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A fashionable life with Ivy & Piper

April 28, 2012

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Interior, homewares and fashion designers as well as magazine publishers. Life is very busy and wonderfully creative for Elizabeth Raptis and Melanie Parker, the friends behind the Ivy & Piper brand.

And if ever there was a case of studio envy it is now. Just check out the pictures of their colourful Brisbane HQ and it is immediately obvious Melanie once worked under Queensland design legend Anna Spiro.

The pair met at design college where they were always being split up for talking in class! They headed off on separate career paths, remaining close friends. Elizabeth started her own design business Raptis Creative and Melanie worked for renowned Brisbane designers Nikki Parris and then, for over three years, Anna Spiro. “Our business partnership came later over one of our regular coffee catch ups,” says Elizabeth. “We were discussing our passion for interiors. Pretty soon we realised our dreams were identical so we decided to pair up.”

They often joke that Ivy & Piper are their aliases. “The name of our business represents our style. We wanted something that was classic as we love traditional details and classic lines in our interiors and this is where Ivy came from,” says Melanie. “The Piper part of our business name is where the young, fresh and modern twist comes in. We always like to mix up the classic with a bold dose of colour or vibrant pattern to take the look to a new dimension.”

Melanie admits that with so much on their plate, life does get crazy. “But all our projects are based on our common love of interior design and firmly rooted in our distinctive aesthetic. We set out with a product focus. We wanted to create a line of gorgeous, glamorous and affordable homewares for ‘a fashionable life’. We found soon enough the people that loved our products wanted to take us home to put the look together for them, so we run a design consultancy. Naturally, from both of these, the fabrics have come to fruition. Stay tuned as we have more stunning designs and wallpapers coming!”


Their homewares collection was born out of wanting to meet the gap in the market for gorgeous designer homewares at an affordable price. “We have worked really hard to design and manufacture a unique collection of versatile fabrics, cushions, candles and lighting so far,” says Melanie. “We are inspired by colour, glamour, classicism, Chinoiserie, pattern and bold passion. We feel the collection brings all of this to our clients.”

Ivy & Piper the online magazine came as the result of a business coaching session where they were discussing the lack of local publications featuring interiors with a classic, glamorous and vibrant aesthetic. They published the first issue in late 2010 after months of planning. “It is great to see the progression of our magazine and as with any project, it is an ever evolving beauty full of our blood, sweat and tears,” says Elizabeth.

The pair believe working where they do gives them a special kind of freedom. “Brisbane has a vibrant and fresh take on interiors which in part is due to our fab climate but mostly we think it is because Brisbane is still emerging as a large city compared to our southern counterparts,” says Melanie. “This means we don’t take ourselves too seriously and as we aren’t tied to tradition. We are not afraid to have some fun with our homes.”

And as if they didn’t have their fingers in enough pies, the girls were recently asked to collaborate with Australian sleepwear label Jasmine & Will to create some pyjamas. “We used our ‘Don’t Fret’ trellis print in pink on white background and are ecstatic with the result. They are so stylish and possibly the most comfortable pyjamas ever!”

Melanie says she learnt a lot from her time working with Spiro. “She is a very creative woman and perhaps my most important lesson was to trust in my style and be bold with it. At a time when there was a lot of neutral around, Anna encouraged me to embrace my love of colour and pattern and be confident to use it in my work. These common interests in design are why Black and Spiro was the perfect match for me for so many years.”

With several new fabric designs in the pipeline and plans to grow and expand their product lines, client portfolio and magazine, these two won’t be resting on their fashionable laurels any time soon.

The Ivy & Piper HQ feauturing Ivy & Piper cushions, fabric and light

Ivy & Piper collaborated with sleepwear label Jasmine & Will.

Keep an eye on the girls’ blog for the latest news.

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Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into Charlie doesn't recommend running head first into tiled steps 🤕

Oh what a night. Thankfully Hornsby Hospital were as amazing as always and we avoided stitches. All taped and glued  back together and now to keep him calm for the next few days (🤪) and watch for signs of concussion. 

Bravest little patient ever. Yes I've had a 🍷

Funny how we go into super organised mama mode in times like these. Grabbed dinosaurs, textas and scrapbook on the way out in case we had a long wait!
Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressi Australian made bathroomware is seriously impressive!

The new @studio.xox ONLY sells Australian brands. Like @nood_co coloured basins, lead-free eco brass from @faucetstrommen and @lindseywherrett's  ceramic basins made by hand in Tassie.

And as for their Sydney showroom (they also sell online): WOW.

See and read more on the blog now via link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop
#creatingbeautifulspaces #homestylingdesign
#designbywomen #homestylingtips #sydneycreatives
#homestylingsydney #interiorstyling #interiordesignsydney
#everydaydesign #interiortrends #renovationinspiration
#homedesigninspo #lovemyhome #stylingdetails
#loveinteriors #homeimprovements #interiordesignaustralia
#dreamhomeinspiration #homemakeover #personaldesign
#interiordesignaus #creatingbeautifulspaces
#creativehomes #housestyling #sydneyhomes
#interiorinspiration #myhomedesign
I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new I'm THRILLED to be an ambassador for the brand new @madeinaustshow in Sydney this August.

🦘🐨Forget every tacky association you ever had about touristy Australian made and prepare to see a showcase of the best of home, lifestyle, fashion and beauty made right here. If the pandemic has made you appreciate buying local even more, this is for you.

It's the first business to business trade event connecting retailers with Australian made products to champion our local makers🙏

Apply to exhibit or find out more at their website, via their bio, now!

Are YOU buying more Australian made post covid?

#madeinaustralia #australianmade #aussiemade #aussiedesign
Do I recommend a timber vanity top? A big fat NOP Do I recommend a timber vanity top?

A big fat NOPE! 💧 

Which is why we have recently covered ours with a Caesarstone top (thanks to @justinplace_sydney for the advice and supply) and the sweet RELIEF of not having to worry about this high traffic area anymore, I'm telling you!🤗

Doesn't matter what they tell you or how many times it's sealed, I'm not sure it's a great idea in a room which is so, well, wet!

I love having the warmth of timber in the bathroom and it's a beautiful piece, but timber on the top? Never again.

Ours probably lasted a year (if that) before it started to go downhill (and we want a good decade out of a bathroom, right?!). 2.5 years on, everything else in this bathroom looks virtually brand new and the water marked vanity top was really letting the side down and making me sad!

But I'm so pleased with this solution, I have to say! Took the plumber less than an hour to remove the sink, install the top and connect the sink back up. We didn't need to move the tap and it isn't too close to the basin.

The kids are allowed to brush their teeth and wash their hands (liquid soap 🥴) in here again and I can leave my hair straightener on there with gay abandon 😆

The reflective surface (which I can clean with whatever I like!💪🏻) brightens the room up too!

Next week I'll tell you what I really think of my brass tile trim too 😉

#interiorsaddictbathroomreno2 #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #timbervanity
Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than F Is there a more decadent and delicious soup than French onion?

I think not!

Grab the recipe on the blog this morning via link in bio.
Get to know me! I haven't done one of these in YE Get to know me!

I haven't done one of these in YEARS so there's possibly thousands of you who don't know my back story. Here's a few things you may not know about me!

✔️ I'm English 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 and I moved here (just for one year) back in 2008😆 

✔️ I can't end the day without a bath, even if I get home really late or on a really hot day. It's a mental health thing and my happy place. 🛁 

✔️ Before becoming a blogger and running my own small business, I was a journalist from the age of 18. My favourite news gathering times were as a newspaper crime reporter (bit different to interiors!) 📓 

✔️ I once worked at New Scotland Yard in London 🚔 

✔️I had an interview at Oxford (didn't get in!) but chose not to go to uni at all after being offered a job on the local paper #universityoflife 😁

✔️ My mum died when I was 3, I have an excellent dad and one sister (younger) in the UK ❤️ 🇬🇧 

✔️ At school, my favourite subject was French 🇫🇷 and I was head girl 🤓🤓

✔️ I'm addicted to ☕️ , long hot baths and💄 (been wearing it since I was about 14!)

✔️ I'm not a phonecall person and will never ever pick up an unknown number. Ever. They can leave a message 😁

✔️ My favourite cuisine is Japanese 🍣 🍜 and Damian and I honeymooned in Tokyo and Venice 

✔️ I have zero design qualifications. I just started blogging about my passion, which is trying to persuade everyone to #heartyourhome That was 11 years ago...

✔️ My favourite tipple is a good GnT or🍷 

✔️ Cheesy as it sounds, 💁‍♀️being a mum is my absolute biggest joy in life 🧒👦

✔️ I will never give up my old school paper diary! Has to be A5 and week to view 📖 

✔️ My official surname isn't Bishop. I kept my maiden name for work after I got married but changed it for everything else. Often confuse myself!

✔️ I didn't get my Ps until I was 37 and I'm still a terrible parker 😯 🅿️

Hope you feel like you know me a bit better 😘

📸 @vanlowvanlow
Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 @nood_co coloured con Blue, green or lilac? 🎨 

@nood_co coloured concrete basins is a great Aussie business success story. Although co founder Matt Di Costa first found fame as one half of Matt and Kim on The Block, he hasn't relied on this to build his brand.

“We are very honoured to have been a part of The Block, and all they have done for us. I am, however, a believer in letting the product take centre stage,” he says.

Read our interview with Matt via link in bio now.

🙏Share your favourite colour basin in the comments!

#colouredconcrete #noodco #colouredbasin #blockheads #the block #bathroomtrends2022

Pic 1 by @naibudesign_ and 2 by @twostyleinteriors
I'd love to see more colour in Aussie interiors! I'd love to see more colour in Aussie  interiors! 🎨 

At the end of the day though, it's a matter of personal taste. I love pops of colour but it's not for everyone. 

We couldn't resist featuring this Canadian house tour today. The amazing Kelly Green  hutch (swipe) was an upcycled $200 find 🤗

Head over to the blog via link in bio to see the rest including one of the best playrooms we've seen in ages!

Project by @in.house.design
📸 @philcrozier
Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis o Create an unexpected city oasis with an emphasis on light and nature.

That was the brief for the conversion of a corner shop and a warehouse bakery into a luxury family home in Sydney's Newtown. And how about the library?!

Take the tour of this very special @annacarindesign project on the blog now, via link in bio.

Pic: @justinalexanderphoto
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 8 years. She is married to Damian and mum to Sebastian and Charlie.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. AvatarIvy and Piper says

    April 30, 2012 at 11:38 am

    Hi Jen

    Thank you for the feature! Love it! So pleased you love the studio.

    xx E & M

  2. AvatarHayley says

    June 13, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    Hi ladies,
    I stumbled across your website, or my neighbor did the night my second daughter was born and we named her Piper.they were gob smacked to fined the the names of our girls whom they love dearly are that of your business. And that you too were in Brisbane. Our eldest is Ivy she is now 2 while piper is now 8 months. I am flattered to see how you described the meaning behind each of the names you chose for your business.
    I do enjoy your blog now and wish we could access you website but for some reason it won’t work on the iPad.
    I wish you every continued success.
    H V

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