The Design Files launches Australian made homewares range, Goods

Australia’s most popular design blog The Design Files has launched a homewares label showcasing the handmade works of local creatives.

Titled “Goods”, the label is an ongoing collaboration between The Design Files and Melbourne textile design studio Bonnie and Neil. Together, the parties will release three homeware collections a year, each featuring the work of a notable Australian artist or creative.

For Lucy Feagins, editor and founder of The Design Files, the idea of developing her own product range began two years ago.

“It wasn’t until I had a good chat with local designer Bonnie Ashley of Bonnie and Neil that it actually felt like something achievable,” Feagins says.

“Bonnie’s years of experience in product design and development and her passion for Australian manufacturing made her the perfect person to collaborate with to bring this idea to life.”

The featured artist of Goods’ debut collection is Elizabeth Barnett, whose work has been featured numerous times on The Design Files.

“We knew we had to launch our first collection with an artist our readers already know and love,” Feagins says.

“We first featured her work on The Design Files back in 2012 … Her style has really refined since then and she’s gathered an enormous following in the past few years.”

Each of the collection’s 11 pieces features Barnett’s illustrations inspired by the colourful flora and lush plant life of her home in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges.

“Her painterly aesthetic and floral motifs are perfectly suited to a textile design application and she really surprised us with her skill hand painting all the ceramics,” Feagins says.

The entire Goods collection has been made in Melbourne in limited numbers. The Robert Gordon Australia ceramics have been hand painted by Barnett, with the textiles for the napkins, cushions and tablecloth all hand screen printed by the Bonnie and Neil team.

“Having championed so many local artists and designers since launching The Design Files in 2008, it was really important for me to start Goods with a commitment to design and make our product locally,” Feagins says.

“It has allowed me to be closely involved with product development and quality control, checking the process at every stage, and even hand painting some of the ceramics with Elizabeth!”

The Robert Gordon Australia ceramics have been hand painted by Barnett.
Photo: Eve Wilson

The process has also provided Feagins with a greater insight into the lives of local makers whose work is regularly featured on The Design Files.

“I have a newfound respect for the vision it takes to simply design and make a new product from scratch,” she says.

Along with new artists, future Goods collections will see the label spread its wings to offer a broader product range such as bed linen and floor rugs.

“I want to be flexible and adapt future collections based on the varied aesthetics of the artists and creatives we collaborate with,” Feagins says.

“A range with artist Cressida Campbell would be a dream come true!”

Goods’ debut collection is available to purchase now via the Bonnie and Neil website.

The collection will also be sold at a weekend pop-up shop running November 12-13 at 14 Little Oxford Street, Collingwood.