Textile Design | Billy Heckenberg

Here at Gallop Lifestyle we are always on the look out for new creative businesses to profile. Today we talk to Maddy Duggan, the owner and designer of newly launched textile brand Billy Heckenberg.

GL: Can you tell me a little about your background and why you decided to start your own business?

Maddy: I have always been creative and grew up in an artistic household on Sydneys' northern beaches. An obsession with art, design and photography through out my life led me to complete a degree of Fine Arts at UNSW College of Fine Arts. From that point on you could be sure to find me sitting at a sewing machine or with a paint brush in hand, a constant quest for creative fulfilment. So naturally the next step was to put my business hat on and build a brand, at which point Billy Heckenberg was born.

GL: What is the ethos behind Billy Heckenberg?

Maddy: Billy Heckenberg is a direct reflection of my creative side, a little over the top, a slight nod to the classics and a constant strive for perfect imperfection. Unafraid to mix prints and textures, building up layers and finding the right balance plays a huge part in the creative process.

GL: Where do you find inspiration for your designs?

Maddy: A constant source of inspiration would have to be my obsession with New York City. Such a complex and contrasting environment, it truly does have it all. An architectural and industrial landscape that surrounds one of the worlds most beautiful parks is one of the many reasons I love this city so much. 

When designing my pieces I like to take something quite classic or traditional and mix this with something unexpected such as a metallic zipper down the middle, or using textas and not filling in all the gaps. Seeing beauty in life's imperfections is an ongoing source of inspiration for me.

GL: What trends do you see coming through in soft furnishings?

Maddy: The main trend I see coming through is a desire to find truly unique, one of a kind and limited edition pieces to bring a point of difference to people's homes. Styling has never been so important and I think people love to play the role of stylist, not just consumer, when it comes to their own homes. The great thing about design at the moment is that you can mix so many trends, create layers and achieve an incredible living space no matter what you have to work with.

GL: What would you like to achieve with your business over the next 12 months?

Maddy: Over the next 12 months I would love to see the business expand into custom pieces for individual clients. I have alway wanted to reupholster and up-cycle furniture, the very idea of creating something new from something old has been a dream of mine for quite some time. 

Having a huge passion and love of leather, I also hope to release a small range of leather accessories within the year.

For more, visit the Billy Heckenberg online store here.

This week I'm loving.... The Family Love Tree

Oh I love these guys. The Family Love Tree isn't new on the Australian homewares scene, they launched with gusto and have been a strong favourite of interior magazines and blogs over the last couple of years. I ordered one of their children's side tables for my little miss, but since then they have expanded their range, none of which disappoint.

As hard as it is to pick my favourites, here we go...

Images: The Family Love Tree, by photographer Derek Swalwell | Rattan glass top table in jade, $295 | Glass top coffee table in lemon, $275 | Kantha quilt happy days $290 | Rattan slouch couch in black, $895 | Beach house kilim rug, $900

For more Family Love Tree love, click here.

Annie x

Custom Design with My Bespoke Chair

Over the last few years social media has allowed me to discover and 'meet' some wonderfully creative people. One of my regular online conversations is with the lovely Emma from My Bespoke Chair. 

Originally a fashion and textile designer from Europe, Emma moved to Australia with her family in 2010 and quickly set up her own business.

An offshoot of Bespoke Art, My Bespoke Chair allows customers to completely customise a piece of furniture to suit their decor. They can choose and click on a chair style, scroll through a large collection of fabrics, and select any combination of fabrics, finishes and trimmings using their mouse. The 360 degree spin option on the website allows customers to view their chair from 8 angles.

Price wise they sit between mass produced upholstered chairs and the more up market interior stores like Coco Republic. Basically their objective is to offer a premium, handmade product at a reasonable price.

Many of the fabrics they offer are original designs by My Bespoke Chair, but they also have access to the big fabric brands like Warwick and Unique.

Gift vouchers are available, something a little different for a wedding or baby shower present perhaps? 

For more information check out their website here.

Annie

Click to Shop | Jumbled Online

Guest post from Holly Cardew, founder of online market place Country & Co. Holly will post each month about her passion for creative businesses and people.

I have a real passion for helping businesses in regional Australia sell online, and grow their presence through social media. One business that I have seen grow from strength to strength is Jumbled in Orange, NSW.  Jumbled is full of all bright and colourful homewares. I want to introduce you (virtually) to Pip Brett, the owner and vision behind the brand. 

GL: When did you come up with the concept of the Jumbled store and when did you open?



Pip: I was pregnant and, as you do you sometimes, I made a radical decision. I was walking to the post office when I saw a shop front for lease, right in the perfect location. I already had a clothing store called Iglou, which I opened back in 2006, but had always dreamt of opening a homewares store. I felt the stars had aligned and so I jumped on the idea and I have never looked back. I took up the lease not yet knowing what I was going to sell but knew it would be a collection of all of the things that I love.

And so Jumbled was born - an eclectic mix of all things gorgeous and wonderful for the home. 

I opened the doors of Jumbled in September 2011 and launched the Jumbled online store in December 2012.

GL: I love what you have done and admire all the bold bright colours. Where does all the inspiration come from?



Pip: I have truly just picked only items that I would love to have in my own home. I just can't help it, I love colour, and I am drawn to it every time. It excites me and makes me happy. I do think that what you love is in your DNA somehow. My mother is a "lover of colour" and calls herself  "a failed minimalist". Her love for fashion, colour and design has totally rubbed off on me. 



I also find travel to be a huge source of inspiration. I have a trip planned to Paris in a few weeks and I can't wait to come back full of fresh and exciting ideas.



Blogs, Pinterest and magazines are my never-ending source of ideas. I am always amazed by how clever some people are. I could look for hours and hours. 

GL: What is your favourite home interior trend at the moment?



Pip: I love that there is a trend towards interiors with personality. You look at an image of a home on a blog or in a magazine and you can feel the personality of the owner with out having to even read the text. It is about layering, mixing not matching things that have meaning to you. I believe that a less staged look in your home is the way forward.

GL: Is there a must thing you should have in your home? 



Pip: I am in the process on renovating my home, a small miners cottage in the CBD of Orange, so I have been writing my own must have list.

• 

Green beaded chandelier - It was love at first site but I am still working out where to put it. Maybe in the kitchen, living room or bathroom?

• Rugs galore -  They anchor a room, add texture and comfort, plus they can be a design statement. Dash and Albert have the best range!

• Kip and Co bedding for some fun!

• I have my eye on the orange couch in store, in combination with the new vintage kantha pouffes.

• Art - I just recently got a huge Spacecraft artwork but would love a zebra print from the clever girls at Penny Farthing Design House and another abstract by my Mum, Kezz Brett, which I can use as a bedhead.

• …And, if I get my way, a bath tub outside with one of Jumbled's birdcage chandeliers hanging above... Heaven!

GL: What are your top 3 decorating tips?



Pip: Surround yourself with the things that you love and that have meaning to you.... And hey presto, you will achieve an interesting interior that will tell your story and that will welcome you every time you open your front door. 



I don't think that you can ever overdo texture, colour or pattern. I know many people would disagree with me. Be brave and give it a go. 

Treat each room as it's one special place with it's own story and emotion. Each room does not have to match the other! 



If decorating seems like an overwhelming task pick one item that you really love like a beautiful rug, large abstract paining or something as simple as a single cushion and you will be amazed by the way that everything else falls into place once you have something tangible to work with. 

GL: I can see Jumbled is growing every day. What are the plans for the near future?



Pip: I get so excited by the way that people have embraced Jumbled. I would like to continue the hunt for new and wonderful products that are not seen anywhere else. Promote and support small and up-and coming artists and designers, and build up our brand awareness so that Jumbled becomes the go-to-store for people who love happy interiors and something a bit different. 

We have also launched our Jumbled Wedding Registry which allows couples to pick and choose something that is different, not just silverware and dinner sets! 

We hope to make the online experience as special as that experienced in store... if not better! 

See more at the Jumbled Online Store.

This week I'm loving... Timbermill Designs

I always love a design business that has reclaimed and recycled materials at it's heart. This week I was excited to see the launch of a new website for Timbermill Designs - selling recycled furniture and homewares online.

Founded by Tom Coles, from the NSW country town of Cooma, the website offers ready made pieces as well as a custom design service if you are after something specific. 

In addition to being able to buy one of their handcrafted wares, Timbermill offers a rental service - perfect for styling weddings, parties, anything really… love it! Rental products include trestle tables, outdoor bars, benches, stools and boxes.

You can see more at their new website - timbermill.com.au.

Annie x

Mother's Day Gift Ideas | Just Pretty

Sometimes it is nice to give a gift which is chosen just because it is ever so pretty. It may be practical, it may not be… It is likely to be something we probably wouldn't buy for ourselves, but often which we had.

Here are our top 5 Mother's Day gifts chosen just because we think they are beautiful.

Yellow Fade Vessel, $51 from Girl & Graaf.

Limited edition silk satin sarong / scarf by Erin Petson, $195.

Handmade wired lace bowls, $145 each from Safari Fusion.

Stamped porcelain bottles / vases, priced from $27 each by Revisions Design Studio.

Coconut Milk Potted Candle, $30 from Nina Maya.

Annie x

Making a Statement with Feature Lighting - Kitsch or Glamour, which would you choose?

Guest post from Holly Cardew, founder of online market place Country & Co. Holly will post each month about her passion for creative businesses, products and people.

I have been looking at a feature piece for my place and thought a fantastic light would be just the thing to make a statement.

After reading decorating tips from Abigail Ahern and many interior magazines, I have started looking at either a cute and kitsch feature lamp, or glamourous & dramatic chandelier. 

Images of chandeliers via Abigail Ahern, for more inspiration click here.

Image Adore Magazine, click here for more from their February issue.

Top to bottom:

• Black Beaded Chandelier from Jumbled, $1099 - click here.
• Wire Chandelier from Fenton & Fenton, $1500 - click here.
• Cockatoo Lamp by Ada & Darcy, $299 - click here.

Which would you choose?

Holly x