Furniture

Capra Designs · Rocky Road Collection

Tom Wilson and Bianca Lambert of Capra Designs have been BUSY. We first featured the husband and wife team a couple of years ago, a mere month after they’d launched their debut range of resin plant-pots and powder coated metal plant-stands.

Fast-forward to now, and not only do they have a two-year-old business, but they also have a two-year-old baby, Banjo! That’s gotta take some serious teamwork.

We revisit Capra Designs to preview Rocky Road, their new collection in collaboration with textile designer Anna Sassi.

Written
by
Sally Tabart

Capra Designs is a Melbourne-based home and plant wares brand, created by husband-and-wife team Thomas Wilson and Bianca Capra. Photo – Eve Wilson.

The multi-purpose throw from Rocky Road, the collaborative collection from Capra Designs and textile designer, Anna Sassi. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Capra Designs have recently started outsourcing their production, allowing more time for focus on design and experimentation. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Terracotta coasters on top of a printed linen from the Rocky Road collection from Capra Designs. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Thomas Wilson, Bianca Capra and Anna Sassi alongside the printed linen designs they created together. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Capra Designs are known for their unique plant wares. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Linens from the Rocky Road collection designed in collaboration with Anna Sassi. Trilogy plant hangers and resin pot and vase from Capra Designs. Photo – Eve Wilson.

Writer
Sally Tabart
21st of September 2017

In addition to building on their innovative collection of plant-stands and pots, Capra Designs‘ new Rocky Road collection includes brightly printed linen homewares, created with Byron Bay-based textile designer, Anna Sassi. Hand dyed and screen printed, the range was designed with the festive season in mind, ‘It’s a celebration of colour, life, balance, fun and relaxation,’ says Bianca Lambert, who founded the brand with her partner Tom Wilson in 2015.

As for their new collection with Anna, this collaboration has been a long time coming, and is really the result of a bit of a meet cute. ‘I met Anna in Milan, Italy in 2005 while we were both there exploring our Italian heritage’ Bianca reflects. Soon after, the pair worked together to produce a couple of short-run clothing collections. ‘I love the way Anna works with colour and texture, and the way we creatively bounce off each other,’ says Bianca, ‘…which I suppose is also what I love about the partnership I have with Tom’. Working with friends and partners can be risky business, but these guys have got it down.

A recent major change to Capra Designs’ business model has been the outsourcing of production, as previously Tom and Bianca were making everything themselves. You wouldn’t notice, though. ‘I have worked with a talented team of artisans to teach them Capra Designs’ resin pour techniques, colour compositions, design and mould making preferences,’ explains Bianca. This decision has allowed the brand to refocus their energy on design and experimentation, which has lead to products that are, from Bianca’s perspective, ‘more refined and complete’.

Tom and Bianca have their feet firmly grounded in the Melbourne homewares and furniture industry, where they are supported by a network of local makers, buyers and customers. ‘It’s nice to be a part of a thriving community who are interested in seeing each other succeed, finding ways to collaborate and helping each other progress,’ says Bianca. We couldn’t agree more; you’re all a pretty good bunch out there!

You can buy Tom and Bianca’s innovative wares online here, and also find Anna Sassi’s colourful work here

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