In the realm of interior design, little accents can make a big impact. Feature cushions, with their versatility and ability to inject personality into any space, are a designer’s best friend. When it comes to choosing colours for these essential decor pieces, classic shades of blue offer a timeless elegance that can transform a room into a tranquil sanctuary. Explore the art of styling feature cushions in calm blues, offering inspiration and tips for creating a harmonious and inviting atmosphere in your home.
Why We Love Blue
Blue is a colour often associated with calmness, tranquility, and serenity. Incorporating shades of blue into your interior design can evoke feelings of relaxation and peace, making it an ideal choice for spaces where you want to unwind and recharge. Whether you prefer soft pastel blues or deep, rich navy tones, there’s a shade of blue to suit every taste and style preference. By incorporating serene blue feature cushions into your decor, you can effortlessly elevate the aesthetic of any room while creating a soothing environment that promotes a sense of well-being.
Styling Tips:
Styling feature cushions in serene blue colours is a simple yet effective way to enhance the beauty and tranquility of your living space. By following these tips and incorporating cushions in varying shades, textures, and patterns, you can create a visually stunning and inviting environment that reflects your personal style and promotes a sense of calm and relaxation. So go ahead, embrace the timeless elegance of serene blue hues, and transform your home into a peaceful sanctuary that you’ll love coming back to day after day.
]]>Eco-Friendly Cushion Covers: Making a Statement
The journey towards sustainability begins with the outer layer – the cushion cover. Opting for eco-friendly materials like hand-spun cotton, linen, viscose and silk not only adds a touch of nature to your decor but also reduces the environmental footprint associated with conventional fabrics made with heavy, petrol-powered machinery. These materials are not only biodegradable but also produced using environmentally friendly practices, making them an excellent choice for conscious consumers.
Sustainable Cushion Materials: More Than Comfort
Explore the realm of sustainable cushion materials that go beyond mere comfort. Look for options like recycled polyester, Tencel, or even reclaimed fabric for the inner filling of your throw pillows. These materials not only provide plush comfort but also repurpose existing resources, contributing to the reduction of waste in landfills.
Each Bandhini feather insert is made from biodegradable 100% duck feather and our outdoor dacron inserts are filled with recycled PET fibre derived from 100% post-consumer water bottles. For every 1kg of fibre used, around 70 water bottles are saved from ending up in landfill.
Manufactured in Small Quantities: Support Small Businesses and Sustainable Practices
Look for unique products and avoid chain stores for higher quality, individual pieces that you will keep for years to come. Fast fashion fades quickly and cheaper mass-produced options often mean lower quality and low-paid working in factory environments. Supporting small businesses encourages conscious production practices and provides a meaningful income for families and craftsmen.
The Appeal of Organic Decorative Cushions: Nature in Your Home
Organic decorative cushions bring the beauty of nature into your living space. Crafted from materials such as organic cotton, silk and leather, these pillows offer a cozy and natural feel. The cultivation of organic materials avoids the use of harmful pesticides and chemicals, promoting healthier ecosystems and supporting ethical farming practices.
Longevity and Durability: The Sustainable Advantage
Sustainable cushion fabrics are not only gentle on the environment but also boast longevity and durability. Investing in high-quality, eco-friendly pillow covers means less frequent replacements, reducing overall consumption and waste. Durable materials contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle, aligning with the principles of conscious living.
Caring for Sustainable Cushions: Tips for Maintenance
Extend the lifespan of your sustainable cushions with proper care. Learn about eco-friendly washing methods, and consider using natural, biodegradable detergents. This not only preserves the integrity of the materials but also ensures that your commitment to sustainability extends to every aspect of the product lifecycle.
As we strive for a more sustainable future, our choices in home decor play a crucial role. By embracing eco-friendly home styling styling choices, sustainable cushion materials and natural pillow covers, we contribute to a greener planet while creating a cozy and conscious living space. Let your home be a testament to your commitment to a more sustainable and eco-conscious lifestyle.
I often ask my myself, how much do we actually need?
Nothing endorses this more than when I go to a trade fair and see acres and acres of product. Undesirable stuff, stuff you’ve got no idea what it actually does or what it's used for, flat-out ugly undeserving items of junk. It puts me off wanting anything at all.
After receiving an AFS scholarship at the tender age of 17 and travelling to Bangkok for a year’s study my culinary horizons were well and truly opened. Wow, what flavours and smells! I remember thinking, these guys eat everything...including ‘cockroach paste' - one must know their limits.
I swung to the vegetarian diet after studying and understanding the teachings of the Hindu Scriptures - I realised it was the way forward for my inner compass. Since then I still have never eaten red meat but I have expanded my diet to include eggs and seafood.
I love cooking, especially for others! I recently hosted a luncheon where I served (delicious) poke bowls, here's the recipe:
You can use a combination of any vegetables you love, try organic produce for flavour and harvest from your garden - ours provided all the fresh herbs. Incredibly healthy and satisfying, plus have no guilt about the dessert ahead!
Enjoy - life’s short!
Ingredients: Bowl
Toppings
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Sauce 1
Sauce 2
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Method:
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Yes, I possibly have. As a child I grew up in my grandmother's garden, she and I were inseparable. A true horticultural artist, nana could do anything creative she turned her hand to, from garden design to interiors and textiles. I have no doubt I’m here today because of her.
1966 - Nana and I in her extensive 2 acre garden, truly my happy place then and now my own in 2023.
I studied journalism and had an early career as a writer in San Diego, but my passion was always flowers, fabric, and interiors. When I returned from the US with a small baby I started to make wreaths. I was so inspired by the beautiful seasonal wreaths frequently adorning American front doors. Even now, if you watch the Netflix series 'Dream Home Makeover', or follow Studio McGee, Shea always puts a wreath on every client's door.
Young journalist head shot for my column - fashion and lifestyle section! |
1993 - The birth of Bandhini. Of course with the old IBM on the pine kitchen table in my duplex...thought if I was lucky I might run it for a year or two. |
1989 - Me and brand new baby Sharm, not even a month old at my brothers wedding. |
I first made them for myself, then for friends and neighbours. Everything I used was natural and organic, that's where I saw beauty. I hand-made my bases from straw, dried my own roses and foliage, and fossicked Hagley Park in Christchurch for seeds and pods. Then someone suggested I do a weekly market stall at Cathedral Square - which I threw myself into and promptly sold out the first weekend! I have to tell you, it was a wee earner and soon I was making them for my brother's newly opened “The Country Store” in Alexandra (near Queenstown), along with the classic terracotta pots with flower rose balls (gosh, remember those) - the country girls of Central Otago just loved those!
Recently I had the joy of hosting a Christmas luncheon and wreath-making workshop for my lovely Interior Designer clients. Again I fossicked neighbour’s gardens for treasures - seeds, pods and foliage and we recycled all our Bandhini fabric offcuts for bows! What a fun day we had! You should have seen those designers go - marvellous creations and I thought if only Nana could have been here now, she would have loved the fruits of her tuition!
For more wreath making, watch my Christmas Wreath video.
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I’m a huge fan of warm salads and have them many times a week - be it with roast vegetables or protein.
The woman spearheading this is Mary Portas who has over 40 years experience in the UK, dealing big and small companies as both a buyer and marketing innovator. You may have seen here in a show called “Mary Queen on Shops” - she has revolutionised the High St shops. She’s a very straight talking Pom who is on a mission to change the way we consume and why the hell you do what you do. Check out her TED talk below.
On her podcast “The Kindness Economy”, she interviews innovators And changers both in energy, retail and a number of sectors.
No offence to Pantone - but who really cares about the latest colour of the year - if it’s coral or pumpkin - baby blue and pink (I know, that’s not what they called it but it was right?) one can wonder how these colours really shape our lives.
I decided pretty early on I was a big creature fan, animals great and small had my heart. As soon as I could, I stopped eating them (or the ones deemed as food). As soon as I got the information that there was an alternative to meat and it was called vegetarianism and that there were entire countries and cultures who lived just fine - I was in. Philosophically it just seemed right, economically and ecologically for the planet it definitely is - and that one is backed by science.
You can tell a lot about people on how they protect the challenged in society be animals, children, races, creeds, gay, straight or alien (that will happen). I watch with a melted heart as my partner Andrew (now officially in the grumpy man’s club) cares for our creatures, he’s soft and beautiful with them as he is with children with disabilities.
A girlfriend reminded me that you can gauge the potential of a partner on how kind and thoughtful he is to his mother. Girls will run a mile if a son is cold and hard on his mum - an indication of things to come.
All motivation aside ‘random acts of kindness have become the new hashtag tag. #dosomethingfornothing is a revolutionary movement of young barbers cutting the hair of the homeless, giving a new and spruced up version of themselves to lift their spirits. There are community fridges to share your evening meal or excess groceries with people who need it. Wonderful groups of people filling handbags with female care products for women fleeing domestic violence- something just for them.
These things aren’t hard to be a part of and can certainly be achieved by us all. I for many years was part of a free vegetarian food movement. My son was raised from a very young age serving the homeless and in need, in parks an public spaces. It was an honour to do and I had the great fortune of meeting some incredible souls whose time on the planet had given them a rough ride. That time enriched me and I really miss it.
I watch a Facebook show by a guy called Mike Rowe called ‘Returning the favour’ and it’s about doing something nice for nice people. ‘Bloody do-gooders he calls them - and he’s right - all these people have in common is they are really a happy, jolly lot with a great sense of humour . They generally say is ‘I wouldn’t be doing anything else’.
The memorable people in our lives are the ones who have been kind to us. They say a child never really remembers the details but will always remember how a person made them feel. A great thing about kindness is it has a ripple down effect and impacts on itself. When you see kindness being done it engages you to do the same - it releases endorphins and serotonin into the body and we get a natural high. Warning, that can become addictive...
So sorry to be unkind to Pantone - this living coral - haven’t we seen this one before - circa 1990 something? Remind me...
By Tai Schaffler - founder of Bandhini
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One of my great delights in life is talking to dogs and horses. Their perspective is always honest and clear. They have no mixed agenda and are totally open and real with you. I’ve been asking my Molly dog (a border collie) advice for years. I use a voice that my father did with us as kids – the one we speak to babies and animals with. I have just realised it is self- soothing and I find myself using it whilst driving and in stressful times. It perks the endorphins and has a way of relaxing you, enables you to laugh at yourself. I have inadvertently taught this voice to my niece, also a great animal lover (and much to my sisters disgust) she has mastered it beyond mine. It embarrasses my son and in fact in order to scare off Andrew – a then potential suitor (my now twenty-one year partner) said to him “Have you heard the voice?”, like it was some evil demon alter personality. Those of you who know me, know I talk stupid. It doesn’t worry me at all if you think I am nuts – I am fortunately of an age that I no longer care.
Up the hill and down to greet us is Buddy the Boxer. A big, soft hearted boy – Molly is very cruel to him, like she doesn’t quite make her grade, but he’s got such lovely manners I just can’t resist him.
Two barking German Shepard’s go off as old Molly tart parades her stuff – she can barely walk these days but goes off like the queen of the street – Ellie and Candy respond like a couple of wild wolves but are as timid as all get out. I ended up with one here – lost – found by a passerby. I tend to get a lot of lost creatures here, I think they know it’s a safe haven. So far I have had seven dogs, two horses and a cow find sanctuary. It bothers me that they are lost and worried and away from their families.
Next my feathery friends – Henrietta, Charlotte and Abigail – I’ve made their names up as their parents haven’t given them any, awfully sad I think. They roam freely up the end of our street – two clusters united from neighbouring houses. I am convinced that one of my greatest talents is as a “chicken whisperer”. I was asked by their family to mind them whilst way. “None of them are laying unfortunately”, they said. Well, let’s see about that, I thought. I immediately used my funny voice – just talking all sorts of rubbish to them. Well, the first day I got one egg, then two the second and by the time their folks got home, we were up to eight. That’s the power of friendship right there! They now have a new protector from foxes there (yes a sadly few have gone) in the miniature foxy Little Bubby only about the size of a size four shoe himself.
Then there’s the native bird life that makes you feel like you are on a movie set of a tropical paradise – a flash mob of cockatoos appear out of nowhere, squawking cheekily, good looking lad lorikeets duck and dive straight thru Molly and I as we toddle along. A gaggle of Kookaburras are in full blown karaoke like a bunch of jolly blokes returning drunk from a night out. We have our own resident Wrens living in our well clipped hedges. Andrew has named them Bonnie and Floyd – but to be honest we think there’s been a number on Bonnies as Floyd is a bit of a man about town and loves entertaining. Say no more.
I have my own big horse at home too Kelkei – you will have met him if you visited our office and warehouse out in The Valley- Yes I know we do things differently here. This big Arab creature wanders around like he owns the place. He’s an only horse and we feel a bit sorry for him in his paddock alone. He’s a good look of a thing, but don’t worry he also knows it but at twenty-six he’s also a grumpy old man. Any opportunity for a bit of a nip when you are not looking. Andrew is his main carer and they have taken on each- others qualities, so I have a complaint jar for them both and they are in charge of solving the problems. Kelkei has just lost a friend across the road – Pegasus a Thoroughbred who just lost his battle – a kindly vet kindly stroking him as he slipped away into the “green dream”. Our boy has taken a new lease on life however and he’s acquired a river retreat. Our neighbours across the creek have kindly allowed him on their easement – where they have across the fence – two llamas and five goats. Oh and the “to do” from Kelkei the day the Llamas moved in – he had never seen anything like it – these funny looking horses with pretty faces. Smitten he is, as we are, doesn't even bother coming home at night for dinner as he’s out on the trot with the llamas – batting their beautiful long eye lashes at him. Like his mother, he enjoys the company of furry friends who talk funny!
By Tai Schaffler - founder of Bandhini
On a recent trip to NZ, my dear brother collected me from Queenstown airport. He was not well but came anyway, bless him. He was frustrated with the January summer tourist traffic and said out loud to himself, “Okay, don’t sweat the small stuff, Steve”.
Amen, I thought, to that. Small stuff is just that, small and not worth your concern.
It was a short 45 min drive to Clyde, the place of our birth where our mother lay in a coma after a massive stroke and in her precious last few days. Yes, I know, our family has had a pretty rough ride in the past few months. For mum, although sad for us, it was her time. She was in her 90th year and ready to go.
Images from Sharm's journey in New Zealand, with his Aurelius Leather bags & close up shots of Bandhini products.https://aureliusleather.com/
Images at Bandhini HQ of Lauren writing her calligraphy and a finished order.
Images of close up and personal Bandhini products.
Images taken by Sharm while he was away in New Zealand with his best friend Marcus and their Aurelius Leather bags. https://aureliusleather.com/
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Images from our journey to America, we met some really amazing people over there.
It always involves traveling, trying to pack up and make a plane, train and automobile and it's always one hell of a trip! I’ve got stuff everywhere and I'm trying to pack up shove it in boxes and suitcases, pack up a house, look after other people’s stuff and there’s like 20 mins to get to the airport which is an hour away. There’s some strong message trying to be delivered here and I’m just not getting it.
In my experience life nudges you to where you ought to be – windows of information descend quickly then close.
Our jump into America was a big deal for us and happened purely by chance. Things just happen – do they? A friend was exhibiting his furniture at a Las Vegas Trade Fair and wanted textiles to finish the stand. I saw it as an opportunity to allow my son Sharm his first experience in the business. Having an American passport already – yes his Dad and my first husband is a New Yorker – we had lived in The States when he was a baby and I worked as a journalist there for an alternative publication.
This would be a chance for him to experience his father’s homeland . He was totally green and innocent and in a good way as it turned out, and had no idea who anyone was in this LALA famous designer people land. And amazing things of happenstance started to happen to him - being in the right place at the right time -meeting the Neiman buyer and not knowing it was her even, famous designers as well as being asked to do the VIP room at EMI after the Emmys.
My immediate intuition with USA was that it was a great opportunity to connect with clients that were in tune with us, we would design and supply them from our production in India. Generally speaking – your first intuition is going to be your best one. Don’t bother second guessing yourself. The next 6 years was intense and rewarding at the same time. Burning the candle at both ends time zone wise, criss crossing the USA doing 7 day fairs. Other Oz companies often ask me about entering into the USA and I tell them, make sure you’ve got a good budget! Image from our brand new 2018 Winter Collection.
So what have I learnt from my reoccurring dream? Make your dream bigger than your fear. Your job here is to ‘find your flow’ so move in the direction that feels right. What makes you come alive is your truth. Surround yourself with other dreamers, and don’t be afraid to ask for help or directions.
If you are concerned about being relevant, concentrate on creating design to support people in their lives and with what you love. We desire to return to the artisanal way – driven by craft, creation and inspiration and through intuition and happenstance others will join you on your quest.
The human spirit has a natural attraction to celebrate life, as it ebbs and flows through the dark and light of our lives. Any excuse for a party hey?
Celebrating life is also about stopping, taking time watching as the sun sets, as a dog plays, a horse eats in a field. Mindfulness – not easy to do as our mind races quickly from one thing to another - problem solving and conflict resolution. I have to be honest, I struggle with this a lot. As soon as I reach a place, or end a task, my mind is already on another. A perpetual move forward – to the next thing… then the next adventure.
How do we take stock of that, paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally. Bringing one's complete attention to the present experience on a moment-to-moment basis. Observing death, being grateful, inner honesty, brute force, meditation? Meditation - good luck with that, I have had a love/hate relationship for 35 years as I practiced on and off mantra meditation. Rising at 4 in the morning, using a mala bead (like the rosary) to count around (108 of a 2 stanza mantra) – said 108 times. Daily, that’s roughly 2 hours in anyone’s life, my struggle was always the “work” I should be doing!
The basic meaning of this meditation is “Please Lord (Universe if you prefer) engage me in your service”. A very similar prayer to which Oprah has used for decades “Please Lord use me as your instrument”, it seems to have worked pretty well for her.
Back in the day, I was considered a bit of a weirdo for my philosophical choices, it wasn’t the done deal in the small New Zealand town community that I was raised. I am happy to say that today in February 2018 – mindfulness and meditation is all the rage. God, who knew I’d now be following the trend!
Before the great celebration that is Christmas and New Year, my son Sharm and I also attended a celebration of love and union. If you ever get the invitation to an Indian wedding – go. It is done there like nowhere else, everyone is celebrated and considered. It goes for days as the various ceremonies are planned with beauty and attention.
It is also a celebration of two families joining and the new shared journey they take together. We were very honored to be there as guests and extended family of the Narains – the marriage of Karan their youngest son to the beautiful Sheena. I met this amazing family (Mithoo and Sweety) when I was 26, collaborating to work with craftsmen on this product of Bandhini – which for me celebrates all that is handmade beauty. Our kids were little then – now they are grown men who have taken up the reigns to now run what we started all those years ago. A celebration of tradition and Unity.
Wishing you all the mindful, celebrations of joy and possibilities for 2018!
Christmas time is a time for celebration and perfect festive home decor.
CHRISTMAS WREATHS
I have always loved a good wreath. Fresh ones are always best as they give off those beautiful pine smells. When Sharm (my son) was a baby, I had a wreath business. I sold wreaths at a market stall in Christchurch by the cathedral.
I would dry all the roses and lavender myself and wrapped the wreaths around a mostly straw base - I still bear the scars from the hot glue gun!
It was a magical time in that square, very rewarding to make someone’s door or hall look fabulous for the festive season, and although I made wreaths all year round the Christmas wreaths were my favourite.
TABLE SETTINGS
If I ever did a design book it would be on dining settings. I just love a great dinning setting. I was raised in the hotel industry and from the age of 12, my job was to set up the dining room at the pub.
My mother was a tremendous cook, we had many regular guests and continuously hosted dinner parties for large families and local sporting clubs. It was always a challenge to set up the room & tables for wedding anniversaries, the golf or cricket clubs or birthday celebrations.
For my brothers 50th birthday last year, I used his and my late fathers small vintage matchbook cars as the table setting decorations. It’s important to be personal & thoughtful with the table setting decorations to honor the occasion.
STOCKINGS
Christmas stockings were never a big thing for me growing up in New Zealand. We had the kiwi equivalent - a pillowcase at the end of the bed! A big deal for us was to get an orange in that pillowcase (Stone fruit, not citrus was the thing in Central Otago where I grew up).
We now have the pleasure of collaborating with the prestigious ‘Fig & Dove’ - the best looking Christmas Stockings you can ever lay your eyes on! Fig & Dove have opened up an entire ‘can of designs’ for me from our 20-year design library. It has been such a fun collaboration with their stocking designs, tree skirts, table runners and napkins to match. www.figanddove.com
FAVOURITE CHRISTMAS TREATS
Our favourite holiday treats to make for Christmas that taste and look amazing!
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Spiked Apple Cider
Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups apple cider
1 cup apple brandy
3/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 tablespoons pure maple syrup
6 apple slices, for garnish
Instructions:
1. Chill cocktail glasses in freezer.
2. Fill a tall cocktail shaker half full of ice. Add cider, brandy, lemon juice and maple syrup. Shake vigorously for 20 seconds.
3. Pour mixed and chilled ingredients through a strainer of a cocktail shaker and into chilled cocktail glasses.
4. Cut a thin slit into each apple slice and perch onto the rim of each glass for garnish
Liams Cocktail
Ingredients:
4 oz. champagne (reasonably priced non-vintage champagne is fine)
1/2 oz. cognac
1/2 oz. Grand Marnier
dash of Campari
orange wheel (garnish)
crushed ice
Instructions:
1. Fill a large chilled wineglass with crushed ice.
2. Add the following in exactly this order:
Champagne
Cognac
Grand Marnier
Campari
3. Garnish with an orange wheel.
Christmas Cookies
Ingredients:
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup, plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
1 egg white, beaten
8 ounces candied orange
Instructions:
1. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix butter and sugar together until just incorporated.
2. Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix again on low speed, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl intermittently as needed.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together cocoa powder and salt. Add to butter and egg mixture. Mix on low speed until a dough is formed and there are no longer any streaks of butter in the mixing bowl.
4. The dough will clump around the paddle attachment while being mixed. If your mixture does not come together and is crumbly, add ice-cold water 1 tablespoon at a time until the dough clumps.
5. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper.
6. Turn the dough out onto a sheet of wax paper and top with a second sheet. Roll dough into an oblong disc between the papers with a rolling pin.
7. Transfer dough — wax paper and all — to a large cookie sheet. Wrap dough tightly onto the cookie sheet with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
8. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
9. Remove top sheet of wax paper and roll dough a little thinner (Image 1). It should not be sticky. You may dust the surface lightly with flour if it is sticky, but not too much.
10. Roll dough to a 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thickness.
11. Cut dough into 3-inch squares using a cookie cutter (Image 1) and place on parchment–lined baking sheets.
12. Lightly brush squares with egg white (Image 2).
13. Evenly divide candied orange between the cut dough squares (Image 3).
14. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden around the edges and fragrant. Let cool completely.
All of us at the Bandhini team wish you a relaxing holiday season!
Blog by Tai Schaffler
It's not a mystery to any of us that sickness and death is absolutely going to happen to everybody, yet it's always a shock when it happens to your tribe, your people. However it's a good reminder to ask yourself, what's my intent for this life? You spend a hell a lot of time working, so what intent do we have for that work, to make money, be the best at what we do, lead the field? It's not easy to say what the best intent is because they are different to everyone. But it's a damn good thing to think about considering the state of the world. Is it just me or has this desire for fame and adoration just gone nuts over the past few years? Apparently it’s the most in demand thing as the goal for some people’s lives. Honestly who would want it? Life under a blinking microscope, all eyes on you waiting for failure.
- In store training sessions by me personally: Including the story behind Bandhini and how all our products are made, by who and why with demonstrations on how block printing and weaving is achieved.
- In store materials: Including swatch books, quilt swatches, point of sale material (posters and books) to display and special give outs to clients
- Free storyboard service: Storyboarding is an invaluable resource and service that has changed our business, it helps put together collections for you and your clients for in visioning our product in your project.
- Champagne Evenings: For you, your staff and your clients. Interactive workshops (how to layer a bed, a sofa or layout an art wall, textile craft), gift bags, Photo booths.
- Social Media collaborations: Sharing and promoting your business through our social media platforms.
- Eco & Luxe Ranges: We have also listened to you and are introducing a Bandhini Eco (economy) and Luxe ranges. The new Eco range allows you to achieve that brilliant Bandhini look with budget in mind – both looks fully supported with Lifestyle photography!
To be successful in any field one has to genuinely wish success for others. The shared joy of seeing others prosper and be able to contribute in any small way is a personal high.
The unity for me is working with creative friends in the industry- all artisans in their own right and fields to a shared vision.
The longer I'm around in this interiors field (coming up 25 years) I realise that people on a certain wave length capture thoughts and visions at the same time, like sharing a meditation field. Very similar to how most things are invented throughout history - wether it be flight, electricity or the travel to space - more than one party has the same vision and they are all working on it at the same time.
The question is 'how do we stay generous and happy for others success?'. It’s very hard not to slip into that awful green place of competition and fear. But like the decision you make in your life like to be happy, or not, you have to decide to be a gracious well wisher. You need to understand that everyone has their dreams and need for creative expression- it's quite a joy to invent or create - I'd go as far to say that it's a type of dopamine drug. Most of us in the interiors industry know the feeling well - pretty good aye - be honest! So when you understand that, you want everyone to feel it and it's so lovely to see others experiencing it. You really don't know what you can truly do until you throw yourself into it - take a deep breath and jump. You also don't know where it can take you.
So, here's me foolishly thinking I was a (fabric) cushion designer for 24 odd years - throwing all sorts of nutty ideas on cushions as art for the sofa. It sometimes takes the next generation to come along and say "hold on mum, we design and make all these designs ourself - we are a Design House - we could use these designs on any mediums, some of this is art, we should frame it." And you know what, I guess it is. Yeah, why didn't I think of that? It has opened us up to using our original designs on many mediums and working with many others in the industry.
In my time I have also been lucky enough to help others head to their dreams and start their own Interior companies. I see them thriving now and doing so many great things like The Designer Boys Collection and Uniqwa Furniture - proper leaders in their field. I am very happy for their success, and grateful for their help returned.
Charl & Andrea from Uniqwa Furniture (left), Barbara from Hermon Hermon (right)
It's important to help where you can and in anyway - I too had tremendous mentors and people in the Industry that helped me in the early days and through - Barbara and John from Hermon & Hermon - again creatives ahead of their time, took this young single mum on with her suitcase of original samples and spanned a 20 year retail relationship made in design heaven. Then there was Serge from La Grolla who I shared a showroom in Sydney in the early days and continues to care. My old mate Kerryn from Equator who included me always in her vision and space. Very grateful for their love and help.
As we journeyed onto the USA in the past 5 years we have made more creative friendships either through our shared showroom space and agents in the States. We have loved their work and their Ethos, so starts a new "Bandhini Collaborative". Sharm (my son) has bought his own friends on board and a fresh new generation, who's energy I am very grateful for.
Zoe Bios Creative, a groovy LA art group headed up by Minh Nguyen former Managing Director of natural Curiosities and Caitlin Dinkins former creative director for Stila Cosmetics - CHECK THEM OUT
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The new Zoe Bios artworks are the newest additional to the Bandhini collection.
ZBC was founded in 2011 by Minh Nguyen Managing Director of Natural Curiosities, and Cailtlin Dinkins, former Illustrator and Creative Director for Stila Cosmetics.
From their art house in Los Angeles ZBC creates repeatable originals in editions of 100, with hand overlay that includes, aging, leafing, gesso and India ink. They also work with 27 artists globally to curate full-bodied collections for their clients...
Colleen from Fig & Dove (left), Minh from Zoe Bios (right)
The other cool collab came when we're exhibiting at Atlanta across the way from the best looking Xmas stockings you wish to lay your eyes on and the cutest bunch of girls from Baton Rouge Louisanna headed up by the clever Colleen. Over the course of the fair we struck up a deal to create and manufacture these stylish stockings from the smart Fig and Dove.
We are incredibly happy and grateful to bring these both to you, plus the extended idea to Bandhini Design House and debut at D&D Fair Melbourne July 20-23 with a renew, new generation spirit of connection and collaboration!
Come have a drink with us there!
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Blog by Tai Schaffler - Founder of Bandhini
As we embrace technology with our very own new whizz bang website with open arms, at our centre we are examiners of the arts of ancient cultures and use it as daily inspiration in our collections.
“Never was there a time when I did not Exist nor you, nor all these Kings, Nor in the Future shall any of us cease to be”Quote from the Bhagavada Gita Chapter 2 verse 12
I was fortunate enough to receive an AFS scholarship at the age of 18 to study in Thailand. It was then my vision of art and philosophy were considerably broadened. Culture shock was an understatement. Seeing the way those people lived differently, ate differently, spoke differently was utterly fascinating to me. It only took me a few weeks to sniff out the extraordinary Jim Thompson Fabrics, oh what heaven, this wonderful gracious man took a beautiful ancient craft and made it available the west.
As I ebbed and flowed though life I always held my Jim Thompson pieces close, not knowing that one day I would end up in the same industry. With now a textile company of my own, I found it very funny when 30 years later my son Sharm ran into the Jim Thompson USA team at an industry function in Hollywood in his first year there. "Karma" she sure is a funny girl. (This was his very first encounter with any design house in the USA)
As a young journalist I studied and lapped up any philosophy I could, I took all the religious and philosophy assignments – it was my thing and I got handed all the stories to cover – Scientology, Catholic Church Nuns, The Hare Krishnas. I didn’t do it like I was some kind of needy religious follower in search of a guru – I was then, as I am now, genuinely interested in ‘why’ we are all here. If I do have a Tribe, is there other seekers and question askers – there’s an incredible relish in diverse information of the soul.
It was on the voyage of self discovery that I also realised that much of the ancient arts and crafts are a result of this expression. Capturing the expressions of a divine equation, the marvellous planet we all find ourselves on. Again, I am of the notion, that art and artist expression is a matter of tapping in and pulling down the energy, to the medium of your inner love. Music, painting, sculpture and design. A meditation if you will. Be still and you will know. It’s what they are calling “mindfulness’ as the moment. My innate belief is that we also bring things from other times, other lives lived.
So in the large part this is where I am at - if I can promote and dedicate my working life to the expressions of Ancient Cultural Arts and its nuisances then year, I'm in my calling. India, Africa, Japan, South America - so much cultural diversity and beauty in their Ancient history. It's fascinating, mind blowing and incredibly satisfying to the soul. You also can't ever seperate nature from culture as we are bound by the environment we are nurtured in - it colours our vision - literally, as I can tell you from being in the fabric business, colour looks different in ever county.
Which brings me to the grand impermanence of life – that once the beauty of nature and cultural come to radiate us they then depart as we do to another time..
“After a thousand years even the fir must pass away. The morning-glory flaunts in pride its beauty of a day." Teitoku late Tokugawa Period
Enjoy the inspiration and my ongoing study of Ancient Cultures...
Blog by Tai Schaffler - Founder of Bandhini
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I need to fess up. My name is Tai, and I’m Magazine-aholic. I get magazines from all over the world. I mean everywhere. Oh yes, it’s bad.
It’s not just because I love the gorgeous pictures and enjoy flicking through the pages. I genuinely love observing the lives of others – their personal quirks, their cultural and geographic influences. It’s a bit like "people watching” in Europe, you could do it all day, given the right café and Palazzo.
It also helps that in a past incarnation I worked in newspapers and magazines both in journalism and advertising. I studied philosophy and religion and thought I would be an International Foreign Correspondent but somehow I ended up on fashion magazines. Go figure. The Universe always seems to have another agenda for you. That’s ok – you make do, as my second passion is textiles and interiors.
When I started Bandhini as a single mum, in my home garage in 1993 my story was always to go green. It was not terribly fashionable then – something reserved for Hippies and Activists. Yeah Ok, I may have been a bit of both. But my idea of green, was caring about not only how products were made and with what, but caring about the people making it. I cared that they were looked after and paid well. I couldn’t bear the thought of displacing them and making them work in substandard places. I wanted craft done right from their Villages and their homes and communities.