Tag: wool

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Designers Homewares Interviews

From Nepal to Sydney, Oon homewares with a conscience

Growing up, Sumnima Moktan always had two passions: social work and design. Born in Kathmandu, Nepal, she had witnessed first hand the gender inequality and poverty that was so prevalent in her neighbouring communities, but with an urge to pursue a creative vocation, Sumnima arrived at a crossroad.

Oon 9 LR

“I came to Australia for my masters in public health, however while at uni I took a job in retail selling designer rugs. It was a very creative process and without my active knowing, I was learning so much and having an outburst of design ideas. So, then came the fork in the road: did I leave a career that I was studying towards and embark on an uncertain adventure; and if so, what about all the social work that I wanted to do?”

Oon 10 LR

So rather than pick one, Sumnima decided to combine both, starting Oon (Nepali for wool), an ethical homewares and fashion brand committed to social entrepreneurship and responsibility. “With fair trade being a key philosophy, our focus is on equitable commerce and the overall welfare of our Nepalese artisans. We carefully select the factories and makers we work with, we make sure there’s no child labor, there’s good working conditions and hours, and fair trade acceptable wages. We also look for codes of practice and ethics and we do not haggle for cheaper prices or production.”

Oon 26 LR

While Sumnima is now based in Sydney, she often visits her makers in Kathmandu, happy to see that many of her female artisans are able to put their wages into improving their living conditions and basic education for their children.

However, what is also important to her is that she ensures the Nepalese craft survives. “Nepal has long been known for its artisanal heritage, especially the hand-knotted wool rugs. So we design a range of these rugs, as well as felt cushions, vase sleeves, bowls and baskets. We also manufacture clothing in cashmere. Sustainability and the environment are close to our heart, so all items are made of natural, renewable materials.”

Oon 16 LR

With the collection drawing inspiration from the colours, rich culture and traditional artisanal heritage of Kathmandu, the wares are suitable for both kids and adults.

Shop online.

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Art Designers Interviews

The Colour English: creating beautiful one-of-a-kind wool art

Being introduced by a mutual friend it only took a meal and a glass of wine for Georgia English and Rachel Osborne-Walker to know that they wanted to go into business together. What that business would be, however, was less clear.

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Georgia and Rachel

“We were from similar backgrounds and both craving a new project but had no firm idea of how we were going to combine our talents and skills,” explains Georgia. “But we hit it off and knew we could work wonders together. We were both at a stage with the age of our children where we needed something for us and something to express our creativity again.”

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[contextly_sidebar id=”4eSnSJT2OXcat8Jh5Hn7RJJ1LFYD3bCB”]With Georgia coming from a background in media and fashion and Rachel a career in publishing, they both shared an obsession with creating things. So when Georgia picked up a part-time job in their local wool and craft shop on the Mornington Peninsula, inspiration struck. “We met in the wool shop on Georgia’s lunch break one day and decided to buy five balls of wool each,” says Rachel. “The soft texture of beautiful wool is such an alluring medium to work with, so we then spent an evening experimenting with our new yarns and our first wool art was formed!” From there, in late 2014, their business The Colour English was born.

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Creating one-of-a-kind wool art, each piece has its own unique personality. “We give them a name when they are finished and describe what they mean to us and how they have evolved on an individual label that is placed on the back of each piece,” explains Rachel. “Some pieces we work together on. Other pieces we work on individually.”

Inspired by colour, they create their art with no set plan but rather discuss what kind of mood they want the colours to give off. “We let the wool and colours happen freely,” says Georgia. “The soft textures of beautiful wool is such an alluring medium to work with. We are inspired by the gentle texture and the huge range of amazing yarns now available.”

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Whilst wool is definitely their medium of choice, they are both interested in pursuing other crafts in the coming months. “Georgia has dabbled in painting with acrylics in the past and has been commissioned on a few occasions,” says Rachel. “Going forward we aim to build our brand with the introduction of original painted artworks, prints and another project that we are calling fabric art. Our framed fabric art will be created using vintage fabrics and trims.” Watch this space!

Styling by Mardi Mason | Photography by Lisa Atkinson

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Bedrooms Homewares

ALDI does bedding, and it’s as affordable as you’d expect!

Before I saw Monday night’s advert while watching The Block, I had absolutely no idea that ALDI did bedding! I’m not sure if I was just late to the party, or this is news to most of you, but I find the whole thing quite exciting.

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Their Winter Bedroom Special Buys range goes on sale today and features a complete range of bedding, including a mattress (available for less than $300!), 100% Australian wool quilts, underblankets and pillows.

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Some of the best buys include the Australian Wool Quilt (king size for $79.99, queen size for $69.99 and single size for $59.99), which is filled with Australian wool encased in a luxurious cotton japara cover; the Australian Wool Underblanket (queen size for $79.99), which features a luxurious pile made from 100% Australian wool; and the Wool Blended Piped Pillow ($14.99), which is made from Australian wool and covered with a cotton japara and finished with a piped edge.

Flannellet-Sheets

ALDI Special Buys go on sale every Wednesday and Saturday, giving shoppers access to a broad variety of high quality products at unbelievably low prices. ALDI will be offering an extended range of Winter Bedroom Special Buys this year, with the full range available while stocks last.

For more information.

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Appliances

Common laundry mistakes with wool & how to easily avoid them

Gone are the days when washing and caring for your wool garments was a challenging and time-consuming process. AEG can help you avoid wool care disasters with some expert advice and a few simple instructions. You’ll never have to spend days hand washing your woollies again! 

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Washing

  1. Look out for the Woolmark Apparel Care logo on washing machines and tumble dryers to know your wool will be properly cared for.
  2. Remove lipstick, make-up or shoe polish by gently rubbing with a lint-free cloth soaked in turpentine, spot cleaning spray or fluid, and rinse with mild soapy water.
  3. Always turn your garments inside out for laundering to prolong the ‘as new’ surface appearance of the garment.
  4. Use your washing machine on the wool setting if it has one, to help reduce shrinkage by gradually reducing the temperature before the rinse phase.
  5. Use a special programme, such as the AEG steam programme, to refresh your clothes, including those labelled dry clean only to remove odours and reduce creasing.

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Care

  1. Rest wool garments for 24 hours before wearing again. This gives the natural resilience and spring in the wool fibre time to recover and return to its original shape.
  2. Wool garments can be refreshed after unpacking or wearing by hanging them in a steamy bathroom. Moisture from the steam will remove wrinkles.
  3. To remove cigarette or food odours, lay wool garments flat on a bed or towel for an hour. Woven garments may be hung in fresh air or on a suitable hanger.

From wear to care and fleece to fashion, AEG, The Woolmark Company and Camilla and Marc have partnered to create a Wool Wear and Care Guide to share their insider tips and tricks of the trade. You can download it here.

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Homewares

Forestry: creating throw rugs in The Netherlands, from New Zealand wool, for Aussies!

After selling her New Zealand-based infants label, Virginia Star Busmann was ready for her next adventure, and this time it was in the form of Forestry:  traditional-style wool throw rugs with a contemporary twist.

The Circle/Grid blanket in collaboration with Milo & Mitzy

“I started Forestry after I noticed a gap in the market for quality woolen plaids that were fresh and unique in design,” explains Virginia. “We use pure new wool and traditional methods to create blankets which easily bring a fresh look to any living or bedroom space.”

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A Kiwi, Virginia and her Dutch husband spent a ten-year stint in Auckland before deciding it was only fair to give his country, The Netherlands, a go. Yet while she may be many miles away from her hometown, Virginia is far from forgetting her roots, with all her wool being sourced directly from New Zealand.

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“We manufacture in a small mill in Lithuania,” says Virginia. “They source wool from New Zealand, which is made into yarn and traditionally woven on site. Much of the work is still done by hand, which means that the blankets may have slight variations in size. Of course, that’s part of their charm!”

A truly global operation, Virginia’s blankets are also available to us in Australia via her online store. “I sell a lot to Australia,” explains Virginia. “I guess there must be something Antipodean in the aesthetic that appeals!”

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With Forestry’s second range just launched this month, it has a clean fresh look thanks to the strong whiteness of the wool and the brilliantly contrasting colours. “This range is double-faced, designed to be viewed from both sides,” explains Virginia. “This means that the colours are less blended, they appear stronger, which creates a slightly different aesthetic.”

The blankets are all designed by Virginia, who adds: “Wool is an amazing natural resource. It’s non-polluting and biodegradable. It takes less energy to produce than manmade fibres. It’s flame-retardant, breathable, durable and elastic, and it stays warm even when wet. What’s not to love?”

The Circle/Grid was designed in collaboration with New Zealand blog Milo and Mitzy.

The throw blankets can be purchased from the Forestry website.

One lucky reader will win a blanket of their choice. To be in with a chance, tell us your top tip for getting cosy this winter, using the entry form below, and which throw design and colour you’d pick. Entries close at midnight next Thursday 17 July 2014. Good luck! Open to Australian residents only.

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Homewares

Armadillo&Co’s latest rug and table top ranges

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Armadillo&Co can do no wrong in our book, with their latest collection seeing some bold new textures that are sure to warm you up in these winter months.

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Geranium

Launching next month, the collection features the Sierra Weave, a soft new wool rug, the gorgeous Geranium in Flower Weave, textured Terrain Weave entrance mats, along with the reintroduction of the round Zinnia rug and new Zinnia table top sets.

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Zinnia Table Tops

The Junior Collection also welcomes some rich new colours and patterns, with their Butterfly, Caterpillar, Bunting and Confetti designs. A combination of muted, natural backgrounds with eye-catching colours, these designs not only pop, but thanks to their earthy coloured backgrounds, forgive any dirty little paws!

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Butterfly and Daisy – Cerise Multi-Colour

All of Armadillo&Co’s products are made from natural materials that are sustainably sourced and hand crafted in India to the highest ethical Fair Trade standards.

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Interiors Addict

Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court

After dishing out style and design advice as a judge on The Block All Stars and The Block Sky High last year, Darren Palmer has collaborated with Carpet Court to create his own affordable designer flooring range, Provincial Lane.

Provincial Lane heathered loop

In a first for the interior designer, his product range will include durable and hard-wearing laminate, a European vinyl plank and bamboo hard flooring, as well as luxurious 100% wool carpet from Cavalier Bremworth and the latest generation solution dyed nylon.

Darren believes the range is both on trend, affordable and retains the beauty of natural elements. “I’ve always been fascinated with the power and beauty of nature so I love to find ways to bring nature’s colours and textures indoors,” he said.

Continue reading “Darren Palmer’s flooring range for Carpet Court”

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Interiors Addict

Heatherly launch new Australian wool bedhead

Heatherly Design Bedheads had its early days in a converted woolshed on a working farm north of Melbourne, and owner Goergie Leckey says it was always a given that they would one day do their bit in promoting wool as a finished product.

heatherly design wool bedhead

Their new Kasper bedhead is fully upholstered in a soft handled Australian wool and inspired by a more Scandinavian sensibility. “Teamed with Missoni cushions, Mark Douglass lighting and an Earl Pinto side table, oh and yes some RM boots to complete the Australian theme, we like to think we have captured a bedroom that sings  contemporary Australian style!”

Continue reading “Heatherly launch new Australian wool bedhead”
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Interiors Addict

One-of-a-kind throws, made with love (and giant knitting needles), by Little Dandelion

Her throws are beautiful, SERIOUSLY chunky and texture-full works of art. “I love a bit of sensory feedback,” says extreme knitter Jacqui Fink of Little Dandelion. “Always have.” Made from the finest, locally sourced wool and linen, these mega throws and blankets weigh up to 15 kilos and are really something else. But it is the philosophy and story behind  Jacqui’s work that I’m even more taken with, and it’s something we could all learn from.

Continue reading “One-of-a-kind throws, made with love (and giant knitting needles), by Little Dandelion”