![]() | ||
Via Bodie and Fou |
Camping with a Tee Pee
Rouse Phillips Design - Made in Sydney
![]() |
Meet Sydney textile design duo Timothy Rouse and Anastasia Phillips from Rouse Phillips |
![]() |
This is a small selection of samples by Rouse Phillips found in their Sydney studio. Photos via Hub* |
![]() |
*sneezing with excitement* Watch this space - colour samples for hand knotted rugs in wool and silk - exclusive to Rouse Phillips Textiles. You can see them being made in Nepal on their blog |
![]() |
Find Rouse Phillips Textile at Suite 7, 66 Oxford Street, Darlinghurst, New South Wales, Australia 2010 |
OK drum roll... Meet six month old textile brand Rouse Phillips. Tim [Rouse] and Anastasia [Phillips] saw a gap in the Australian interior textile market for fun and eclectic fabrics. Other than very typically Australian design or high end European fabrics there was nothing that they felt really did anything different. The first vibrant collection is a mix of art-deco, floral, and illustrative design. I love what they are producing and I predict we are going to be seeing their designs popping up everywhere soon. It's exciting to see youthful brands full of energy. They are already planning to expand into homewares and rugs. You can read more about them here. To see more of their wonderful designs go here.
Why am I doing Made in Sydney?
EVERYONE (locally and internationally) it's time to support Australian Design.
If you know who to go too Australian design isn't overpriced or
inspired copies. There is a young generation who are seeing a gap in
the middle market, who are trying to manufacture locally, and are
finding inspiration and natural materials from this wonderful country
which has over 40,000 years of history to work with.Since being back in Australia I'm shocked in the lack of support for local design talent by major retailers. It's been a huge contrast to the UK. When I first checked out major department stores Myer and David Jones I couldn't find obvious Australian interior design product. I contacted the heads of both stores telling them they NEED to support local designers how they do with fashion. Yes, I did find Donna Hay's Wedgewood collection, Kas textiles and Sheridan but surely they should offer shoppers something way more substantial? Where is Henry Wilson, Trent Jansen, Charles Wilson, Bonnie and Niel products in those stores?
I suggested them to adopt the business model of Heals and John Lewis supporting local young designers in store and in the press. I also suggested an essential range which is good design at low prices. It isn't acceptable retailer to sell average, made in China, dessert bowls at $25 each. One of the biggest challenges young designers face is cost. They work very hard to make their product affordable for us to buy. If they had support from major retailers they would be given buying power in materials and labour to help their prices go down and exposure to hopefully become household names. I would love other stores including, Bunnings, Domayne, Harvey Norman, Freedom Furniture, Target to actively support young talent in Australia.
I live in Sydney and on a daily basis I'm coming across new talent. In a small radius there is an incredible amount of passionate people tapping away actively trying to help us live in environments we are proud of. This is my chance to share this with you and hopefully get the world buzzing about what is happening in my hood. I would love someone to commission (challenge) me so I can prove to you it is possible to fit out an apartment with beautiful locally made product for about the same price as a high street store such as Australian IKEA or Freedom Furniture.
If you want to see young Australian design talent supported by major Australian retail then please go to their twitter or Facebook page and write.
"Please bring together the work of the best up-&-coming Australian furniture & homeware designers in an exclusive collection. I would like to nominate (name of designer)". #MadeInSydney
David Jones Link | Myer Link | Freedom Furniture Link | Domayne Link | Target Link
If you can't wait on me you can find a great source of Australian design talent on must read blog The Design Files.
Serpant Sea's Nautical rope rugs by Sophie Aschauer
![]() |
This is Sophie Aschauer from Serpent Sea at home. Photograph Backyard Bill |
Ahoy, SnOOper's I'm so into this! I would like you to meet Sophie Aschauer from Serpent Sea. Docked in New York she is hand weaving vibrant rugs from reclaimed sailing ropes out of her studio apartment. She has named the mats after 17th century pirates such as "Bonny", "Morgan", and "Killigrew". Please check out what Sophie has to offer at, Serpent Sea, and bring the nautical vibe into your home.
Thomas Paul - Nautical Homeware
![]() |
Luxurious 600 thread count Ship Duvet Cover by Thomas Paul |
![]() |
Ship Shower curtain in ink by Thomas Paul |
Make sure you check out his website because there is a whole world of lovely on it.
Don't Worry Now Be Happy
I'm letting you into a secret. I'm trying to get my second book deal. This is a risk in sharing this secret but I may as well start the words here... a place that has brought me a lot of joy... a place that led me onto the path for my first book deal. The book is called HAPPY. I'm on a quest to search and walk on the path again asking myself do I need to RETHINK what this word, HAPPY, means to me and those around the world? I'm asking how can the definition be translated into our homes so we can create personal and public environments that can positively shift our moods and wellbeing? OK no puking allowed and please don't feel like you need to punch me because I'm trying to be all positive like. Stick with me.
I had a mega light bulb moment when I finished my book 'RETHINK: The Way You Live' - after meeting all the amazing and inspiring people I interviewed in the book I realised we may take different paths but it is for one purpose ---- so we can find happiness --- so we can be happy.
![]() |
Source via here |
The current times have been serious and many of us have done and are doing it tough. Design over the last few years, has been modest, paired back, sustainable and the rediscovery of the artisan. My book ‘RETHINK: The Way You Live’ is filled with what I’m describing. (have you pr-ordered a copy yet? :-)))
![]() |
My job is to always look ahead and dig deeper and follow the mind set of how we are doing and keeping an eye on what we want. My aim is to keep us developing spaces and product that are relevant to us.
![]() |
‘Macarena Social – CyberCentre’ by Spanish architects MedioMundo |
![]() |
Photo by Carina Hsu |
![]() |
Source via Here |
You get it when you win a race and lose it when you get laid off. Governments put it in their policies, preachers in their sermons, writers at the end of their stories. Scientists say they’ve found it on the left side of the brain. Pursuing it, Americans spend US$20 billion a year on self-help and
antidepressants. But wealth isn’t working: people in the West are twice as rich as they were sixty years ago, depression will be the biggest health burden in the world. Joy, euphoria,
satisfaction, tranquillity, triumph. It comes in many forms.
So for now my fellow SnOOper's keep coming back to visit and follow my findings on HAPPY. Perhaps, just perhaps architects and designer when approaching their next project will ask the same questions I will be exploring and produce holistic buildings that will bring those who occupy it with joy.
So for now my fellow SnOOper's keep coming back to visit and follow my findings on HAPPY. Perhaps, just perhaps architects and designer when approaching their next project will ask the same questions I will be exploring and produce holistic buildings that will bring those who occupy it with joy.
![]() |
Glanthel Park, Glasgow by Lisa McCartney |
"When you worry you make it double... Don't worry - Be Happy Now!" - Brian McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy.
![]() |
Happy pillow by Lala Ladcani |
"When you worry your face will frown and that will bring everyone down"- Brian McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy.
![]() |
Storm Watching By Dell Stewart |
Who else is sharing tips on happiness this week?
Letter To Our World - New online sensation where people are sharing their definition of happiness
Apartment Therapy - Very basic, not too deep - 10 simple things to make you happier at home
Mia Freedman - A happy place can be revealing but one's happy place is another person's hell
Red magazine - 'My Daily Dose of Happiness' The May issue shared from some famous UK ladies how it is the little things that count.
3 Ideas For Drinking Tea
![]() |
Unpacking for a shoot and checking out Bleus d'Ailleurs and Les Maisons Enchantées by Hermes. Photo & styling SnOOp |
My Maxwell & Williams Confetti latte cups in my sink with a Lee Broom glass. Photo and Styling SnOOp |
This picture doesn't go with the style I have gone with for this story but I love it and there is no rules on SnOOp. Moonlight by Royal Doulton. Photo SnOOp |
2. Wrapping your hands around a chunky cup can be really comforting
3. Really good quality fine bone china will retain the heat longer
I love drinking tea and coffee. It's my weakness - it's my morning vice.
One thing became really clear to me on my travels last year for my book Rethink - The Way You Live is all the homeowners who I visited across the globe gave me a cup of coffee or tea with no handles. Truth be told I prefer a cup with no handles. There is something very comforting to wrap my hands around a warm brew.
This trend I believe has come from our wonderful takeaway coffees. Perhaps a psychological link between the coffee we buy from our local cafe to when we have it home. It just feels right.
Removable wall decal by Wall Sticker Company has stirred up a whole lot of emotions
![]() |
Grace Lee Kitchen removable wall decal by The Wall Sticker Company |
Abandoned workshop on Cockatoo Island, Sydney Photo by SnOOp |
I'm a person who needs my life to be uncomplicated. I like order. I hate confrontation and drama. I'm creative so of course things can get chaotic but I'm a massive believer in everything should have a place. Something I'm always preaching to my other half. He rarely listens but I preach away - He prefers to call it nagging.
I think the obsession came from my granddad. I would spend hours with him as a young girl in his shed helping him (well I thought I was helping) make wonderful objects from wood. He was always military-like in ordering me to put away tools where I had found them. One of my favourite projects we worked on together was transforming one of my old banged up surfboards into a freestanding bookshelf. My fiberglass orange surfboard with reclaimed timber shelves was more precious to me than what a Tiffany's jewel is to me today. It had pride of place in my teenage bedroom.
In my grandads shed he had a wall with shadow drawings of his prized and somewhat expensive tools so we knew where to put them at the end of the evening. I found a wonderful example of this in an abandoned shed a few weeks ago. It brings so many wonderful memories back to me. This was a time for me when my life was simple. I didn't have to worry about bills, work, clients and deadlines. It was just about making beautiful things and spending quality time with my favourite man in the world.
I am rambling this week :-)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)