Local Makers – Bespoke Bags and Sustainable Design With Kim from Oxlade & Heart
It’s no secret that we are a fan of local maker Oxlade & Heart and the wonderful work they’re creating! Founder Kim Regan is a close friend and inspirational local maker with who we have had the pleasure of collaborating on a number of pieces. However, Oxlade & Heart's range extends far beyond our collaborations and is a wonderful local brand focusing on bespoke items with a zero-waste initiative! How great is that? I wanted to know more about the brand, its humble beginnings, and what the future looks like. Kim Regan happily sat down for a chat about what Oxlade & Heart means to her. Hi there! Who is the creative behind Oxlade & Heart? I'm Kim Regan. I grew up in a creative family; my mother was a potter and my dad was always making or building something. So making was my norm. There was always an emphasis on creative freedom, if you had an idea you made it. At school, my first job was in a beautiful textile store. After school, I studied Interior Design in Brisbane and then traveled the world as a textiles wholesaler. In 2001 I was working in Chelsea Harbour in London within the interior design industry. Chelsea Harbour is the textile hub for textile suppliers from around the globe. The handbag inspiration came from all the beautiful textiles from around the globe. I feel so many of these beautiful textiles weren't able to be appreciated by
An Easy Guide To Classic House Plants
House plants. One of our favorite go-tos for brightening up a living space and adding a breath of fresh air. No matter which space you‘re in, a plant or two can dramatically liven up the place and help it feel alive. House plants can be a wonderful tool in your decorating kit and have many positive benefits for the space around you! I know, I know. Sometimes it can feel like a commitment. Maybe you feel a little worried about the caring role for the plant. Luckily for you, we have the solution. I have compiled a list of my favorite go-to house plants to help liven up your living space, and bring a smile to your dial! First Things First Though, Why House Plants? Air Quality Did you know that house plants can have a positive effect on the quality of the air? It‘s true! It‘s inevitable that when we live or work in a busy place, we are going to be inhaling a lot of pollution. Couple this with all the carbon dioxide that we inhale from those around us and it‘s safe to say that we aren‘t getting the fresh, clean, outside air our bodies desire. Now I‘m not saying that house plants will solve all your breathing problems, but they will at least provide you with some healthy, happy air. By absorbing the carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the plants then filter it through their microorganisms and give it back to
Our Go-To List of Ethical Wool Brands to Get Cosy at Home With
Winter is soon upon us! I don't know about you guys but even here in Brisbane we are feeling the chill and the need for some ethical wool! Couple that with the sudden need to stay inside and remake our routines. Well it looks like comfortable clothing is on the menu! And what can be cosier than some comforting wool to wrap around you. Even better though, is the option of comforting AND ethical wool. At Bowerbird we have a focus on sustainable practices, and consciously choose our materials to work with. We offer natural fibres for our clothing, vegan alternative handbags and leather pieces that utilise offcuts. We are not perfect. But we try to do our very best. To read more about what we do, check it out on our blog post about sustainability. Wool itself can be a controversial material. Couple that with companies greenwashing and you might find it incredibly difficult to navigate the brands. We believe in quality over quantity and support high quality garments with a slow-fashion mentality. After all, leather shoes you buy to last a lifetime are certainly more sustainable than 20 pairs of synthetic, trendy ones. But what does it mean to be ethical wool? Photo Credit: Jeff Whitlock, Pinterest What makes it ethical wool? I'm not going to beat around the bush here. Wool is a tricky one when produced large scale. But there are some incredibly sustainable and long lasting features of it
Freshen up Your Living Space – Simple Tips and Tricks to Bring New Life Into Your Home
Nowadays we seem to be spending a lot more time at home, taking in our living space. For most, the living space is a place where you can unwind and be yourself. A place where you can surround yourself with things that make you happy, and express your personality. However, it also may be a place that you haven't had much time to refresh and update. Somewhere that has fallen by the wayside as other commitments have taken priority. With all this time at home the living space is the new office, social event and personal area. Maybe you are starting to realise your living space is in dire need of an update, and you feel the sudden urge to rejuvenate and bring new life into it. Redoing your living space doesn't mean a brand new renovation. It doesn't even mean throwing out the old and bringing in the new. Here at Bowerbird, we place emphasis on using what you have around you before buying brand new. We've put together a list to help guide you through our simple tips and tricks to bring new life into a tired space. With steps varying from simple refreshers to dramatic overhauls. Before you start though we recommend considering this
Local Makers – From Paintings to Fabric with Bowerbird’s Ellie
At Bowerbird we value making with integrity and the work of local makers. So, the majority of our products are made in-house or sourced locally. Each piece therefore has a story worth telling and has inspired us to share them here with you. Bowerbird Collections is a product of the dynamic duo Peta and Ellie Sweatman. Both are creative souls in their own unique way. Pop into the store and you will see the walls covered with artwork by Ellie, some of which, you might be able to spot as the foundation of our signature fabrics.Today we'll peek into the life and process of Bowerbird's own Ellie Sweatman. Questions with Local Maker Ellie Sweatman Ellie Sweatman, a Brisbane-based painter, decided to turn her artwork into fabrics one day when she realised the potential of her paintings. Every fabric that has come from Ellie's artwork tells a unique story in its creation and we thought it was about time we sat down with her to discuss her practice! Hey Ellie! First off as the co-owner and a key fabric designer at Bowerbird Collections, I'd like to ask you how you describe the aesthetic of the company
Debunking the Pattern Clashing Myth! See How the Gals at Bowerbirds Mix and Match Patterns.
When did we become so afraid of pattern clashing? No matter what style is yours, it's undeniable that everyone has their own soft spot for a particular pattern or print. Whether it's gingham or plaid, vibrant floral or the classic animal print, there is no easier way to liven up your wardrobe or living space. But somewhere along the way someone decided that patterns don't go together. That "it's safest to pair your bold pattern with a safe neutral for ease on the eyes". Here at Bowerbird we aren't interested in playing it safe and pattern clashing for us is the best way to stand out from a crowd. Let your home or outfit express your personality with a bold and dynamic statement! I don't know about you guys but I choose to embrace the endless possibilities of mixing and matching patterns. Still unsure? Start with the basics and follow some of my super simple steps to help you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the bold (and bright) unknown! Choose Your Colour Palette First and foremost is the fun bit - defining your colour palette. If you choose a warm and rosy palette, this doesn't necessarily mean that all of your patterns can only be red, pink or orange. But it does mean that you get to set down the foundation for the general colour scheme you want. Colours speak to us and influence our mood. So, keep that in mind and
Debunking the Pattern Clashing Myth! See How the Gals at Bowerbirds Mix and Match Patterns.
When did we become so afraid of pattern clashing? No matter what style is yours, it's undeniable that everyone has their own soft spot for a particular pattern or print. Whether it's gingham or plaid, vibrant floral or the classic animal print, there is no easier way to liven up your wardrobe or living space. But somewhere along the way someone decided that patterns don't go together. That "it's safest to pair your bold pattern with a safe neutral for ease on the eyes". Here at Bowerbird we aren't interested in playing it safe and pattern clashing for us is the best way to stand out from a crowd. Let your home or outfit express your personality with a bold and dynamic statement! I don't know about you guys but I choose to embrace the endless possibilities of mixing and matching patterns. Still unsure? Start with the basics and follow some of my super simple steps to help you step out of your comfort zone and embrace the bold (and bright) unknown! Choose Your Colour Palette First and foremost is the fun bit - defining your colour palette. If you choose a warm and rosy palette, this doesn't necessarily mean that all of your patterns can only be red, pink or orange. But it does mean that you get to set down the foundation for the general colour scheme you want. Colours speak to us and influence our mood. So, keep that in mind and