Tag: pendants

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Designers Homewares

Siblings’ sustainable rugs from Sugarcane Trading Co

When Tim Barnes went to visit his sister Sally Murali in India, neither of them expected a wrong turn would lead to their next business venture. Travelling through the outskirts of Delhi, a moment of confusion saw them drive by a rug display and both were instantly taken.

“We were totally entranced,” explains Sally. “We decided to visit the village community where artisans were weaving these stunning rugs and floor cushions, all made from off-cuts discarded from clothing production. This craft dated back hundreds of years and has been passed down from generation to generation.”

With a love for handmade and sustainable products, in that moment the siblings decided to go into business together, with a mission to bring ethically created, design-led homewares to Australia. Specialising in rugs and oversized floor cushions, all the wares by Sugarcane Trading Co are made by skilled artisans with nothing more than hand operated looms and simple tools. No electricity, no motors and no machinery. Best yet, the textiles are handwoven from natural jute and cotton waste that would otherwise end up in a landfill.

Since starting earlier this year, the business has expanded. With the slow homewares movement in mind, they have added a range of handmade metal pendants and table lights, each hand etched with intricate detail. “All our products are made to last,” says Sally. “We want to reduce the impact of wasteful consumption on the environment and celebrate the skills of traditional craftsmanship. Conscious consumption is our driving force, not flooding the world with throwaway products.”

The rugs start from $260. Plus every purchase contributes to The Sugarcane Trust, Sally and Tim’s charity in India, which enhances the welfare and livelihoods of the artisans.

Shop online | More sustainable homewares

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Homewares

Jen’s Lust List 23.05.17

How beautiful are these pieces by small Melbourne studio Felix Furniture? Cork and plywood never looked so good. The young couple behind the brand make everything by hand themselves  and are big on sustainability. It’s no wondered they’ve amassed a large following in just three years.

I’ve been getting a bit wallpaper obsessed lately as I really want some in the office. I love what’s on offer at Quercus & Co. as well as Greg Natale and Anna Spiro’s ranges (both really different!) from Porter’s Paints. And you may remember I’ve used the gorgeous Publisher Textiles’ Bugsey design in my last two homes, I loved it so much! But I think it’s time for something different. Any other great Aussie wallpaper brands out there I don’t know about? Please share with me in the comments!

Anna Spiro for Porter’s Paints wallpaper

Also, speaking of home offices, I’ve just bought this storage combo from Pottery Barn. I hate when office furniture looks too, well, officey! There’s nothing corporate about these lovely grey pieces and I think the price point is really good too. Windsor door cabinet, Windsor bookshelf and Windsor storage unit (at the time of writing, these are all on sale). There’s a matching desk too but I already have a timber one.

We featured these yesterday, but I’m really loving Mr Jason Grant’s new tile range with Di Lorenzo. So much so I’m reconsidering my stone splashback in my future kitchen in favour of the mini bricks in deep sea. Yes, we’re talking navy, you got me!

I’m so pleased with these pendants we recently installed in our living room. They were a brave choice and they definitely make a statement but they’re working so well in the big space. Everyone has loved them and even better, they take LED bulbs so they’re really energy efficient as well as beautiful! I’ll be sharing some more photos of the full room soon. Lancette 9 Light CTC in Brushed Brass, $299 from Beacon Lighting

I’m also loving these cool, all-natural handmade baskets from new brand J’Jute. From $149. Many other designs available. Toys, shoes, towels: I see endless potential uses!

And last but not least, I’m loving Georgia MacMillan’s third textile range, especially this gingham-look Farglioni Blue Check. Isn’t it divine?! Available in Australia via Nicola Lawrence Textiles and Papers, $189 per metre.

I’ll be back with more favourite finds next Tuesday!

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Designers Homewares Interviews

Little Bishop: the simple and easy new way to hang lights

The problem: Nothing but brass hooks to position and suspend cable hung pendant lights.

The solution: A hand crafted, hand cast, truly minimal form, designed for the job!

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For years, Melbourne interior designer Dominique Hunter was frustrated with the makeshift method in which cable hung pendant lights were positioned and secured. The common solution at the time – a brass hook – was not appropriate for many of the great lights she used in her interiors.

So she enlisted the help of her partner Antony Richards to create an elegant and natural way to hang pendant lights in her projects. While managing their business Hunter & Richards, Antony used his spare time and background in jewellery design to carefully hand craft a hook that could position and suspend cable hung ceiling lights with no knot, clamp, bolt, screw or clip.

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“We wanted a solution that would not stand out as a feature, one that would let the cable hang naturally” says Dominique. A decision made early in the project was to have the cable lock itself down. This lead to a form that was beautiful in itself, but when wrapped with the electrical cable it took a step back and let the design of the light fitting do its job, letting (pardon the pun) the light shine!

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“There are so many cool light fittings around, and just because you’re not spending a lot on one doesn’t mean you have to compromise on the minor details of an interior project by using a cheap hook from the hardware store. We wanted something that was designed for this purpose alone, and be a solution that would suit any pendant no matter the budget or style of interior,” Dominique adds.

After some workshop experimentation, a prototype was born. A small run of cast reproductions allowed Antony and Dominique to test the design on one of their interior projects. They were very happy with the result, and decided to develop the product further.

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Antony turned to the internet to raise funds and gauge people’s interest. The popularity of crowd funding made Kickstarter an obvious choice, with its ability to spread the word quickly and keep people updated on the status of the project proving to be a powerful tool in the birth of a new product.

Antony said: “The Kickstarter campaign was a great way to get people in on our story and to have them join our journey as a small, independent design practice doing good design work and getting their first product out to market. It’s also a great way for people to be first with a new product or to grab a bargain, as the ideas featured are usually priced a lot lower than existing products and established brands.”

The campaign was successful, raising $15,467 or 309% of the funding goal. This allowed the pair to complete the development of the Little Bishop and then move ahead with production. Next month will see the first batch of Little Bishop Pendant Light Hooks delivered to expectant Kickstarter backers, as well as buyers who’ve purchased from the online store.

For more information and to order.

Categories
Furniture

Metallic, minimal lighting with an unexpected twist

Lighting designer Volker Haug’s latest range gives minimal forms an unexpected twist. A definite departure from the German born (Melbourne based) designer’s bright and colourful aesthetic, the collection features four playful pendant designs with metallic finishes.

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Electric Ballroom Pendant

The Electric Ballroom Pendant is simultaneously nostalgic and modern, calling to mind a romancing couple waltzing around the dance floor or even a UFO coming into land! A dramatic design, the new shade is lined with a spun polished brass conical interior and is fitted with 10 randomly dispersed fancy round lamps.

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Flipside Pendant

The playful Flipside Pendant, features metallic discs that flip, split and realign. Ricocheting light, these abstract levitating discs are suspended on a braided metallic cable, can be customised in a variety of finishes and arranged in single or multiple configurations.

Side Step Pendant
Side Step Pendant
Side Side Kick Pendant
Side Side Kick Pendant

The Side Step and Side Kick Pendants combine simple angles with refined materials to create minimal yet dynamic designs. Made from polished brass and a braided metallic cable, they also feature a custom ceiling mount that perfectly counter-balances the intersecting arms below.

Giant Pendant
Giant Pendant

The supersized Giant Pendant takes a simple exposed lamp pendant to gigantic proportions. With a metallic braided cable, a huge lamp holder and a matching custom ceiling plate, the pendant also includes a gargantuan 150mm lamp.

Shop online.

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Furniture Homewares

The new winter 2015 trend: Hamptons Hardware

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

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

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Catena Pendant, $299

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

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

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

Roto Fan, $349
Roto Fan, $349

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

Harvest Pendant, $299
Harvest Pendant, $299

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

Nuvo Table Lamp, $149
Nuvo Table Lamp, $149

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

Southampton Exterior Pendant, $299
Southampton Exterior Pendant, $299

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

For more information.

Categories
Homewares

Olivia’s Fab Four Insta-Finds 20.05.15

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Olivia’s Fab Four is a weekly post that features my favourite finds on Instagram for the past week. To be in the running, all you have to do is hashtag your product photos #oliviasfabfour and tag them with my handle: @oliviashead.

olivias fab four 53 interiors addict

Here are this week’s beautiful products (clockwise from top left)

1. Humpback Whale Pillowcase, $35, from Brown Paper Lemon. @brownpaperlemon

2. Finn Concrete Pendant, $99.95, from Milk & Sugar. @milksugarmelb

3. Copper Mandala Tumbler (small), $45, from Liquorice Moon Studios. @liquorice_moon_studios

4. Extra Chunky Merino Wool Blanket, $600, from Ardency. @sianevanscreative

 I’ll be back with more next week! Olivia x
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Appliances Designers Expert Tips Furniture The Block

Stylish lighting tips from The Block’s Josh and Jenna

Two time The Block contestants and now brand ambassadors for Beacon Lighting, Josh and Jenna are still bringing their dynamic style to Australia via their exclusive Josh & Jenna Range.

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Josh and Jenna

Encompassing pendants, ceiling fans, lamps, track lights and LED products, their experience in design, decoration and renovation have made them the perfect couple to share some tips on how to use lighting effectively in your home.

Tip 1 — Pendant perfection

Try clustering pendants at different heights or even mixing different shaped pendants together to make more of an impact in a room.

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Tip 2 — Mixing trends

Mixing trends such as Scandinavian with industrial elements of chrome and bronze is a great way to add a contemporary edge to your existing decor.

Tip 3 — Exposed globes

Add an extra style element to an interesting light with a different shaped globe for a perfect contemporary light.

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For more on the Josh & Jenna Beacon Lighting Range.

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Furniture Homewares Interviews

Beautiful homewares that empower women in developing countries

When husband and wife Rick and Annette Carter took a trip to India and the Philippines, a seed was planted for what would grow to become their ethical lifestyle label, One Another. With the products very beautiful in their own right, the fair trade component is just an added bonus as far as the consumer’s concerned!

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Then working for not-for-profit Opportunity International, the couple were welcomed into the villages and homes of many inspiring women using amazing skills to support their families. So, with Rick’s background in design and photography and Annette’s in fashion, they decided to combine their love of modern design with the traditional artisan skills of the talented women they had met.

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Creating a collection of ethically made cushions, throws, clutch bags, yarn bowls, yarn pendants, scarves and artworks, their products are less trend driven and more focused on handmade qualities and unique textures. Their latest collection, Intersect, which is now available online and will be in stores early May, combines structural grids, classic checks and 3D quilts using their trademark hand embroidery and hand-woven T-Yarn.

“We love all things mono so for this collection, we kept the base palette pretty neutral so that the textures did the talking,” says Rick. “We have used lots of charcoal marle, cool grey and crisp white, but added touches of denim, pale blue and blush for subtle colour or a hit of tangerine for some zing! Ultimately, the collection is where modern design ‘intersects’ with traditional artisan skills to create products that help empower women to rise above poverty.”

interiors addict one another
Currently working with three collectives – that combined provide work for 20 women – One Another has partners all across the developing world. “The perfect hand embroidery is stitched in India, the beautiful loop weaving is from South Africa and the new hand loomed wool throws are from near the Nepal border,” explains Rick. “We are also starting to develop some wall art with a new collective in Africa which we hope to release in a few months.”

Working with women who may be widowed or have parents too sick to work, they provide fair pay, safe and clean working conditions and the option to work at home, should they need to care for their family. “For example, they work normal hours and have a weekend, which is practically unheard of in India. By using their unique skills, we are helping empower the women, transform their communities and create a better future for their families.”

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What is also incredibly special about One Another, is the personal touch they add to each final product. “The women are at the heart of everything we do and that’s the reason why every product we make is hand-signed by the embroiderer or weaver who made it. This signature is a source of much pride for the women as well as letting the customers know the actual name of the person who has put their hands and heart into making the cushion or throw they have sitting on their couch.”

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With the hope to increase their impact and work with more and more groups of women, One Another’s end goal is to open up their own store. “We’d love to showcase some of our favourite ethical brands from around the world and be a place where consumers will know every purchase makes a difference.”

Shop online.

Photography by Rick Carter | Styling by Bettina McILwraith

Categories
Homewares

Lane’s sustainable lampshades made entirely from paper

In collaboration with British paint brand Little Greene, Lane have released six new colourways for their highly praised Twin Tone Lampshade.

lane interiors addict

With each lampshade coming in two carefully matched colours, it has been screen printed on the inside and out. Made entirely from FSC accredited thick paper, avoiding the unnecessary use of plastics and metals common to most lampshades, the paper is made by one of the oldest mills in the UK.

Lane Little Greene Twin Tone Lampshade Loft White and Orange Aurora Context Low Res interiors addict

Selected for Belgium’s Design Museum Gent’s Linked exhibition in 2013 by the honorary director because of its contemporary take on a classic concertina form and its sustainable design; the exhibition gave the Twin Tone Lampshade international recognition and encouraged Lane to further advance the product through their partnership with Little Greene.

The Twin Tone Lampshade is stocked at Fitzroy’s Form.Function.Style and Bondi’s Yellow Bungalow, as well as being available through Lane’s online shop.

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Furniture

Get the scandi look with these affordable decorative pendants

Having lived in Denmark for the past four months, I’m lucky enough to be in the company of beautiful Scandinavian design on a daily basis. So I can confidently say that the new and affordable Nordic inspired lighting range by Brilliant Lighting is the real deal!

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Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker

Available exclusively through Bunnings Australia, the high quality range features decorative pendants that epitomise the Scandi look through materials such as pale unfinished timber and matt black metal. Using simple, limited palettes in neutral, charcoal, black and white, the lighting retails from the steal of $29.90 to $399.00.

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Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker

The perfect complement for your home, interior designer and trend forecaster Bree Leech says the simple contemporary designs from the range will help bring a little bit of Scandinavia to your household. “The Scandi look is where graphic geometry and clean lines meet organic and relaxed finishes. Modern lighting that combines any of these elements works in the Scandi look. Choose simple large industrial pendants or timber balanced-arm lamp bases with black or white shades. Other options might include single colour or timber finish graphic geometric designs that feature shards, facets, cubes or polygons.”

brilliant scandi interiors addict
Bree Leech for Brilliant Lighting. Photography: Mike Baker

Established more than 25 years 
ago, Brilliant Lighting is committed to innovative design and quality. Acknowledged as an innovator in domestic lighting, it is one of the largest and most respected names in the Australian lighting industry with a range of more than 1500 products. All Brilliant Lighting products come with a 12-month warranty and use the latest LED technology, the most efficient and durable option on the market.

For more information.

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Interiors Addict

Beacon upping their lighting game

Good, affordable lighting can be hard to come across in this country. If you want to buy online, even harder. I’ve heard Bunnings have some cool stuff going on at the moment, which I must check out, and I’ve been pretty impressed with Beacon too, having seen a lot of their stuff on The Block. What do you think of their latest limited edition Stockholm range, which is only available online? It’s all made from natural timber.

These  natural wood pendants are $795.

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Continue reading “Beacon upping their lighting game”