top 10 – The Interiors Addict

By Kathryn Bamford

To me, candles always needed to be two things: beautiful aesthetically and fabulous smelling! I’ve recently added a third requirement: non toxic. I hadn’t ever given much thought to what’s actually in a candle and I certainly didn’t think they could potentially be toxic. There’s a lot of conflicting research out there on the topic, but why not choose a cleaner option for yourself and your home if it’s available?

Here are my top 10 non-toxic candles and why I love them:

Vela de Cera A blend of fine fragrances and essential oils, made from coconut and soy wax handcrafted in Sydney with a 60-hour burn. Not only is it non toxic, it’s also good for the planet with biodegradable packaging made from 100% recycled materials. My pick is the Esencia De Sandalo. $75.

Vela de Cera – Esencia De Sándalo | Essence Of Santalum – A Blend ...

Lemon Canary Candles and crystals; need I say more?! I would have no hesitation in putting something this beautiful on my coffee table. Their candles are natural, handmade, cruelty-free, sustainable, biodegradable and just all round amazing. With their waxes coming from sustainable farming, they are a renewable resource that can be replaced at the same rate or faster than can be consumed without damaging the ecosystem. Candles bowls start from $129.

Aphrodite crystal soy candle bowl scented with Love, an organic essential oil blend

Maison Blanche I mean bonus points for being monochromatic, this one’s timeless. It also lasts longer with an 80-hour burn time. Meticulously designed and handmade in Sydney using only the highest quality plant-based ingredients. Large candles, $52.

Celia Loves Crafted in Melbourne from 100% natural soy wax and essential oil extracts. Each fragrance has a different arty label and they truly are ALL beautiful designs. Celia might love… so does Kathryn and so will you! Available in 40 or 80-hour burn times. Prices start at $24.95.

Hunter Candles Hand poured in bustling Newtown, Sydney, using Ecosoya wax, made using pure soy beans. The wax is biodegradable and free from pesticides, palm oil, petroleum and GMOs. Their candles use full fragrance, which is non-toxic and have a 40+ hour burn time. Large candle $45.

Mabel Rose // peony + lychee in Amber Glass

Mojo Candle Co Believe it or not these beautiful candles are made from reclaimed beer and wine bottles collected from wineries and restaurants from the Southern Highlands and Canberra! With most fragrances sounding like amazing cocktail combinations (take watermelon lemonade!), these are definitely on the list to try! 50+ hour burn time and $39.90.

Orchard St Each product has been naturopath-created to conjure a positively thriving state of body, mind and spirit; a ‘way of being’ aligned with the wisdom of nature. There are four scents available for the different elements earth, air, fire and water. With an 80+ hour burn time, they are an absolute steal for $48.

Haeckels This one is dedicated to our European followers. Made with a high quality woven cotton wick and eco-friendly soy wax in a thick glass surround and with a burn time of 40 hours. The glass is purposely designed to be reused once the candle is finished as a drinking vessel. Cool right? £55 each.

Salus Spa-inspired products and scents that are made in Australia with natural plant extracts, powerful botanicals, natural soy and 100% pure essential oils. 60-hour burn time. $40 each.

The Candle Library Each candle is made using 100% eco soy wax and their signature, custom fragrance oils. The candles are packaged in Australian manufactured boxes, made of paper that is 100% recycled from waste paper and is carbon neutral. Good for you, good for the planet, and good for your wallet at $45 each.

– Kathryn Bamford is a regular contributor, certified interiors addict and degree qualified interior designer & stylist. You can follow her projects and adventures on Instagram @kathryn_bamford.

10 interior designers’ favourite Melbourne homewares stores

With so many homewares stores out there, getting some expert recommendations can save you time, money and most importantly, tears. Surely I’m not the only one who’s got overemotional in the local bedding store… no? Just me! Moving on.

So, we spoke to 10 of Melbourne’s top interior designers to get their recommendations on their favourite Melbourne homewares stores (and don’t worry Sydney, you’ll get yours in the coming weeks).

Miriam Fanning of Mim Design: I look no further than Mud Australia, especially for platters, vessels, vases and cookware. Their timeless handmade porcelain range combines clean lines, functionality and a beautiful colour palette, and has a minimalist aesthetic that I love.

Screen-Shot-2014-03-23-at-3.10.10-AM — Miriam

Sonia Simpfendorfer of Nexus Designs: Cult have so many simple, beautiful accessories, particularly from the Danish brand Hay; their Kaleido trays range in great, slightly off colours are a favourite. The Scholten & Baijings designed bed linens are minimalist loveliness and they have understated desk accessories, notebooks and even coat hangers.

Lauren Macer of Sisalla Interior Design: Safari Living is easily my favourite store for unique homewares. They consistently have a fantastic selection of up and coming Australian designers mixed with some of my favourite European brands. I love stepping into the little corner shop and being surrounded with luxurious Missoni cushions, gorgeous tableware by Danish brand Menu and a great range of Tom Dixon homewares. There are the lesser known brands too, I love the delicate woven bamboo lights by Ay Illuminate made using traditional methods by artisans in Asia and Africa.

Wilson Tang of Sonelo Design Studio: CIBI is our much-loved go-to Japanese cafe and Japanese designer product store. The subtlety and simplicity of their objects boldly embrace their functionality whilst carefully disguising themselves into an appealing object. Their cookware, dining sets, and glassware are up-there on our wish list.

Diane Bergeron of Mercer School of Interior Design: One of my favourite homewares shops in Melbourne is Modern Times on Smith Street. Their pieces are always original and beautifully crafted. I know when I go in there I can find something that will be timeless and mix well with other styles of furniture. Our reception desk at the Mercer School of Interior Design was purchased from there and makes such a statement when you arrive.

hg11T50_17b_DianeBergeron_portrait-bw-edit — Diane

Matt Gibson of Matt Gibson Architecture + Design: We love Great Dane Furniture in Fitzroy, around the corner from our office. They have a great diverse range of furniture,homewares, lighting and accessories, focusing on natural materials like solid timber that ensure products have a long lifespan. Their timeless mid-century pieces can be styled up or down to either accentuate or pare-back their modernist flavour.

Chris Rak of Robson Rak Architects: The one store that blows me away every time I go in is Nicholas & Alistair in Abbotsford. They’ve always got the most exquisite and original 20th century furniture and objects from Europe. I literally lose my breath every time I go in there. The boys who run it are just so passionate and highly knowledgable that they hit the nail on the head with everything they bring in.

Caecilia Potter of Atticus & Milo: Space Furniture is a favourite because they’re a lovely, friendly team to work with and they have such an eclectic collection of my favourite designers and design studios such as Patrizia Urquiola, Antonio Citterio, Marcel Wanders, Ingo Maurer, Bruno Rainaldi, Edra, Moroso, Maxalto, Foscarini, Opinion Ciatti – I could keep going!

Anna Dutton of Bower Architecture: One of my favourites is Luke Furniture, just around the corner from us on High Street in Prahran. Their range is carefully curated and features timeless pieces with texture and warmth: qualities which align with our own approach to design. They have a great range of ceramics, warm timber accessories, lighting and of course, furniture. We just bought a Modernica Case Study Planter from them in black ceramic and timber for the Bower Architecture studio. It is perfect.

Anna (right) and co-directors Chema Bould and Jade Vidal.

Carole Whiting of Whiting Architects: My favourite Melbourne homewares store is Red Hill House as it always has a great collection of kitchen goods, decorative and practical products and they are always well stocked. They have a keen eye for products with a bit of soul and they support the local community by stocking products produced by local craft makers. With so many mass-produced goods on offer, it’s nourishing to buy one-offs or handmade goods that someone has physically touched and made with love.

We hope you found this list useful. Please let us know what you’d add!