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This week is Australian Made Week (20-26th May 2024) and we are so excited that we are one of the few companies in Australia that are still producing handcrafted furniture for your children. Let us have your ear for just one moment to share some of the reasons we do what we do, and what drives us to produce high quality furniture here in Australia. A sign of the timesUnfortunately, the current trend in Australia's furniture industry involves the disposal of thousands of tons of cheap, mass-produced items. As environmental awareness increases, waste management has become a crucial issue, especially when it comes to reducing our contribution to landfill. Recent data paints a revealing picture: based on a survey of 2,500 metropolitan households in Australia, each dispose of an average of 24kg of furniture annually. When you extrapolate these numbers to account for the Greater Sydney Region's 2 million households, the figures are staggering: Recent data paints a revealing picture: based on a survey of 2,500 metropolitan households in Australia, each dispose of an average of 24kg of furniture annually. When you extrapolate these numbers to account for the Greater Sydney Region's 2 million households, the figures are staggering:Every year, 48,000 tonnes of furniture are discarded at the curb. This includes 800,000 three-seater sofas, 1.65 million dining tables, 3.4 million coffee tables, and a staggering 6.85 million chairs and this doesn’t even account for beds, bedsides and chests of drawers! Let's talk about the elephant in the roomAustralia's inclination towards cheap, mass-produced furniture significantly contributes to the country's furniture waste. While these items are accessible and affordable, about 85% of such furniture ends up directly in landfills mostly because they are made to last a couple of years with a short shelf life rather than lasting a lifetime.Furthermore, companies like IKEA, leading the flatpack furniture trend, have become synonymous with this mass-production model.   So How does being Australian Made change things?  Amidst the grim numbers, there's a positive trend: Australian customers have shown a growing interest in purchasing furniture that is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and durable. They value high-quality materials and craftsmanship, and are willing to invest in furniture that will last for a long time.We believe that consumer choices can drive further change if the perceptions around furniture could just shift back to ‘the good old days’ where things were built to last.This is what our furniture offers you: handcrafted by makers that use age-old techniques fully constructed and not flat packed, which means it is strong and durable 10 year furniture warranty, but in reality the items are built to last and are created to be handed down and/or reused again and again well designed which mens it can be adapted through changing trends come with clear specifications so there is transparency on every item. Australian timbers for the Australian environment. Opportunity to teach your kids . . .We believe that your decisions and choices around childrens furniture presents the opportunity to teach the next generation about your preference for better quality furniture. By doing so, we can educate our children that the practice of buying today and disposing of tomorrow is a wasteful lifestyle that we should avoid.If we're to leave behind a better planet for future generations, addressing furniture waste is one step among many, but a crucial one. After all, as the data shows, every chair, table, sofa, bed and bedside counts!  

In today’s fast-paced world, it can be hard to keep track of everything that needs to be done. With kids running around, school events to attend, and extracurricular activities, it’s easy to get overwhelmed and lose track of important dates and reminders. That’s where pinboards come in!   Pinboards, or bulletin boards, have been a popular organizational tool for years. They provide a central location to keep important notices, reminders, and schedules visible and accessible. However, traditional pinboards can be heavy, difficult to install, and limited in size and colour options.   Luckily, there are now lightweight and easy-to-install pinboards on the market that offer more flexibility and versatility. These new pinboards are available in a range of colours and sizes, and many are designed to be peel-and-stick for easy installation.   One of the biggest advantages of these new pinboards is their portability. With their lightweight design, they can easily be moved from room to room, making them perfect for families on the go. Additionally, their peel-and-stick design allows for easy customization and repositioning without damaging walls or surfaces.   By keeping a pinboard in a central location in your home, you can ensure that important dates and reminders are always visible. Whether it’s school events, sports practices, or extracurricular activities, you’ll never miss another important date with your kids. Plus, having a centralized location for all these reminders and notices can help keep your home organized and running smoothly.   In conclusion, if you’re looking for an easy and effective way to keep your family organized, consider investing in a lightweight, peel-and-stick pinboard. With a range of colours and sizes available, you’re sure to find one that fits your family’s needs and style. By keeping important dates and reminders in a central location, you’ll be able to stay on top of your busy schedule and never miss a beat with your kids.

From bookcases to rugs, there is a 'how to' for everything that makes sense to make your life easier. Over the years we've learned a few tips that you may find helpful in your home - here are some of our favourites! How to fold clothing to keep them tidy It may be traditional to lay folded items on top of each other. However, professional organizers use a different method called file folding which means that you fold everything upright.  This will prevent your kids from rummaging and allow them to see all of their items at once in their kids drawers.  How to style a bookcase like a professional stylist Begin by mixing up the contents of your childrens bookcase to include books but trophies, trinkets and constructions ie.lego. Use the top shelves to arrange the SPECIAL things and take your time to display them. Play around with different heights and mix up the books with other items so it is visually pleasing (as your eye will be drawn to these levels first). As long the top shelves look eye-catching and neat, the state of the rest of the bookcase will not be so obvious.  A simple way to tidy kid's bedrooms Our 101 tip for tidying a kid's room is simple - and NOTHING should be on the floor. When items are on the floor and jammed in corners, the room looks cluttered. There are many ways to avoid the floor but one of the simplest solutions is to utilise the wall space to hang things up. The humble HOOK is all you need to hang items such as jackets, hats and bags and in a set of 3, they create a feature that looks good as well. A simple way to HIDE mess from nosey neighboursThis tip is done with a sleight of hand and not much else. Reconfigure the room so that your kid's messiest wall, ie. the kids desk space (where they love to dump stuff), is behind you as you look in. We suggest putting the BED in the most visible place so that, once the bed is made and as you glance in, the room will appear tidy. We call this BLIND SPOTTING. Arrange your kid's bookcase in colour combinations This is so quick and easy and does not take any skill at all - you could even get the kids to help you. We have found also that kids are inclined to put the books back, after use, with their same colours as it's visually pleasing. Also, if you wanted to take this one step further, you could also arrange the books in height order either ascending or descending.

Moving your child from a cot to a bed can be a challenging experience for both parents and children. However, with a few simple tips, the transition can be made smoothly and without any anxiety. Tip #1Involve your child in the process of sourcing their new big kids bed. Take your child shopping with you and let them view different bed and bedroom furniture options. However, keep the options limited to 1-2 to avoid confusion. By involving them in the process, they will feel excited and anticipate the arrival of their new kids' bed. Discuss the purchase and the shopping experience until it arrives to build excitement and anticipation in your child. Tip #2When transitioning to a new bedroom, it's important to keep a few of their current belongings to maintain consistency and ensure a smoother transition. Keeping key pieces such as their favourite toy, comforting night light, or mobile can remind them that they are still in a familiar environment and keep them comforted. To avoid confusion, limit the number of options and ask them what they would like to keep. A baby teddy is always a great choice and can help soothe any anxiety they may have about the move. Tip #3Reward your child for this big brave move from cot to bed. Throw a "big bed party" to celebrate their transition from a baby to a big kid. This can be an emotional time for both the parent and the child, as the era of being a "baby" is over. However, keeping the celebration positive and joyful can make the most of this transition. Tip #4 Purchase something simple and stylish. When buying children’s furniture, it's important to think about the long-term. Ask yourself if you can imagine your child using this item when they're 2 years old or 22 years old. To avoid a major changeover, look for enduring design and quality-built furniture. Our philosophy is that you should be able to purchase a kid’s bed, for instance, that is built to last that, with a few dress changes can transition your child throughout their growing year. Further, if you also select a timeless and versatile design, you'll get more value for your money and your child will have a stylish room that can grow with them. Tip #5Purchase Quality Furniture for Kids. Kids are energetic and love to jump on beds, even though it's a big no-no in our house (but I still know it happens). While high-quality furniture may cost more initially, it will pay off in the long run as you won't have to replace it down the line. When purchasing, look for a good warranty that covers any structural breakdown within a specific period. This will give you peace of mind and allow you to teach your kids about responsible purchasing and the importance of caring for the environment. Investing in long-term key pieces such as a bed, bedside table, and chest of drawers can create a stable environment for your child to grow up in. While they can update their bedding, walls, and floors to suit their age and changing needs, having durable and sturdy furniture can provide a retreat at the end of a hard day. Tip #6Talk it up. The transition from baby to big boy/girl is a significant milestone for your child, and it's important to recognize the impact it may have on them. You can use a puppet or a children's book on this subject to help you discuss it with your child. You'll be surprised at what your child might share with a puppet that they might not normally share with you. This approach worked wonders for me! Tip #7Shopping for Fun Items. This tip is all about buying fun items like kids bedding, cushions, lamps, lights, artwork, and rugs for the floor. It's a great opportunity to encourage your kids' personalities to shine, especially if they didn't have a say in choosing their bed/furniture. Talk to your child about the colour scheme and include their favourite colour or a theme, like animals or ballerinas, that they would like to have. This will give you a framework to design your room around. It's a good idea to make this a separate outing from buying the furniture, as trying to do both at the same time may be too overwhelming for toddlers.

From the bottom of our hearts, we'd like to thank you for collaborating with us over the years to enhance your homes with our collection of furniture and interiors. Your unwavering support for our humble Australian brand has deeply touched us.To show our genuine gratitude, we're thrilled to offer a FREE gift with each full-priced purchase. Even though it's a simple gesture, it's filled with heartfelt thanks. As we joyfully look forward to 2024, we're excited to usher in a new era of giving back, particularly to our loyal and regular customers. Your support has meant the world to us!    The Pea Hub – the ultimate solution to all your charging children’s devices. This innovative multiple channel hub is an absolute game-changer that your kids will love. Never again will they have to worry about running low on battery with this compact strip of peas that allows you to recharge multiple devices at once. Whether you're at home, on-the-go, or traveling, the Pea Hub ensures that your devices are always charged and ready for use. Don't miss out on this must-have gadget that will make your life simpler and more convenient! Shop Pea Hub here

We've got more exciting news to share!Adding to our furniture collections we now have 7 colours for you to choose from. Our newest furniture colour pick is an ivory colour called Ecru. This is a neutral colour that will add warmth to kids' interiors. It resembles the colour of clotted cream and offers a beautiful alternative to white. This light stone colour, with a touch of grey, is the perfect tone for your kid's bedroom. Paired with olive this will create a sophisticated look for a teenager or paired with light cocoa hues, to create a cozy and warm atmosphere for all ages. We have incorporated this gorgeous colour into our Colour Box Furniture Collection  (see Colour Box Chest of Drawers above), Scoop Furniture Collection and Ned Furntiure Collection.

CREATE a space that will encourage your kids to learn . . . We believe that designing the perfect learning space where a child can learn fosters wellbeing and a healthy mind. When designing learning spaces, our aim is to create an organised environment. Free from clutter and distraction, kids will want to use their space and enjoy making it their own.Using the basic building blocks of a kid's desk, chair, lighting, bookcase and a frameless pinboard to pin up all the notices and reminders like a pinboard is all you need to make this happen.Design your own colour scheme around your kid's character and add some personal touches.     TIP #1 A kids' DESK is most important for easy learning. Choosing the right sized desk will depend on the size of the space as well as your kid's needs. As laptops have superseded encyclopedia's, the demand for a big desk has decreased. TIP #2A good desk CHAIR is the second piece of furniture vital to both a child's comfort and posture, making it easier to learn. An upholstered seat is a very comfortable option and a gas lift chair is a great investment as it allows the child to adjust their seat as they grow. TIP #3A BOOKCASE is a vital piece to keep the learning space organised as well as have resources easily accesible for kids. The bookcase cavities themselves are not only handy for books, but folders and notes that can easily take up valuable desk space. TIP #1Look for the right desk light to help your kids see the work they are focused on. The best lights are lamps which have the ability to be adjusted and swivel so that the light itself can be focused directly onto the task at hand. TIP #2Use a 60 to 80 watt light bulb for detail oriented tasks. Avoid cool flourescent bulbs that emit harsh lighting that can strain kid's eyes and can cause tiredness. Opt for warm halogen bulbs that are close to natural daylight and place less strain on kid's eyes. TIP #3To find the right bedside light to read by, look for a lamp which emits a diffused light through a shade or one where the light is focused away from the face. Use a warm 40W globe which will emit a subdued light to reduce the stimulation of a bright light. TIP #1One of the best concepts for kid's learning spaces are PIN BOARDS. Hang artwork, awards, reminders and photos to keep the desk clutter free. TIP #2PENCIL POTS are an invaluable way to keep pens and pencils neatly contained and readily accessible. Ina range of colours and sizes to suit your kid's colour theme, it's a little item that can not only beautify the desk, but serve to keep the desk neat and tidy. TIP #3 STORAGE BOXES are a great way to categorise kid's bits and pieces into organised bliss. The idea is to assist kid's desks to be as clutter free as possible to reduce distraction and have everything in its right place. Look for baskets that are colourful and not too big, so kids can sort their items into categories. Photo features: Curved Rectangle Pinboard Lilac | Scoop Desk  

Are you looking for a versatile and stylish addition to your child's bedroom? Look no further than denim! Just like your favorite pair of jeans, denim goes with just about anything and looks great with any color you pair it with. We recently paired a denim pinboard and bedding with tan to create a fabulous kids' bedroom finish and received some amazing feedback when we showcased it at the Design Made Australia trade show in Melbourne. We believe this is a great look for a young teen bedroom that can transition right up through high school. In addition to its great looks, denim is also a practical choice for kids interiors. We believe that a pinboard is one of the best concepts for kids interiors, perfect for pinning up artwork or above a kids' desk to pin school events and reminders. And now, we're excited to introduce our latest color - denim! The blue hue has a wide application for kids interiors and can be used in a variety of creative ways. So if you're looking for a stylish and practical addition to your child's bedroom, consider incorporating denim into the design. With its versatility and timeless appeal, you can't go wrong! To be inspired by a dreamy denim kids bedroom look, see our design board below.    Curved Rectangle Round Skater Soccer Speech Bubble Thought Bubble Splat

Lilly & Lolly work with talented interior designers across Australia.One of our Sydney based designers, Amy Smith from Smith & Co. Interiors created this amazing shared bedroom for Miss 4 and Miss 7.Read below how she created this gorgeous eye-popping space! About Amy...I’ve always loved textiles and design, prior to interiors I studied and worked in the clothing industry in Melbourne. Returning to my hometown of Brisbane in 2009 compelled me to leave the rag trade and I found myself in a national décor role, developing and selling building products for an acrylic manufacturer. I have been able to hone my skills and assist clients....and achieve spaces they love to live in. At this stage my husband (a builder) and I started renovating and selling our own properties. This process sparked my real interest in interiors and appreciate how important effective lighting, colours, shapes and design is to a space. Through further studies, I have been able to hone my skills and assist clients streamline the design process and achieve spaces they love to live in. What draws you to design spaces for kids? Creativity and imagination can be limitless when designing a kid’s room. I love being able to mix a variety of colours and patterns, tailoring it to each child’s personality and interests. What Amy says about this room... Created for two sweet sisters (Miss 4 and Miss 7) sharing a room for at least the next 12 months. The bedroom already had built in robes and was approximately 3.4 x 4m in size. The clients were after something girly but sophisticated enough to still inspire them into their early teenage years. When designing kids bedrooms what is important to you...Not to be overwhelming. There’s a fine line between injecting playfulness whist not being chaotic. Everyone wants their child to feel safe and ultimately calm when they put them to bed at night. Too much clutter does not promote restfulness for little people, so we always want a space that is soft and relaxing for children. What are the current trends for kid's bedrooms?Happy to say we are seeing less whimsical and pastels. Bunk beds are very popular and a great way to create extra space for a desk or beanbag. Universally kids love seeing their own art or awards on display in their rooms, so pinboards or bookcases continue to be integrated. Is it important to create a space that kid's can grow in?Yes and no. Client’s are realistic with the different stages their children and therefore their rooms will go through. We always like to get some longevity out of larger investment pieces like beds and drawers, however decorative elements will be interchangeable and adapt as their child matures and their interests change. Room features: Lilly & Lolly's King Single Beds (Charlie Upholstered Bed | Augustus fabric) & Charlie Bedsides (Whitewash). If you want to have a beautifully designed space for your kids contact Amy Smith. studio@smithandcointeriors.com.au Photography @jacquelinewhytephotographer