Meet Laura Varsanyi: the Canberra designer behind Instagram's favourite cushions

As a self-described “born and bred” Canberran, Laura Varsanyi has been contributing to the fabric of Canberra’s creative fold for more than 10 years.

Starting The Creative Muster, a DIY blog turned online handmade product store, as both a side hustle and outlet for creative expression, Varsanyi makes and creates the items she loves but can’t find anywhere else. 

“The things that I make, they are always things I want to buy but I can’t find them. So, about 10 years ago, I thought “well if I want that, other people might want that too” and I began to make them.” Varsanyi says.

“Now having this business, it goes to show how many people there are in the world and how many people want what you’re creating.”

Like many artists, movers, and shakers, Varsanyi’s creation process evolves naturally, organically and holistically. From seeing something online to filling a gap in her home that’s crying out for a little extra TLC, her products are an extension of personal desire. 

Luckily for us, she’s peppered with altruism and makes her designs available to purchase. And no product has been more well-loved or coveted than the ball cushion.

A sweet, spherical structure that’s wrapped in trending fabrics like boucle or vintage textiles, these small but significant cushions are like a breath of fresh air to spaces that are inundated with hard lines and sharp surfaces.

“They’re the embodiment of a hug. You hold it, it fits into the curve of your arm, kind of becoming a moveable armrest,” Varsanyi says

“They are a little bit different, and there is an element of sculpture to them being handcrafted. But having a circular shape like this provides contrast and interest to otherwise hard and rigid rooms.”

Even though Varsanyi’s ball cushions have donned the pages of magazines like Real Living, and danced across social media posts from the interior obsessed, she’s not packing away the boucle just yet. 

While Varsanyi will always follow the pings of inspiration that lead to unique and useful products, The Creative Muster is heading into a new age of individual and community development.

“One of the things I want to move into eventually is helping people create their own business,” Varsanyi says. 

“I’m starting The Muster Class for people to figure out how to move past their mental blocks and the things that are stopping them from doing what they want. Providing information I’ve learnt along the way starting my own small business and sharing all the ins and out.”

With her keen eye for design and all the business know-how, Varsanyi will make a creative out of us all.