Tag: retail

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Furniture Homewares

First pix: New West Elm and Pottery Barn in Chatswood

As a north of the bridge girl and West Elm’s biggest fan (or so I tell myself) I am beyond excited that West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Williams-Sonoma all opened their doors in Sydney’s Chatswood Chase yesterday and I have some of the very first photos to share with you.

West Elm:

Pottery Barn:

I chatted to Michelle Hummel, vice president of global merchandising for the Pottery Barn brands, who was over from the States for the opening. She told me Australians have well and truly embraced the mega brands, owned by Williams-Sonoma Inc: “There’s a lot of similarity between the American and Australian lifestyle in that we all love to entertain and decorate our homes. Australians have really embraced our stores and our products, which are designed in house and exclusive to us, and this has certainly impacted our decision to open more stores.”

The first four stores opened in Bondi Junction, followed by Chapel Street in Melbourne and now Chatswood. All four will also open at the Chadstone shopping centre in Melbourne later this year.

Michelle said it was exciting to see the brands living and breathing so far from home. “We spent a lot of time learning the local market before we opened and we are thrilled to be a part of the energy and style this area is so well known for. We are always exploring opportunities to expand our business further in Australia. Our Chadstone stores will be especially unique in that they are the first store globally where all the brands are inter-connected, allowing shoppers to move freely between stores without having to exit into the mall.”

Pottery Barn's Michelle Hummel
Pottery Barn’s Michelle Hummel

While a lot of research has gone into the Australian market, the shopping experience has not been too “Australianised” with the goal to provide similar products to the American stores but on a seasonally relevant timetable. “We aim to recreate the high level of customer service and inspiring in-store experience we are known for in North America,” Michelle says. “We also love connecting with what’s culturally relevant to our Australian customers through collaborating with local brands and artists. For example, when we opened our West Elm store in Bondi Junction, we worked with artists Maricor and Maricar Manolo to design a bespoke tote bag. We did the same with Bonnie and Neil when we opened the West Elm store in Chapel Street.”

They’re partnering with Gelato Messina at this week’s openings, with celebrations and free ice cream continuing into the weekend.

In terms of what the retailers are offering our marketplace that wasn’t here before, Michelle says their exclusive product is what makes them unique. “Almost all of our products for Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and West Elm are designed in house by our product development teams who travel the world in search of inspiration and trends. At Williams-Sonoma, we offer a mix of carefully curated and exclusive products that bring people together around food. Our service offering is very compelling too with special resources like free design services.

“Store experience is another point of differentiation. From inspiring displays to hiring associates who are truly excited by interior design and entertaining at home, we’re able to deliver a great level of service to customers. We’re also able to offer shoppers depth and variety by situating all four brands near each other in Chatswood Chase and under the same roof at Bondi Junction. There’s something for everyone!”

Pottery Barn Kids:

Williams-Sonoma:

If you’re not in NSW or VIC, you can shop online at West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Williams-Sonoma.

I’m doing a Q&A with stylist Jason Grant at his book signing at West Elm Chatswood this Saturday from 12 noon until 2pm. Come along and say hi! More details.

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Furniture Homewares

Henry Corbett & Co: a holistic approach to lifestyle where interiors are just one element

We all have a ‘dream’ space, a place in our heads that we retreat to to escape the daily grind. Maybe it’s an old cosy bedroom from a childhood home, or a hammock stretched between two palms on an anonymous stretch of white sand – be it fictional or real, when we imagine this place, we are immediately transported to a space perfectly idyllic and suited to all of own personal tastes and needs. Well, Henry Corbett & Co can help to make some of those dreams come true – at least for those of us with more luxurious taste, that is.

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With a belief that interiors are delicately woven into our day from the moment we wake up, this boutique business (which opened last month) aims to offer a truly unique service for those seeking to create a beautiful space; be it at home or as a place of business. With a holistic outlook on design, Henry Corbett & Co effortlessly combines architecture, interior design, lifestyle and culture to provide its clients with everything they need to build their dream space from the ground up.

The company’s architecture and interior design business offers clients the chance to take control of the design of their space from a structural and decorative perspective, drawing on the expertise and skills of their team who have backgrounds in the fields of architecture, interior design, construction and engineering. With a penchant for sourcing natural, but luxurious products, Henry Corbett & Co aims to create ‘design forward sanctuaries’ for its clients; from the spatial planning, to the colour scheme, to the lighting selection.

The unique retail space, located in Woollahra in Sydney’s east, effectively compliments this service by showcasing a range of lifestyle and culture products including furniture, home accessories, fashion items, apothecary and more. The idea behind the diverse range is to inspire clients looking to style their space from top to bottom, in a manner that truly reflects who they are. The selection of the pieces, designed by artisans from around the globe, is guided by the company’s philosophy of transfusing luxury with authenticity to create organic, elegant design, with a particular focus on natural materials.

Without a doubt, the intricately intertwined services offered Henry Corbett & Co provide a design experience that is unlike many others. And for those who find themselves lost in a land of luxury and style when they daydream, a visit to Henry Corbett & Co’s beautiful boutique will feel like the first step towards making that dream come to life.

 

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Interiors Addict

Oroton’s new interior inspired by the Australian landscape

While we don’t normally write about retail interiors, Oroton’s new flagship store in Sydney’s iconic QVB definitely warrants a mention.

Oroton OVB 5

Designed in collaboration between leading London-based creative consultancy Universal Design Studio and Oroton’s creative director Ana Maria Escobar, it features fresh neutrals and ceramic hues, natural light and refined architectural details.

Oroton OVB 3

With a look that aims to echo the Australian rural landscape, raw, heavy and unfinished materials are contrasted against the processed, fine and polished. Natural light further accentuates the design, with reflection and shadow being apparent throughout. The perforated brass screens at the entrance diffuse the outside light and the fitting rooms are backlit with sheer fabric bringing tranquility to the store.

Oroton OVB 2

The Oroton QVB Flagship Boutique is located at Shop 19-23, Grand Walk, Queen Victoria Building, 455 George Street, Sydney, Australia.

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Designers Interviews

From Mimco stores to townhouses, the DesignOffice duo go for ‘complex simplicity’

Originally beginning as the Australian office of one of London’s leading firms, Universal Design Studio, it wasn’t until 2011 that all the power (and the pressure!) was transferred to Damien Mulvihill and Mark Simpson, as the office transitioned to become their very own firm, DesignOffice.

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Damien and Mark

“I never had any plans to set up my own studio but when the opportunity came up to join the new Melbourne studio of Universal it was too good an opportunity to miss,” explains Damien. “DesignOffice was a very natural progression a few years later and although we’re now a separate business, we still think of Universal as a sister company. It’s great to have a wider network of experience and support, both locally and globally.”

Having now run their own interior design and architecture practice for the last three years, they work across a range of sectors. For them, it’s all about meeting their clients’ needs, whether that be designing an exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, working on the new store layout at Witchery and Mimco or creating a temporary bar for Space Furniture. “At their heart, our projects should be a direct response to the client’s brief,” says Mark. “This involves a process of listening, observing and questioning before creating what we hope to be original and authentic responses, tailored to their brief and brand.”

Mimco Melbourne
Mimco Melbourne

With a core team of four, they’re receiving some well deserved attention, including winning Best in State for Commercial Design at this year’s Interior Design Awards. And while they clearly have a strong connection with commercial and retail design, it is their recently completed residential development that they are particularly excited about. “We recently had a great experience working on our first residential development doing the interiors for the Park & Raphael Townhouses,” explains Mark. “The client, Kalex, genuinely wanted to challenge the notion of a townhouse development, tailoring the approach directly to the lifestyles of their target audience and it is these opportunities to respond to a client’s ambition which excite us.”

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Park & Raphael Townhouses
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Park & Raphael Townhouses

With a style that has been called complex simplicity, their projects, while differing dramatically, have an underlying consistency that includes craft and materiality and a specific interest in colour and light. By keeping their studio small, they have also ensured that their style remains constant, with both Damian and Mark working on every single one of their projects. “We can be personally involved in every project,” explains Mark. “As well as this, we still get to work closely with the contractors and craftspeople who bring it all to fruition.”

Damian and Mark see their friendship as the most important ingredient in the success of their practice. “I would never attempt to run my own studio without a business partner who I genuinely respect and genuinely like — you will spend a lot of time together,” says Damian. “Running your own studio is incredibly rewarding, but also a lot of work, so two heads are better than one!”

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Interiors Addict

Retailers: next season’s best-selling items are waiting to be discovered

General Eclectic, Stand E2318, Exhibition Pavilion (MSG)

Sponsored by Home & Giving

Melbourne is famous for its incredible hidden laneways which are full of vibrancy, colour and activity. It comes as no surprise that it is home to some of the most amazing lifestyle brands in the Australian market; and Melbourne Home & Giving Fair is where these best-selling brands come together to put on an energetic show for retail buyers.

General Eclectic, Stand E2318, Exhibition Pavilion (MSG)
General Eclectic, Stand E2318, Exhibition Pavilion (MSG)

This August, it’s all about bringing together the incredible products that reflect the latest styles and inspiring trends– with a Melbourne twist. The show floor at Home & Giving Fair will become a city grid, replicating the diversity of retail stores found everywhere from Chapel Street in South Yarra, to Brunswick street in Fitzroy and beyond.

Darcy & Duke, Stand E2718, Exhibition Pavilion (MSG)
Darcy & Duke, Stand E2718, Exhibition Pavilion (MSG)

At Home & Giving Fair, retail buyers can expect a line-up of over 470 wholesalers, including well-known international brands such as Bodum, Royal Selangor and Le Creuset, along with 70+ brand new exhibitors and thousands of new products. Exhibition Pavilion at Melbourne Showgrounds will host an Australian first, a new Fair Trade Zone, where retail buyers can find a collective of over 20 exhibitors showcasing beautiful product with an ethical edge.

Look out for the ‘street art walls’ that signpost the Home & Giving Fair’s creative alleyways at Door 7 at the MCEC and Avenue Pavilion at the MSG. Sign your name or company, strike a pose and share your snap by hashtagging #homeandgiving for your chance to win $200 South Wharf Promenade Dining Voucher.

Holiday Trading & Co, Stand A1001, Avenue Pavilion (MSG)
Holiday Trading & Co, Stand A1001, Avenue Pavilion (MSG)

It’s less than a month away from the biggest retail buying cycle in Australia so don’t miss the largest gift and homewares trade event on the calendar. Melbourne Home & Giving Fair is trade only, and runs from 2-6 August, at both the Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre and the Melbourne Showgrounds. For more information and to register today, visit their website.

Carnival Homewares. Stand C47, Door 7 – 10 (MCEC)
Carnival Homewares. Stand C47, Door 7 – 10 (MCEC)

 

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Homewares Interviews

Cranmore Home: bringing beautiful homewares to regional WA

When your nearest neighbour is a few kilometres away and the only shop in a respectable distance sells groceries, for those who value interiors and homewares, living in rural Australia can easily become the kiss of death.

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Tracy Lefroy

But for Tracy Lefroy, being based on a farm in regional Western Australia inspired her to bring beautiful homewares to the people of her hometown, by creating her store, Cranmore Home. Offering its wares online, in a permanent showroom in Moora and via pop-up retail events throughout WA, Cranmore Home stocks a combination of Australia’s tried and tested favourite brands, alongside emerging Australian artisans.

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Cranmore Home’s permanent showroom in Moora

“Living in regional WA means that I am not influenced by what is being shown in other shops, simply because there are no other shops near me,” explains Tracy. “I have a very strong idea of the aesthetic I am creating at Cranmore Home so I know pretty quickly if an artisan is going to fit with that. This is not an aesthetic with an eye on emerging trends, but one which values longevity over fads.”

With her permanent showroom in her regional hometown of Moora, Tracy is not content in serving just that area’s residents, hence the pop-up events taking her across the state to a very receptive audience.

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Pop-up retail event at the Beermullah Shearing Shed

“I just love the pop-up retail events in regional WA,” says Tracy. “It is such a treat to bring amazing Australian-designed homewares to an audience that is not normally able to access these brands in their own region. We have also had access to some amazing venues, such as Beermullah Shearing Shed, where we converted this beautifully renovated shed into a styled venue, such as I have never seen before.”

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Pop-up retail event at the Beermullah Shearing Shed

Working where she does has the obvious challenge of being geographically removed from the artisans whose work she sells. But Tracy believes this separation also sees her removed from others’ influences, allowing her to stay true to her own values. Her latest big idea is her inaugural Winter Workshop. Being held on 28 June at the farm where she lives, Cranmore Park, the event will bring the people behind the brands at Cranmore Home to WA to share their skills.

“The Winter Workshop will provide the opportunity to attend intimate workshops of just 15 participants with some of Australia’s most talented artisans,” explains Tracy. “The day will be divided into two sessions, with a long table lunch of local, seasonal food and paired wines. The Workshops have been tailored to suit anyone from a novice to a well-skilled artist.”

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Tracy’s farm home, historic Cranmore Park

The Workshop will be made that much more special by being based in Tracy’s historic farmhouse home, where she lives with her husband Kristin and their three children. Currently halfway through a ten-year renovation plan, the process of designing and styling her house is what inspired Tracy to start her own shop in the first place.

“My own aesthetic is one and the same as Cranmore Home,” says Tracy. “Living in and renovating an old home has given me such an appreciation for the longevity of great design. It was when we moved into our home that I really honed my love of design and became focused on only filling my home (and so my shop) with Australian-designed products that I truly loved.”

With a busy schedule of pop-ups and workshops as well as monitoring both her physical and online shop, Tracy is in no way slowing down. But that’s exactly how she likes it.

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Interiors Addict

Jardan finally open its doors to the public in Sydney & Melbourne

Jardan, one of Australia’s most coveted furniture brands, is finally opening its doors to the public in Sydney and Melbourne. For the first time the showrooms, in Rosebery NSW and Mount Waverley VIC, will open their doors to the public, a privilege previously reserved for architects and interior designers.

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For more than 3 decades, the family owned and run business has built a strong reputation as one of the country’s finest furniture designers and producers. Brothers Nick and Mike have grown the business from its humble beginnings, with just 8 staff in 1997 and more than 100 today.

Continue reading “Jardan finally open its doors to the public in Sydney & Melbourne”

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Interiors Addict

Should stores embrace customers taking and sharing photos with their phones?

Sponsored by the Australian Gift & Homewares Association (AGHA)

Consumers spend 250% more time on social media than they did just 2 years ago. There are 250 million photos uploaded each day to Facebook, with 34% of bloggers posting opinions about products and brands. 90% of consumers trust peer recommendations and only 14% trust advertisements (www.socialnomics.net).

Crowley & Grouch

Photo-taking for sharing on social media increasingly occurs in retail stores, an environment traditionally off limits to photography. Many retailers have been wary of the practice, and have only grown more so as they believe the perpetrators are using their stores as free showrooms prior to making the actual purchase at a different retailer, online.

Continue reading “Should stores embrace customers taking and sharing photos with their phones?”

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Interiors Addict

The day I’d been waiting for: the Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma preview

So, for several months now I’ve been banging on about the Williams-Sonoma Inc big four coming to Sydney. For the uninitiated, I’m talking about Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma. I’ll be straight with you, as a non-mummy blogger, I have little interest in Pottery Barn Kids and as a less than enthusiastic cook (I’m going to make a rubbish wife!) I had minimal interest in Williams-Sonoma. Pottery Barn and West Elm however, bring that on! I know you’re fans too because posts about these stores have been consistently in my most popular for months! And at yesterday’s much anticipated preview, I was definitely not disappointed.

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West Elm is SO COOL. I have to admit it’s my favourite. Who better than creative director Vanessa Holden, a Sydney girl who made the move to NYC (who I interviewed recently) to show us round? She talked about West Elm’s trademark eclectic, global mix of pieces which you’re encouraged to mix up as you wish with your existing pieces or family heirlooms to create your own, confident style at home, with the help of their friendly and knowledgable staff.

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west elm blue

West  Elm is young and cool but not too hipster. It’s mix and match, laidback but not too casual. I just love it. Its pieces are more apartment-appropriate than Pottery Barn’s larger furniture and well, they just look look like they belong in a warm and comfortable, trendy, young space. You do feel like your parents could equally walk in and find something which worked perfectly with their much loved pieces. It’s just that kind of range, and the range will change frequently.

Continue reading “The day I’d been waiting for: the Pottery Barn, West Elm and Williams-Sonoma preview”

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Interiors Addict

Abigail Ahern brings retail masterclass to Sydney in February: one day only, don’t miss out!

The fab Abigail is on our shores again in February as a keynote speaker at Decoration + Design. And despite her flying visit, she’s decided to hold a retail masterclass on 7 February. Bookings open in a matter of hours and you’d be wise to buy your ticket quick smart, as they will sell out quickly. Read more about it on her blog here.

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Interiors Addict

West Elm and Pottery Barn to open in Australia

West Elm

VERY exciting news today! Well loved American home furnishing and kitchen brands West Elm, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids and Williams-Sonoma are all opening in Sydney next year. I know MANY of you will be delighted to hear this because shipping heavy goods from the States just isn’t an option. Now all we need is Anthropologie…

West Elm

The stores, which will all open under the same roof at Bondi Junction’s new Exchange Building, are the first company-owned retail stores outside of North America as part of retail giant Williams-Sonoma Inc.’s global expansion strategy. Who said Australia gets everything last?

Continue reading “West Elm and Pottery Barn to open in Australia”
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Interiors Addict

September trade fair offers free seminar series for homewares wholesalers

Thousands of retailers are writing their shopping lists in preparation for one of NSW’s biggest gift and homewares events, Reed Gift Fairs Sydney September (September 17-20 at the Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre). More than 450 wholesalers from around Australia will showcase their newest products in the last opportunity for retailers to buy their stock for the all-important Christmas season and summer.

“At Sydney September, the final fair of the year on the Reed Gift Fairs calendar, we expect to see developing gift trends for not only Christmas, but items for summer as well,” says Exhibition Director Omer Soker. The event is expected to attract up to 10,000 visitors and generate tens of millions of dollars in sales.

It’s no secret though, that the rise of online shopping is greatly affecting Australian retailers. To encourage retailers and exhibitors to embrace change and adapt to new opportunities, Reed Gift Fairs will launch the inaugural Future Retailer seminar series at the September fair. It will address any questions exhibitors might have about the changing retail landscape, and will offer guidance to retailers on how they can innovate to better serve their customers and grow their businesses.

“No matter what product an exhibitor sells or what area they specialise in, they will definitely learn something of value from Future Retailer, which they can then apply to their business,” Soker says. Future Retailer is open to all registered buyers and exhibitors, and will run on the Saturday, Sunday and Monday of the Sydney fair on the exhibition floor at the back of Hall 3. Reservations are not needed.

Reed Gift Fairs attracts buyers across the following categories: Kitchen, Homewares, Jewellery & Fashion, Designer, and Outdoor. Every year exhibitors at Reed Gift Fairs unveil new products and showcase upcoming designs, trends and colours.

For more information visit http://www.reedgiftfairs.com.au