This week we welcome Liane Rossler back to the Guest Blog! You might remember when Liane was here with fellow Supercycler Sarah K a couple of months ago sharing a worldwide collection of great design that is also environmentally responsible. This week Liane focuses more locally, taking us on a tour of some of Sydney's best design stores with a thoughtful and ethical focus; a week full of guilt free shopping in style! - Jenny x
This week we visit stores in Sydney that tell a story. Stores run by lovely people selling lovely things that make the world a lovely place. - Liane x
The R.E.A.L Store is all about the ordinary and the extraordinary. Ordinary products with extraordinary messages. Ordinary people with extraordinary talent. Brands that are inspired and people who are passionate.
Everything in the store communicates a message, with the philosophy based on being a showcase for inspiring, social, ethical and sustainable design and living.
If you could leave one message for humanity, what would it be? Touching messages are stamped onto silver bangles for the Hands That Shape Humanity project. A social enterprise committed to affecting positive change and inspiring human potential. 'We are made for love'. This project also inspired the SEAT project, where a bamboo stool designed by a local CoFA student raises money for the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation.
The R.E.A.L store carry exquisitely elegant Wasara paper tableware, which is almost too gorgeous to use. Made from reed, bamboo and sugarcane waste, it is the most beautiful disposable tableware imaginable.
Some of the clothing includes Prison Blues, which are made by men in prison in Oregon, USA. Fathers, sons and brothers that are interested in making amends for the choices that put them behind bars. Jeans that are 'made to do hard time'.
Every product in the store carries a fascinating and inspiring story, with a percentage of sales going to great causes.
The R.E.A.L Store 91 Bourke st Woolloomooloo Sydney 2011 NSW, Australia
ph. 02 8356 9993Handmade brushes from master craftsmen in Japan sit with Aboriginal weavings and baskets from Maningrida, and traditional straw pilgrim shoes that are worn when visiting Japanese shrines.
I love the timeless simplicity of these hand carved Japanese mugs made from one piece of timber… and these handmade copper turned brass Japanese canisters.
These hand carved Moroccan wooden plates and bowls make the most beautiful still life and look so lovely even when they are not being used.
The Beldi 'Harira' soup spoons are made from lemon tree timber, which is a by-product of the citrus industry. The branches that no longer bear fruit are hand carved into these sculptural and useful utensils.
Kitchenware such as these classic glass and teak spice jars made in Thailand sit on a huge farm table from Cardigan Bay in Wales. Beautiful quality pieces that will stand the test of time.
There are also all sorts of do-it-yourself craft kits, such as the little collage packets from Virginia that have been collected from flea markets along the east coast of America.
Pom-pom power with these Moroccan wool blankets and mats that have been given a twist with zappy colours for Sydney.
Soon you'll be able to sit in the sun and enjoy using all the treasures when Pure and General open their cafe.
More on The Design Files by Lucy on her recent visit here.
Pure & General 114 Brougham st Potts Point NSW 2010 ph. (02) 9360 6060- Liane x