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Furniture Homewares

Jen’s home office shopping spree at Supa Centa Moore Park

Sponsored by Supa Centa Moore Park

We live on the other side of Sydney from Moore Park so I’ll admit it had been a while since I’d visited the Supa Centa but, being abreast of all things interiors, I knew plenty of great new stores had opened there. So when they invited me to come shopping for home office supplies, I didn’t need asking twice. When you work from home like I do, the home office is really important! It’s also great when you get to choose the look and feel of this space and can avoid all things corporate (while still being mindful that sitting at the wrong furniture all day –however good-looking– can leave your back suffering!). Yup, I’m officially old!

The centre has a really nice, spacious layout and everything is well signposted, which always gets me off to a good start. There’s plenty of parking too, and places to buy coffee! I knew we (myself, husband Damian and toddler Sebastian) could safely be here for hours, and when I discovered a children’s play area, well, we couldn’t ask for more!

Top of my shopping list was a new desk. I already have an antique secretaire, which I’m keeping too, but I wanted something bigger, and better ergonomically. I browsed some nice options at BoConcept (they have one that attaches to the wall and pulls down, so great for small spaces), Shack and Icon By Design (all solid timber) before settling on the simple shape and beautiful beech of the Altar desk at Contents International Design. I am a long time fan of this shop, which stocks some of my favourite furniture and homewares brands. The visual merchandising in here is a real standout, so when I saw ‘my’ desk styled up in a gorgeous looking study nook, it definitely helped seal the deal! I just had to get out the door without buying one of everything! At $1,045 for a large desk in gorgeous solid timber with a drawer, it won over something similar I’d seen for $1,500 in another store.

My desk in store at Contents International Design

It’s worth mentioning that all the shops at the Supa Centa are really spacious which not only makes it feel lovely and open, but means getting around them with a pram, as I did, is no issue!

Onto the desk chair: a tricky purchase if ever there was one! As I was saying before, ergonomics are important if you spend a lot of time in your home office, but so many desk chairs are downright ugly and bulky. You’ll not find any black pleather in my house! As soon as I saw the Phoenix chair at Freedom though, I knew it was going to work well. It’s upholstered for a start, in a very inoffensive grey fabric which will go with everything. It’s slightly padded for comfort and, most importantly, it’s on wheels, height-adjustable and it swivels, so my back will be happy! As a bonus, it doesn’t have arms, so you can tuck it away under the desk. All this for $199, which I think is a real steal.

My desk set up at home with the chair and ottoman from Freedom
The beech timber is beautiful. Also pictured: boxes from Orson & Blake

While in Freedom, I couldn’t resist the glam new Palm Springs Ottoman so I quickly got to work thinking how I could justify this piece as a home office essential (come on, we’ve all done it!). I came up with the following: somewhere to put my feet up while reading documents (I know, I know!) and a spare seat for the rare occasions I’ll let my husband share the desk when he works from home. Purchase made!

Clearly a desk is not a purely functional piece and when you’re an interiors addict, there is always a styling or decorative opportunity to be had! I knew Orson & Blake was the perfect place to source some stunning trinkets and was not disappointed. These beautiful lidded boxes are perfect for keeping pens, paperclips and USB sticks, and the gold star is a paperweight. Obviously! The charming shop assistant, who had no idea who I was or that I was writing about the experience, was delightful and even gave me a discount!

Some of the accessories from Orson & Blake on my desk at home. How good is the star ‘paperweight’?!

In fact, I genuinely received great customer service everywhere at the Supa Centa, which was really refreshing and welcome, especially on a Saturday, when everyone can be super busy and a little frazzled.

Shopping at Supa Centa Moore Park

Some of my other favourite stores were Max Sparrow, King Living and Boori. Whatever your budget and whether you’re looking for furniture, homewares, manchester, flooring, window furnishings or outdoor furnishings, you can find it all under one roof at Supa Centa Moore Park!

I hope you like my new home office setup!

For more information on Supa Centa Moore Park.

What I bought:

Altar desk from Contents ID

Phoenix Office Chair in Light Grey and Palm Springs Ottoman in Indigo from Freedom

Various accessories from Orson & Blake

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Interiors Addict

Real Living, March 2013

I think Real Living nail their covers, and March issue is no exception. I was so excited to tear the plastic off my subscription copy I gave myself a paper cut. Literally. And then fell head over heels in love with the reversible polka dot and floral quilt on the cover. So it should have come as no surprise that the brand of the quilt is… wait for it… Real Living, whose three new bed linen designs are now available at Target. Yes please!

Real Living March 2013 cover

Highlights

  1. The ‘Bring on Prints’ spread was five pages of sumptuous colour. I would love to be brave enough to make a splash like this in my home, but I think I’ll play it safe and just incorporate some of the elements. I particularly liked the mixing of Anna Spiro’s Higgledy Piggledy Stripe wallpaper in Ginger Jar Blue, with Armadillo & Co’s Designer Collection Casablanca custom wool rug in Caribbean/White (editor Jen recently fell in love with Armadillo’s new bright colour options at last week’s Decoration + Design).

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Interiors Addict

Bold colour and pattern in new Orson & Blake OB Collection range

The latest items in Orson & Blake’s OB Collection (their showcase wholesale range) will certainly make a statement. Now in its 20th year, the Sydney store is working on getting its entire range available online, including big ticket items like sofas, so people Australia wide can enjoy them.

Edit and Cosi Casa are now brands within the Orson & Blake  store and they’re continuing to add more diverse and eclectic furniture and homewares ranges.

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Interiors Addict

SALE ALERT: Orson & Blake

Sofas, dining tables, armchairs, ottomans, side tables and more in this massive furniture clearance in store. Starts this Saturday.

Orson & Blake | 483 Riley Street, Surry Hills | NSW

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Interiors Addict

Massive sale as EDIT moves into Orson & Blake. Starts Valentine’s Day!

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Interviews

Orson & Blake’s David Heimann says don’t take your home too seriously

 

Orson & Blake’s David Heimann knows a thing or two about beautiful pieces and creating gorgeous interiors but he says you should never take it all too seriously.

“People should be encouraged to feel confident about their homes. The best interiors are always fascinating due to the very personalised objects and collections,” he says. “Individuality is key to a welcoming comfortable space. Sometimes people need a little help in pulling it all together, grouping things, editing or often introducing one large strong element to ground a room or home.”

He’s not a fan of decorating a whole home to a specific theme either. “Somehow people can be a little too serious about it all. It feels right to mix it up a little, keep it slightly playful sometimes and bring soul to a space. Cookie cutter rooms feel like shopping centre spaces. Self expression pays off in spades, whether it’s using a favorite colour boldly or introducing fascinating art. Why not hang a precious painting in the loo? Place a giant tree in the bedroom or hang a chandelier in the garden!”

David’s own home is near Centennial Park in Bondi. “It feels a lot like a bowerbird’s nest, full of art, books and stuff that intrigues me. I have a mix of vintage, contemporary and ethic furniture.” He likes black interiors and beds loaded with textiles collected on travels. “I feel comfortable surrounded by interesting shapes in monochromatic tones. That’s for now anyhow. Things can change. Next month I may need intense colour somewhere.”

While Orson & Blake has long been a Sydney institution, David became a popular TV personality more recently as host of Nine’s homeMADE (alongside judges Sibella Court and Neale Whitaker). “Television was a great opportunity to work with a large team on a project that was far removed from my usual working life,” he says. “Experience in television doesn’t really change things though. I must say that I like the reality of my own day-to-day work!”

The team at Orson & Blake are currently working on their new collections for 2012. They’ll be showing them to clients and designers at decoration + design in Sydney in February. “It’s looking really interesting with a strong move towards many new colours, embracing a kind of Bloomsbury feeling. It’s familiar bohemian with a contemporary take on comfort. I particularly love the Tobacco canvas sectional sofa, piped with contrast leather and a huge circular freestanding bookcase. We’ve included brilliant colored ceramics, some exciting new tabletop and giant ikat canvas textiles in deep saturated tones.”

O&B’s Surry Hills store now includes a fashion section and more home accessories than ever before. And they recently opened a popup store in Mosman. There’s a lot more competition out there than there was when David set up O&B in Woollahra with his mother and business partner Mandy almost two decades ago.

“I think it’s great that Australians have embraced decorating, collecting and appreciating design,” says David. “There are many fabulous stores that cover a huge spectrum of tastes and themes. We consider our look a very personal one and one that we have adhered to in our 20 years. We like a mix of textures, finishes, origins and eras. We like to introduce freshness as much as possible. It keeps us intrigued and alive. Juxtaposition is key.

As far as looking about and shopping, I like nothing more than digging around in vintage stores, looking through ethnic textiles or gazing about a gallery.”

O&B’s ever evolving collection aims to embrace the mood of the time, providing interesting and functional items and objects to improve our way of living. David says: “We endeavor to make our stores a hub of all things beautiful and exciting, offering a unique blend of themes and ideas.”

 

 

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Interiors Addict

Guess what I just stumbled upon in Mosman? A beautiful looking Orson & Blake pop up shop in Mili

Guess what I just stumbled upon in Mosman? A beautiful looking Orson & Blake pop up shop in Mili