6 local homewares brands to shop during lockdown
WORDS BY CHRISTINA KARRAS
Spruce up your space.
Over the last few months of lockdown in Victoria, I’ve developed a real affinity for homewares. My Instagram feed is bursting at the seams with decor content – influencers are posting the same Wassily chair on their feeds and the Murano mushroom lamp now lives rent-free in my brain forever.
But who can blame me? We are weeks deep into stage four restrictions and staring at the same walls for hours on end was bound to get old. As we spend more time at home than ever before, many of us have reevaluated the relationship we have with our stuff and our spaces – from realising we need to declutter to wishing we had more interesting things to look at.
If you’ve already tried moving the furniture around and DIY projects aren’t really your style, I’ve compiled a list of my six favourite local homewares brands to help you reinvigorate your space.
Jolie Laide
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Run by Melbourne sisters Emma and Lou Smith, the pair have made a name for themselves thanks to their penchant for ‘beautiful ugly’ homewares. With an eye for vibrant designs, their online boutique boasts a line up of international and locally made creations, and recently earnt a shout-out from Flex Mami in Architectural Digest. From the sold-out, Instagram-famous Lex Pott Twist Candles to sheepskin checkerboard rugs imported from Iran, Jolie Laide is your go-to for all things weird and wonderful.
En Gold
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If you love the elegance and natural beauty of marble, look no further than En Gold. Founded two years ago by husband and wife duo Steffanie and Matt Ball, the brand is known for its timeless designs that hero coveted natural stones like onyx, marble and limestone. Aside from creating its own range of tables and furniture, the brand also stocks a curated selection of art in its online store.
Poly Designs
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Producing handmade furniture on a made-to-order basis, Poly Designs proves sometimes simple designs can be the most fun, using tiles to create cube-shaped furniture and coffee tables. Featuring two-tone colourways like baby blue and white or black, the brand’s cubes are an ideal bedside addition. Equal parts useful and aesthetic, they come in a custom range of sizes to hold all the knick-knacks your heart desires.
Neighbourhood Studio
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Made by self-taught artist Lucas Wearne from his Northcote home studio, you may have seen his romantic limestone sculptures or wavy Picasso lamps floating around Instagram. And it’s easy to see why – there’s something very calming about his collection of shapely vases and geometric figures in their warm natural tones. Inspired by works of Cubism and Greek Classicism, Neighbourhood Studio’s functional art brings something special to any room.
Blazed Wax
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Hand-poured in Melbourne, Blazed Wax makes colourful, sculpture-like candles that would serve as a welcome addition to any shelf, as well as classic candlesticks. Indulging in candle-lit dinners for no occasion at all has become one of my favourite things to do during lockdown, and the rainbow of options from Blazed Wax is enough to brighten anyone’s mood. Take your pick from a selection of shapes and featured colours like Barbie Dreams, Blue Heaven or Tequila Sunrise.
Curated Spaces
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Curated Spaces has a reputation for sourcing some of the best vintage gems in the Australian design scene. Its selection of second-hand furniture and homewares range from retro glass coffee tables, art deco lamps, lush Italian lounges and so much more. It’s like Facebook Marketplace but without having to rifle through the rubbish and the awkward meet-ups because a clever team of vintage hunters has done the hard yards for you.
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