New year, new ottoman. After analysing our past failures we’ve discovered that reinvention begins at home, and that can mean only one thing; homewares shopping.
Cue montage of us galumphing through Brisbane’s best homewares boutiques in search of a coffee table that reminds us just slightly of the one Don Draper had in his office in season 6 of Mad Men. Shopping for homewares is some of the best fun you can have without strobe lights, and with Brisbane’s selection of functional eye candy it’s like visiting museums with exhibits you’re allowed to sit on.
St Barts
Fortitude Valley
Born from a love of the Caribbean with an intention to unearth a sense of that wanderlust feeling from your own home, St. Barts is an idyllic and inspiring place full of carefully collected pieces from travels around this glorious globe. An abundance of natural wood and a palette of neutral hues, it’s paramount the product mix is perfect for the luxe lifestyle connoisseurs. Large copper urns, shell-detailed baskets, and oriental hand-painted vases are just some of the beautiful offerings which all range from $40 to pretty much your entire fortnightly paycheck.
Living Edge
Fortitude Valley
Ever dreamed of taking up residence in an art gallery but can’t jam with the no food rule? Living Edge might be just your kind of homewares emporium. Their items are so gosh darn good looking it’s almost rude to stare and well worth the investment to boost your décor and impress your in-laws.
Space
Fortitude Valley
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With its host of designer furniture brands, Space is basically the Net-a-Porter of homewares. Well known as the pinnacle of fresh/edgy/cool home accoutrements, just kit yourself out with a luxe couch and a dazzling light feature for the same allure and intrigue of a stately society fox without the burden of having to date an internet entrepreneur.
Spiro
New Farm
Anna Spiro, the woman behind the Hellenic patterns at Halcyon House, knows her way around a print. Her collection of vibrant textiles and wallpapers is everything you never knew you needed to give your dwelling that extra zap of hipness, check it out at Spiro and wave a firm goodbye to monochrome.
Jardan
Fortitude Valley
With its sky-blue paint exterior and gold signage, Jardan is not a store that blends in and gets lost among James Street’s sea of retail window fronts. Its flooded with natural light and warm tones and its two-storey interior provides a serene backdrop for their mid-century modern sofas, stools, tables and chairs. Taking inspiration from the relaxed, Australian way of life, Jardan’s aesthetic and furniture will appease to everyone and anyone. We guarantee you’ll find some rare gems here.
Replica Furniture
Newstead
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You probably can’t afford real Philippe Starck and that’s okay. Replica Furniture has made it okay. After many hours coveting lamps online with gleaming eyes and paltry funds, the dream of switching off your own handgun table lamp has become real with a trip to this house of homage.
Coco Republic
Fortitude Valley
When even the brand name breathes effortless luxury, you know you’re in good hands. Coco Republic is well known for its chic-yet-discreet flavour of furniture and homewares, electing to gently intrigue rather than overwhelm. The well-kitted showroom on Wickham Street offers everything for your house, apartment, or even office pod (hey, gotta impress the coworkers somehow).
West Elm
Fortitude Valley
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As a member of the Pottery Barn family, the Brooklyn-born West Elm champions modern, sustainable living. In their Valley showroom–connected to the Pottery Barn space–you’ll stumble upon mid-century pieces and collabs from local and international artists. And, with a commitment to fair trade, that new lounge will have you feeling as fab as it looks.
Rewind
Shorncliffe
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It’s just a jump to the left and a step up to Shorncliffe to do the time warp at Rewind. The store’s owner, Colette, has curated an impressive time capsule of restored vintage pieces from the 50s to 70s (sans hair perming and go-go pants, thank god). Whether you’re hunting for a classic timber record cabinet or looking to make a statement with bright-AF tub chairs, Rewind’s collection is literally decades away from ordinary, cookie-cutter furniture.
Trit House
Fortitude Valley
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After drinking in design inspirations from around the globe, Trit House brought their ideas home and fused it with Aussie flavours. You won’t find their snazzy range of contemporary homewares anywhere else, so it’s well worth a trip to the showroom. With everything from bedroom pieces to full workspace outfits, you’ll have free reign to zhush up the whole home, inside and out.
Cosh Living
Fortitude Valley
The fact that Cosh Living furnishes big-name resorts should give you a clue to the lavish-but-laidback vibes here. While these outdoor furniture specialists have since expanded indoors–and yes, we’re aware of the oxymoron–their true strength lies by the pool, patio, and pergola. In your quest, you’ll find pieces from leading Euro brands like Tribu, Dedon, and Potocco, as well as Cosh’s own label, Kett.
MCM House
Fortitude Valley
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Sofa, so good. Grab a bowl of grapes and enter your lazy lounging era with MCM House’s collection of chic, Aussie-designed sofas. These local legends ground their minimalistic style in the natural elements of wood, linen, steel and glass, so you’ll spy contemporary pieces such as stone-top coffee tables and solid oak chairs.
Lounge Lovers
Fortitude Valley
After coming to life in the digital world, Lounge Lovers has since exploded into locations around Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and the GC. On Wickham Street, you’ll find an array of over 500 classic and modern pieces. Lounge Lovers prides itself on eye-catching pieces without the eye-widening price tags, so go for gold; despite the name, you’ll also find a gorgeous range of coffee and dining tables, bedroom sets, buffets, sideboard, and more.
Cotswold InOut Furniture
Fortitude Valley
Cotswold have been leaders in the furniture industry since the '80s, so it's no wonder they are our go-to for hard-to-find, stylish pieces. Cotswold's range of furniture suits any home or lifestyle, from apartments to the largest estate, housing brands like Fermob, Vincent Sheppard and Cotswold Teak. Think woven loom and fun french metal, as well as stunning teak items. With a gorgeous showroom, Cotswold is not just for the homemaker—they can also furnish commercial properties and restaurants.
The Modern
Toowong
If you’re looking to channel the style of the Scandinavians in your humble abode, you’ll discover some serious inspo at The Modern Furniture Store. Nestled in the hub of contemporary interior design shops around James Street, The Modern features quality pieces of European oak and elm desks, sofas, dining and modern coffee tables. You’ll be hit with instant interior inspo to meld your home with a clean, functional look.
Cultivate Design Co
Wynnum
This gorgeous store is changing the decorating and lifestyle scene of Brisbane’s bayside with handcrafted homewares, unique furnishings and beautiful botanicals. Prepare to get lost in your decorative imagination as you browse stylish homewares such as ceramic vases, hourglasses and local artworks. The space is light, open and extremely homey. If you’ve been on the search for decor inspo, Cultivate Design Co. has the perfect items to leave your guests’ mouths wide open.
Need to add some greenery to your living room? Find Brisbane's best plant shops here.
Image credit: Amy Higg