, the divine stonewashed colours are available in solid and striped iterations.
Jardan
Kesem Boy: A newcomer to the scene, it’s the Sydney label’s fun but subtle patterns that caught our attention… perfect for those neutral lovers who are becoming that little bit daring! Made from 100% cotton sateen, they offer throws and cushions to finish the look.
Kesem Boy
L&M Home: Always reliable, L&M Home (formerly Linen and Moore) have all the latest trends covered for your bedroom, lounge and dining table. We always look forward to their new catalogue! With a design team based in Melbourne, their philosophy is around creating everyday luxury for your home.
L&M Home
Kas: Firstly, the brand is one for colour lovers, their bedding is bold, graphic and vibrant. Secondly, it’s one for the bargain hunters! Hurry, there’s an epic sale currently on.
Kas
Hunting for George: In my opinion a brand that can do no wrong! With bedding made from linen and cotton sateen and stylish accessories – like woollen blankets and throws – you can get your whole bedroom look with a click of the mouse.
Hunting for George
The Pillowslip Store: As the name suggests, these new kids on the block specialise in extra large pillowslips, which look as good on a queen bed as they will on your king. No more too-short pillows (they sell the inners too) and the designs are just fab. They come in plain colours too. We love the gingham but there’s something for everyone and it encourages low-commitment, affordable mixing and matching without changing your entire bed linen!
The Pillowslip Store
R & R Bedding: offers a considered edit of 100% French linen pillowcases and duvet covers of the very best quality and cutting edge design. Designed in Sydney’s Bondi Beach, R & R are bringing back the traditional craft of embroidery in an untraditional way: all linen pillowcases are designed to be embroidered with whatever you please (initials, sayings, your favourite Kanye lyrics), for a good night’s sleep with a side of humour. R & R makes the perfect gift for weddings, engagements, the person who has everything or as a well deserved gift to yourself.
R&R Bedding
The Jersey Company: A little bit different, the bedding is made from soft and stretchy t-shirt material, otherwise referred to as T-SHEET™. Think snuggling up at night in your favourite oversized tee! With no strict sheet sets, it’s all about mixing and matching with a range of beautiful neutrals.
The Jersey Company
Shannon Fricke: Brimming with exotic patterns, colour and a distinct boho vibe, the brand is the brainchild of stylist Shannon Fricke. A personal favourite of mine, the cotton is super soft and most designs feature that little bit something, from tassels to velvet accents.
Shannon Fricke
Goosebumps: It’s no surprise Goosebumps got their start in kids bedding with their adult’s range being playful, colourful and best of all reversible. They also have a sale on, so jump online quick smart!
Goosebumps
Sanctuary Boutique Linens: Collaborating with local and international artists, the family-owned brand brings art and design into your home. With refined yet eclectic patterns, look carefully and you’ll spot skulls paired with roses and toucans matched with tigers!
Sanctuary Boutique Linens
Linen House: With an impressive number of different styles and trends, the family-owned business offers everything from tribal textures to velvets and knits detailed with pom-poms and tassels. It’s a brand that’s sure to bring every bedroom idea to life. And between you and me, the quilt cover below has to be one of my all time favourites!
Linen House
Miss Bettina: A modern take on classic floral bed linen, the boutique label features bold hand-drawn prints on reversible quit covers. Made from 100% cotton sateen, they are perfect for those prone to allergies and best of all they’re on sale!
Miss Bettina
We are still huge fans of all the bedding brands mentioned in our original post, so don’t forget to check them out here.
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know who you’d add!
Born and raised in Melbourne, AURA Home founder Tracie Ellis was always surrounded by creativity. “I was inspired from an early age by my very talented mother and grandmother, growing up in a creative family of women who excelled at knitting, painting and gardening. Those younger years of inspiration led me to study textile design at RMIT, where I majored in knit design,” she says.
After graduating, Tracie worked in the fashion and textile industry for a variety of major brands including Country Road, Myer, Davenport, Coats Patons, Pacific Brands and Linen House – a path that eventually led to her creating her own line. “In 2000, I decided it was time to put my own stamp on a range of homewares and the rest as they say is history – this year we are celebrating 17 years of AURA Home.”
The range now includes not just bed linen, cushions, throws, bath towels and rugs, but ceramics and a tabletop collection. It’s all designed in Melbourne and manufactured across the globe allowing Tracie to indulge her wanderlust. “Our collections are always inspired by my love of travel, my very passionate team, our dedicated suppliers and of course our customers. I travel regularly, whether for business or pleasure – I travel to Europe, Scandinavia and India, where I have been traveling for over 20 years and have been working with the same suppliers, who are not just business partners but friends,” says Tracie.
Tracie Ellis
The brand has an army of loyal followers, who come to it for its quality and classic designs, including the long-running ‘Maison’ bed linen line. “It’s our ongoing range of linen cotton that we have been running for many years now. Each season we introduce beautiful new tones that coordinate back with the rest of our new collection. Our customers love the purity of the fabric and its timeless style,” says Tracie.
AURA Home’s ‘Maison’ linen collection is one of its longest running
As for her other passions, Tracie is big on entertaining and has just moved from Kew to inner-city Fitzroy with her husband and new puppy. “It’s a big change but so far we’re really enjoying the creative energy of the inner city. We spend our weekends at our farm in Kyneton, Victoria in the Macedon Ranges (it’s beautiful and available to rent). That’s where my soul is, I spend my weekends gardening and entertaining friends and family.”
As for a career highlight, Tracie is most proud of winning the Life In Style lifetime achievement award in 2016. “It was our longevity and commitment to the brand that led to it,” says Tracie.
CO:HOME launches its Autumn/Winter 2017 collection early next month with a number of notable product additions. “As the weather cools down, CO:HOME has everything you need to refresh your space and stay cosy indoors. We’re excited to be expanding the range and the introduction of our new lighting, art and gifting categories will really round out the CO:HOME offering, ensuring we have something to suit every style and budget,” says CO:HOME brand manager Vanessa Ross of the collection that starts at a super affordable $9.95.
The new range features canvas wall art
New for the brand, the table light styles are rather lovely with terrazzo featuring in milk, sage and terracotta colour ways. “For instant style credibility, tap into the terazzo trend with the contemporary Theron lamp. It’s a real statement piece featuring a terrazzo concrete base and chic black cord and it will make a striking addition to your side table, nightstand or desk,” says Vanessa.
Theron lamp in terracotta, $39.95
Abstract canvas wall art also features with a variety of natural timber frames too. Plus, the overall colour palette is another highlight – think mustard, olive, plum, faded emerald, powder pink and neutral tones in a variety of prints, textures and glazes. And speaking of wood, we’re particularly taken with the Anki serving set in blush (below) – not only is the colour combination gorgeous but it’s a versatile piece too.
Cotton On Home Anki Serving Set Blush $49.95
The new range also features loungewear that will keep you looking stylish (yet comfortable!) at home – robes, cardigans, slippers, tanks, tops and pants in soft jersey, fleece and knit materials abound.
Cotton On Home Britt Cushion Multi $69.95
Cotton On Home Remy storage large grey marle, $34.95
The bedding range is stylish and diverse with apricot, sky blue and multiple shades of grey featuring. The Elliot quilt cover is a particular fave with its bold abstract design paired with soft pastel colouring.
Famed for her beautiful watercolour print textiles, Scotland’s Fi Douglas graduated from The Glasgow School of Art in 2005 before launching her Bluebellgray brand to much success. A fixture inside the UK department store stalwart John Lewis, the range is now available at Myer, much to the delight of many Aussies. Our Jen, for one, is a massive fan!
Bluebellgray’s ‘Petals’ bed linen
“Bluebellgray is all about colourful, uplifting, design – it’s about doing florals in a modern way and thinking of textiles as artwork. The Australian aesthetic is exactly what I dream of when I’m designing the products, I love that so many Australians embrace colour as I always think that bright and fresh colours work so well in the beautiful light and sunshine,” says Fi, whose paintings run the gamut from traditional watercolour florals to more abstract designs.
Fi Douglas working in her studio
“I always want my designs to have a fun edge to them, they are not too serious, they have a contemporary edge but can work in any era of home. I’d like to think they sit really well with the relaxed Australian lifestyle and the colours will sing in sunny Australian homes.”
Bluebellgray’s gorgeous Glasgow showroom
Fi’s career path started at university before she worked in the interior textiles industry for a couple of years before setting up her own solo venture which is now stocked across the world. “I started the company with just six cushions, not a lot of confidence, a huge amount of energy and determination and a very understanding and supportive husband!” says Fi.
Studio moodboard
She credits her early success to a feature in Elle Decor and also the support of the aforementioned John Lewis. “I was featured by Elle Decor magazine in the very early days which was incredible, it really got my name out there and got me noticed by some amazing stockists. I’m always very grateful to them. John Lewis has also really been instrumental to growing the business – they took me under their wing in the early days as part of their ‘design collective’ and over the years I’ve grown with them to become a fully-fledged brand in my own right with my bedding stocked in all their UK stores along with a host of other products.” The brand also offers a full lifestyle collection including tableware, lampshades, wallpaper and artwork.
The designer’s inspirational journey now sees her employ a team of 12 who all work out of a stunning Scottish studio and showroom. “My studio is two floors of a beautiful old townhouse in the West End of Glasgow with huge, double-aspect windows and high ceilings. It’s flooded with natural light which is so important to me – I’m a real fan of light and space as I swear they help me be more creative.” The vibrant space features a large painting table in the middle. “It’s very colourful — there is always lots to see as we are working on new things all the time,” says Fi.
Titled ‘Carnival,’ Kate & Kate’s winter 2017 collection sees them collaborate with stellar Sydney interior design duo Arent & Pyke, with fabulous, sophisticated results.
Hand-drawn pin stripes feature in the ‘Carnival’ collection
“We read that the Arent & Pyke girls had an interest in textiles and decided to contact them to see if they’d be interested in a collaboration. Never in a million years did we think they’d say yes! From the first meeting, it was on – we all had so many ideas, but were somehow all on the same page. It’s been 18 months in development and the hardest part was editing the collection down. We wanted to run everything!” says Kate Pascoe Squires, one half of the Kate & Kate design duo.
Kate Pascoe Squires, Juliette Arent, Kate Pascoe and Sarah-Jane Pyke
With hand-drawn pinstripes, pom-poms, linen and woven bed linen, the winter collection certainly is a textural treat. “The range captures the joy of gathering together, the convivial delights of a shared table, a picnic under the shade of a gumtree; all with the homely embrace of luxurious yet robust cottons, wools and linens. The collection is a celebration of celebrations, both jovial and nostalgic with classic geometrics complemented by painterly and spirited prints,” says Kate.
We love that mustard and monochrome harlequin print. Gorgeous!
“It was such a thrilling process working with Juliette and Sarah-Jane. Their knowledge is endless and they really know what will work in a room. It was such an inspiring team to work with and we couldn’t be more thrilled with the results,” says Kate who is particularly fond of the brand’s new linen collection.
“The Festive Twist tablecloths are to die for, with a hand drawn pinstripe in both black/white and rose/white. The Pom-Pom artwork is so much fun as it’s totally unique and has a gorgeous sense of nostalgia. The Floss hand woven bed throw is stunning too — the misty rose colour looks incredible with all the woven textures,” says Kate.
Kate & Kate’s alpaca blankets have become a cult item
Fans of the brand’s alpaca blankets will be thrilled to hear there are new designs for winter, in shades of green, grey, snowy white and mist. “The alpaca blankets sold so quickly last winter, so I think they might be a hit again. We’ve also created a baby alpaca blanket this season and it’s beyond lush,” says Kate.
We particularly love the fact that two pairs of female friends who are also business partners, have come together to create something so gorgeous.
“Animals surfaced quite a lot in our thinking and giving those animals more character just progressed naturally. Marta really took the inspiration we had and supercharged it with her own creativity. We loved what she created and wanted to give her illustrations a backstory, so we created a bedtime story to accompany each character which we bundle with our products.”
