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11 Curated, Independent Homewares Stores We're Obsessed With!

Brace yourselves everyone, December is well and truly underway… and we all know what that means!

To take the edge off Christmas shopping anxiety, today we’ve rounded up a hefty list of local, small and independent destinations to find impeccably curated gifts. From South African weavings and Japanese ceramics to Indigenous arts centres and local, small-run Australian makers – these small businesses have the sharpest eye (and excellent online stores!) to cater for every gifting need. 

One of everything please!

Written
by
Sasha Gattermayr

Jugs and vessels from Pépite. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Art Direction – Jess Lillico.

Unique wares from Pépite. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Art Direction – Jess Lillico.

A collection of sculptural + functional pieces from pépite. Photo – Sean Fennessy. Art Direction – Jess Lillico.

Writer
Sasha Gattermayr
1st of December 2021

pépite

pépite is an informal gallery shop that showcases a collection of contemporary design objects (with a focus on ceramics) from emerging artists. The Melbourne-based online store represents more than 50 makers spanning sculpture, glass, illustration, jewellery and accessories. Shop pieces by Ella Reweti, Sharon Alpren and Yuro Cuchor at this ultimate destination for handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces!

Shop pépite here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: Click & Collect available until midday December 24th. For delivery details, contact pépite.

Homewares, furniture and accessories from Sandinavian-focused design store, DesignStuff. Photo – courtesy of DesignStuff.

DesignStuff

If you’re a frequent reader of TDF you’ll know we LOVE Scandi-focussed home store DesignStuff. With a selection of furniture, homewares and accessories from cult status brands such as ferm Living, Menu and Normann Copenhagen – it’s a minimalist’s gifting haven.

Shop DesignStuff here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 7th for NT and WA, December 11th for Tasmania, December 13th for the rest of Australia (standard post). December 14th for NT, December 16th for WA, December 20th for Victoria, December 19th for the rest of Australia (express post).

A haven of handmade delights from around the world at Pan After. Photo – courtesy of Pan After.

Pan After

It wouldn’t be a gifting round-up without one of our favourite shops (and Collingwood neighbours!) Pan After – a mecca for artisanal products from around the globe. From handmade beaded coasters and embroidered napkins from a community project in South Africa and plastic kettles from Senegal to antique textiles, Tekla towelling and Parisian table linens. They even have a selection of incredible niche publications, books and magazines. Heaven.

Shop Pan After here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: Online order cut off December 19. Click & Collect available until December 24th. 

Incense burners, vessels and candle kits from Makers’ Mrkt. Photo – Makers’ Mrkt.

Glassware and ceramics from small local makers at Makers’ Mrkt. Photo – Makers’ Mrkt.

Ceramic vessels and objects. Photo – Makers’ Mrkt.

Such a good selection of curated pieces. Photo – Makers’ Mrkt.

Makers’ Mrkt

Makers’ Mrkt is all about supporting local, independent designers with an emphasis on small-run, hand-made and sustainably produced pieces. Artworks and homewares sit side-by-side, with favourites including Deborah Sweeney, Wundaire and even HAY!

From Tuesday 7th people can book in for private shopping in person by emailing shop@makersmrkt.com and we will also be open 10-2pm Monday to Friday for walk-in shoppers.

Shop Makers’ Mrkt here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 17th for Sydney metro, December 19th for Melbourne, December 10th for the rest of Australia. Click&Collect available until December 24th.

Photo – courtesy of Gingerfinch.

Gingerfinch

Unbound to a single aesthetic or style, Gingerfinch’s commitment to good and fun design rather than trends means they have an unparalleled collection of wares from local and international makers. How good are these resin coasters by Chilimarini reminiscent of stained glass windows? Or these coloured-saturated fine art prints of Canberra’s brutalist architecture? Or the Nicole Lawrence Studio powder coated shelves? So fab.

Shop Gingerfinch here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 8th.

Provider Store is a curation of artisanal Japanese homewares from kitchen items and ceramics to zen gardens and hibachi grills. Photo – courtesy of Provider Store.

A selection of paper lanterns. Photo – courtesy of Provider Store.

Photo – courtesy of Provider Store.

Photo – courtesy of Provider Store.

Provider Store

Provider Store is a Japanese homewares store that makes and sources pieces that exemplify slow living principles. There are hibachi grills, zen gardens, sushi-shaped ceramic chopstick rests and refillable candles among so many other gorgeous pieces. Each piece tells a story of the artisan who made it. Such a thoughtful curation!

Shop Provider Store here.

Photo – Courtesy of Marrawuddi Arts + Culture

Marrawuddi Arts + Culture

Perhaps the ONLY benefit of the last two years has been the increased access many city-dwellers have to remote arts centres and festivals, which have largely shifted to online formats. Artworks by First Nations artists and communities are finding new audiences locally and abroad at such a rapid pace, and it’s amazing to see! One of our favourites is Marrawuddi Arts + Culture in the centre of Kakadu National Park, whose online store includes incredible bark paintings, fibre art (such as woven baskets and pandanus mats), sculpture, jewellery, paper works and even T-shirts!

You might recognise some of these works from the TDF + Laminex Design Awards this year, where weaver Alicia Marrday (an artist at Marrawuddi) took out the Handcrafted Award for her incredible woven backpack! 

Shop Marrawuddi Arts + Culture here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 8th.

A pear-shaped candle. Photo – Studio Best Wishes.

Photo – Studio Best Wishes.

Linen, stockings and a ceramic teapot from their selection of wares. Photo – Studio Best Wishes.

Studio Best Wishes

Studio Best Wishes focuses on honest, uncomplicated and subtle homewares sourced from all around the world. Napkins from India, towels from Osaka or ceramics made in the Karangahake Gorge in New Zealand are just some of the special treasures you’ll find here. Not to mention these gorgeous cushions from family run NA business Klay… A self-gift perhaps?

Shop Kali Yuga here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 7th.

Pieces from Byron Bay-based Nikau Store. Photo – Nikau Store.

Nikau

Located in the pumping heart of Byron Bay, the IRL Nikau Store now has an online shop that hosts pieces from its incredible lineup of makers for those of us who don’t live coastal! Who wouldn’t love one of Andrej Urem’s cult-status beeswax candles or an ‘Heirloom’ vessel from Clae Studio? One of each, please!

Shop Nikau Store here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 6th.

Artisanal Japanese furniture, lighting, objects and homewares from Kali Yuga. Photo – courtesy of Kali Yuga.

Kali Yuga

Based in the Byron shire, this beautiful homewares store stocks pieces that celebrate the crossover between artistry and design, with a focus on Japanese artisanship. Kali Yuga‘s offering sees paper lanterns made by Isamu Noguchi and Shigeru Uchida in Japan’s historic Gifu prefecture sit alongside Mashiko ceramics and cast iron bookends by Tadahiro Baba. Simple, minimalistic and stunning.

Shop Kali Yuga here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 10th (standard post) and December 13th (express post).

Bright and colourful present-perfect home pieces from the lineup at Preston store, Pinky’s. Photo – courtesy of Pinky’s.

Pinky’s

The retail baby of designer Emily Green and stylist Beckie Littler, Pinky’s is a one-stop-shop for colourful and quirky goodies. From Baggu and Slowdown Studio to fabulous tableware, the brick-and-mortar digs in Preston is a total shopping destination. (Don’t worry, they also have an online store!)

Shop Pinky’s here.

Christmas Order Cut-off: December 8th for interstate metro or Victoria’s regional areas and

December 11th for Melbourne metro. No longer available for WA, far north Queensland and remote areas.

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