As you might recall, Down to the Woods is the wholesale brand behind and The Woodsfolk retail store in Hawthorn, Melbourne. Both businesses are run by Amber Clohesy and her husband Ben, and Amber designs many of the products Down to the Woods manufactures and distributes nationally. Her latest collection is an impressive range of rattan mirrors and furniture, inspired by a mid-century sensibility.
‘The range is inspired by my love of mid-century design’ explains Amber. ‘I spend a lot of time looking through old reference material and online sources at furniture from that era. I love seeing how these modernist pieces work in a contemporary home’.
Having been a child of the 70’s and 80’s, Amber also recalls her interiors-obsessed Mum introducing rattan pieces at home when the South East Asian aesthetic was very popular in Australian interiors. ‘My Mum still has her giant rattan sofa to this day, so it is a material that stands the test of time both practically and stylistically!’ Amber says.
Down to the Woods’ rattan range has take some time to pull together, as Amber has worked hard sourcing the right manufacturer, and prototyping her designs. The range, which consists of four different mirrors, the ‘Lazy Days’ daybed and the ‘Wee Poppet’ bassinet are the biggest things Down To The Woods has ever released, so Amber admits it has been a slightly nerve wracking process!
Not surprisingly, though, the range has been incredibly well received so far, which means Amber is already planning to add some new pieces to the collection and expand her work with rattan a little further. ‘It’s a fantastic material to work with thanks to its flexible and lightweight nature, and the beautiful variations that you see from piece to piece’ Amber says. She’s also looking forward to expanding her much loved retail store, The Woodsfolk, early in the new year, in order to fit in all these new big pieces!
Down to the Woods’ new rattan range starts from $130, and is available from Down To The Woods’ stockists nationally, and of course from The Woodsfolk, both in store and online.