Winkelen homewares magazine issue 2 Winkelen October 2014 | Page 17

< continued from previous page What do you love the most about having your own store? Definitely being your own boss and doing what you love! We are part of the lucky few that get to wake up every morning and be excited to go to work. We have also met some incredibly talented people through our journey and it is such a privilege to work with or bounce ideas off them. We also love communicating with our customers and being allowed into their home to help them create their special area. Curating a product range that is different to the offerings of most retailers is certainly satisfying when a customer breathes a sigh of relief for some uniqueness and distinction. Who are some of your favourite designers? In general, we admire a lot of iconic designers and design houses such as Arne Jacobsen, Charles and Ray Eames, Marimekko, Phillipe Starck, Le Corbusier, Mies Van Der Rohe and from our own store we are loving One & Many, Martin Jakobsen Design, Copenhanger and Kate & Kate blankets. What do you consider to be a must have item in your home? What a difficult question! It is definitely hard to pick just one! We feel that investing in quality pieces of furniture e.g. your couch, dining table and bed is something to really consider and then you can add your own style by using soft furnishings such as throws, lighting, cushions and dinnerware. It is the easiest way to change up your home without spending too much every season. Perhaps not any 1 or 2 must have items, but rather a few bolder, more striking pieces, that help anchor the peripheral items in the home. What has been your biggest highlight? The whole thing! It has been a crazy ride that we definitely couldn’t have done without one anothe r. We made some amazing friends and mentors along the way, become close with our suppliers and had features in magazines, blogs and on the tv show The Block. We really couldn’t ask for anymore. Waking up and doing something you love everyday is the biggest highlight of all. Do you have any advice for our readers who love all things for the home? PICTURES: COPYRIGHT RESIDENT GP P H O T O G R A P H Y: B R O O K E H O L M S T Y L I S T: M A R S H A G O L E M A C Don’t copy all trends to the “T” try to make it your own style. Make sure to invest in good quality pieces that will last you your lifetime. Try not to buy something just because it is cheap, as it will eventually just end up in landfill. Do loads of research by reading blogs and magazines – even create a mood board of all of your favourite items and looks, it will allow your style to shine through. Make sure to buy better, not more and make every piece in your home special. What do you foresee as the next big trend? Subtle, muted colours like sage green, blush pinks and soft yellows mixed with monochrome. Watch out for grids and stronger geometric shapes.w CONTACT: www.residentgp.com.au