Winning Group has acquired leading furniture, lighting and textiles retailer, Spence & Lyda with a view to establishing a new lifestyle and luxury destination for the home called Winnings, incorporating their existing brands Winning Appliances and Rogerseller.
John Winning, CEO of Winning Group, says: “We are delighted to welcome Spence & Lyda and their team to the Winning Group. Spence & Lyda, led by Fiona Lyda has an incredible reputation for offering the world’s best and emerging brands at the cutting edge of design, including furniture, lighting, homewares and soft furnishings. We are excited to offer Spence & Lyda’s range to more Australians and have it integrated into Winnings, which will be the ultimate lifestyle and luxury shopping experience for the home.
Spence & Lyda
“For over a century, we have helped Australians to create their dream kitchens. Our customers have always told us they wished shopping for their whole renovation was as easy and enjoyable as shopping for appliances with us. We’ve listened and are delighted to now be able to offer our customers a leading, delightful and hassle free shopping experience to fit out their entire dream home. At Winnings, customers will be able to shop their favourite and exclusive brands from Winning Appliances, Rogerseller and Spence & Lyda all under one roof, at our newly renovated Redfern showroom to open later this year. Our flagship Redfern showroom will be the first of many Winnings lifestyle and luxury destination stores for the home, where we will continue on our mission to provide the best shopping experience in the world.”
Rogerseller
Fiona says: “By joining the Winning Group, we are now more than ever before, set for extraordinary things, particularly in the next 12 months with an exciting series of events being run as part of Melbourne Design Week this month and being part of Winnings in Redfern later this year.”
Winning Appliances
Established in 1906, Winning Group is a family-owned, Australian company incorporating five business entities: Appliances Online, Winning Appliances, Rogerseller, Home Clearance and Winning Services.
While it seems a little odd to even consider the great outdoors (given we’re still in the throes of winter) there have been so many fabulous new outdoor furniture and accessories hitting the market lately that we just couldn’t wait to share. From outdoor rugs to chic occasional chairs and unusual lighting, here you’ll find our pick of the bunch, well in time for summer entertaining.
Miss Amara indoor/outdoor rugs We’ve featured this fabulous online rug purveyor before but its indoor/outdoor rugs are definitely worth a mention – after all, an outdoor rug may be just the finishing touch your alfresco scene needs. Both stylish and practical, these rugs are woven with durable mould and sun-resistant fibres and should any mishaps occur, they can be washed with water and laid out in the sun to dry.
Miss Amara Ines indoor/outdoor rug
Miss Amara Rane monochrome indoor/outdoor rug
There’s a variety of great colours available too
Tait & Mokum Summer 2019/20 collection
Australian and New Zealand based textile house Mokum has collaborated with Australian outdoor furniture brand Tait to create a stunning new outdoor range. Taking design cues from the 1970’s, the pieces look almost too gorgeous to leave outside – rounded and tubular frames combine with textural weaves, plush velvets and Tropical-inspired prints. The unique fabrics have been built to withstand the harsh Aussie elements.
Photography by Robert Walsh and styling by Steve Cordony
It’s hard to believe that those velvet armchairs are rated for outdoors! Photography by Robert Walsh and styling by Steve Cordony
Photography by Robert Walsh and styling by Steve Cordony
Robert Plumb
Robust enough for the outdoors but stylish enough to come inside, ‘The Ribbon range’ is the latest outing from Australian outdoor brand Robert Plumb. Designed by David Harrison of Design Daly, the collection takes inspiration from Bauhaus tubular metal furniture reinterpreted in a flat steel bar.
“Robert Plumb wanted something different to what existed, a product that is visually finer and more streamlined. The benefit of metal is that the uncluttered, open and airy result feels lean and minimal in appearance,” says David of the range that comes in 11 standard finishes for the frame (stainless steel and custom shades available on request) and is upholstered in the Westbury Textiles Linnen range.
The beautiful rear details
Glow Outdoor Heating
This range of fire pits presents a great way to use your outdoor area all year round – even some summer evenings can be rather crisp. Our picks are the ‘Valley’ fire pit (an interwoven metal basket design) and the smart and simple ‘Aurora’ design.
‘Aurora’ fire pit
‘Valley’ fire pit
DOMO
Designed by Kun Qi, the Chinese brand Kun Design is now available in Australia at DOMO. Inspired by colour and form of exotic plants and flowers, I love the bold splashes of colour throughout the range that includes seating, tables and accessories.
I love that cobalt blue and burnt orange combo!
Spence & Lyda
A unique take on outdoor lighting, this GRAS in/out adjustable wall lamp is rather fabulous and it’s available locally at Spence & Lyda. Unlike most outdoor lights (designed to illuminate walls), this one acts more like an indoor version and delivers directional light ideal for a balcony, terrace, outdoor lounge or dining setting.
Coco Republic
With over 100 new pieces, the latest outdoor offering from Coco Republic draws on Californian modernism and the sophistication of the Italian Riviera. There’s a mix of natural and man-made materials and textures (including teak, aluminium, steel and rope) as well as an array of shapes including lounges, occasional chairs, dining tables and chairs as well as a poolside offering too. I love the new outdoor geometric sculpture range (made from timber and brass) and the cushions are rather stylish also.
Coco Republic has just launched a fabulous line-up of outdoor sculptures
The lovely new Coco Republic outdoor cushion range
trit
Made in France but available locally at trit, the new Fermob ‘Croisette’ range features a unique take on the rattan trend and is available in bench and armchair iterations and in four colours – cotton white, liquorice, storm grey and honey.
Last week we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers and had them recommend their favourite Melbourne homewares stores. Today it’s Sydney’s turn!
Ioanna Lennox of Ioanna Lennox Interiors:West Elm is my go-to place if I need something to add to an already defined style or existing room or, equally, if I need to pick out some feature items as a starting point for a space. West Elm has everything from contemporary and modern American furniture, rugs, pre-made curtains and soft furnishings to beautiful accents and kitchenware that would enhance any space. The West Elm style is warm, textured and relaxed and fits so well into our contemporary Australian design aesthetic.
Ioanna
Jeremy Bull of Alexander &CO:The creation of cultural brain trust Nicholas Barber (also one of the more lovely human beings you are likely to meet) Dunlin is a beautiful curation of nostalgia and craft. We haven’t found a project yet where there isn’t a great place for a handmade wicker basket, suspended glass terrarium or mast light fitting, and there is never a reason not to have him visit our studio.
Jeremy
Meryl Hare of Hare + Klein:My favourite homewares store is Spence & Lyda. They vary their merchandise and often have one-offs, so they keep us interested! They also have a range of Ruth Levine’s beautiful vessels and totems, a personal favourite.
Spence & Lyda
Christopher Polly of Christopher Polly Architect:Top3 By Design is a favourite, as I’ve found myself consistently revisiting their store due to their broad range of products. They offer good design, ranging from simple to eclectic pieces and they regularly refresh with new products. They have a great mix of lighting, homewares and accessories for utilitarian or decorative purposes.
Christopher
Virginia Kerridge of Virginia Kerridge Architect:My favourite homewares store is Chee Soon & Fitzgerald, and it’s also my local as they are on Regent St, Redfern. It’s a small store but they have lots of quality things, and the fact that it is small means you aren’t overwhelmed by choice as is so often the case! They have a great mixture of products from ceramics and textiles to lighting and gifts. Also you have the added bonus of having a laugh with them every time you visit!
Chee Soon & Fitzgerald
Brendan Wong of Brendan Wong Design: Now in their 30th year, Dinosaur Designs are known for their signature resin pieces. The forms are so fascinating and when placed near a window they illuminate beautifully. They are now working with other diverse materials including brass, silver and agate. They have taken their pieces around the world but their original Paddington store is still at the heart. You’ll find bright resin vases or subdued ceramic bowls, something for every interior.
Brendan
Brad Swartz of Brad Swartz Architect: One of my favourite homewares stores is Catapult Design in Darlinghurst. They have a beautiful collection of furniture from both established and up and coming Australian designers. The finely crafted and minimalistic design of many of their pieces means their furniture can either be a signature piece or sit back and let the architecture, view or artwork take centre stage.
Catapult Designs
Sarah-Jane Pyke of Arent&Pyke: Small Spaces in Redfern is such a rare gem, unlike any other retail experience in Sydney. It is such a beautiful space, part art gallery and part homewares store, with a selection of furniture pieces to suit small homes. A visit to Small Spaces is always inspiring. In this era of mass production, everything in the store feels like a rare treasure, with a strong sense of its maker. As much as the store changes, it maintains its peaceful, light filled calm. You feel like you could move in and spend the rest of your days drinking tea.
Sarah (left) and co-director Juliette Arent
Anoushka Allum of SmartSpace Interiors: I’m always shopping at Papaya in Mosman. I find that the tranquil style and paired back colours that they stock work with almost any interior. I’m a big fan of their pendant lighting, vessels, vases and candle holders. The designs are beautiful and use lots of natural materials. If you’re looking to dress your dining table this is also where I would recommend you go. Placemats, cutlery and crockery all in beautiful natural colours and designs make for a stunning table when entertaining.
Papaya
Chloe Matters of TomMarkHenry: MCM House is my favourite as it typifies some of my most admired elements: neutral and relaxed tones and textures that work in simple harmony. They also mix these simple pieces with wares that have a slight modern, oriental twist. This understated look is powerful and represents a tranquility that I appreciate in design.
Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden
We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!
In a collaboration that was destined to create the ultimate in luxury living, furniture and homewares retailer Spence & Lyda teamed up with property developer Crown Group.
Asked by Crown to style their brand new, three-bedroom penthouse (which sits on the top floor of their soon to open Viking by Crown in Waterloo, Sydney), Spence & Lyda have focused on bringing the outside world in.
“When I first walked into the apartment, I was drawn to the living room and the outdoor space,” says founder, Fiona Spence. “We were standing there as the sun went down and I was struck by the amazing quality of natural light. We worked with the apartment’s own elements to bring that light in.”
To furnish the modern 212 sq m penthouse, Spence & Lyda selected an eclectic combination of one-of-a-kind pieces; including an old Javanese wooden cart refashioned into a coffee table, woven wicker chairs sourced from Denmark and porcelain lights hand thrown in Melbourne. Art by Guy Maestri and Camie Lyons from the Olsen Irwin Gallery is a focal point on the walls, with many homewares and furniture pieces from Spence & Lyda dotting the space.
Viking by Crown features 110 apartments, a stunning 25-metre pool, a fully equipped gymnasium and a ground-floor terrace cafe. The residential development, which will open the first week of October, is located at 30-36 O’Dea Avenue, Waterloo, 5km from Sydney’s central business district, 5km from Sydney Airport and 9km from Bondi beach. The penthouse will open for VIP viewings from mid-September and will be open to the public from early October.
This week’s Covet My Coffee Table is one I hope you’ll all be very excited about. It’s none other than Belle Coco Republic Interior Designer of the Year Greg Natale’s. Not only that, but this is an exclusive sneak peek at photos from Greg’s home, which you’ll be able to see more of in his forthcoming book, The Tailored Interior.
You’ll find plenty of tips on decorating your own home in the book. Isn’t Greg’s living room divine?
So, what’s on his coffee table?
Clockwise from top left: Pink orchids from Grandiflora, Blue Hello Industry candle holders from Paul Smith (purchased in Paris), Fractured Marbled Box by Kelly Wearstler, Paul Smith for Stelton bowl from Space Furniture, Memphis box by Kelly Wearstler, Missoni dish from Spence and Lyda, and Little Black Jacket book by Karl Lagerfeld and Carine Roitfeld underneath Andy Warhol Portraits by Phaidon. The coffee table itself is the Bond by Jonathan Adler.
Check out all our previous Covet My Coffee Tables here.
