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The perspex boxes that are like tapas for furniture

May 1, 2012

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When I first saw Georgia Ezra’s perspex, customisable furniture, I fell in love with it immediately and had to find out more. Little did I know the young designer behind the CAJA brand would also turn out to be a trapeze artist! Seriously cool, no?

Georgia, 25, studied at UNSW and graduated with a Bachelor of Interior Architecture, first-degree honors. The following year, she moved to Melbourne for her first job, where she completed many award-winning designs, one of which (Suds Launderette) was shortlisted in the 2011 IDA Awards. Then in November last year she went out on her own and started up G.A.B.B.E Interior Design, a multidisciplinary practice, which prides itself on a creative approach. “I always explore ways to look outside the conventional box,” she says. “I concentrate largely on custom made design, placing incredible attention to detail.”

Being a trapeze artist, she says the colours, costumes and choreography of Cirque de Soleil inspire her. She is also influenced by the 10 months she spent living in Spain. “I am absolutely influenced by European culture. I draw Inspirations in all my designs โ€“ interior and furniture. I am incredibly passionate about textures, colours and art.”

Her original perspex bookcase design, Camouflage, was inspired by the illusion of books piled one on top of the other with no support system. “As the books are consciously organised in a shifted manner by a hidden system, there is a sense of structured and controlled chaos. The image of the stacked books draws a strong sense of visual aesthetic and thus it was felt necessary to house the books by a perspex box, framing the beauty of the ordered book spines,” she explains. “As the product is constructed for the placement and stacking of books, it mainly acts as a bookshelf. The size, form and thickness of the perspex structure allow it to take on other functions too.” An artwork and display unit in itself, the unit also works as seating, bedside tables or occasional side tables.

Going out on her own brought with it “a whirlwind of thoughts” about how to extend and push her CAJA furniture line. It was then Georgia came up with the idea of adding mix and match lids to the perspex boxes. “An important element that I wanted to transpire was a sense of versatility and client ownership. I specifically wanted the buyer to be able feel that they could take part in the design of their own unit and have the freedom to mix match and change their piece to reflect their style, lifestyle, space etc,” she says.

“I was fascinated by the mix between the sleek and modern appearance of perspex and the warmth and exciting quality of the wood and bright lid colours. I was even more fascinated by the idea of inserting varying homewares into these lids โ€“ the beauty of their profile – which is exposed through the perspex, and their aerial plan โ€“ looking down. There is a sense of illusion as the inserts hang from the lids.”

Her Spanish influence led her to name the range El Tapar, meaning lid. “The word tapas stems from the noun el tapar and so each lid option and insert almost serves as an individual tapas option,” says Georgia.

She loves working with perspex. “The beauty of it is the space and/or the books placed in the unit direct the aesthetic of the furniture. If you place it in either a contemporary or a traditional house the unit will ultimately take on the style which surrounds it. In addition, the style, subject and colour scheme of the books used in the perspex absolutely direct and shape its appearance.” One client wanted a grey, yellow and black room, so Georgia filled two side tables with National Geographic magazines! “It looked sensational!”

The young designer, whose target markets are homeowners and event planners, has had a fantastic reaction so far with some impressive CAJA stockists on board such as top3 by design and fenton&fenton. The most popular design is from the El Tapar range (Lid Option 4/5 โ€“ with the vase insert).

Being an Australian made product is incredibly important. “I strongly believe in supporting local trade and having full quality control on manufacture. Incredible effort has been made to select the best manufacturers of each of the different parts that make up the whole that will provide me the quality and standard that I require.” She adds: “When you have a beautiful product where the details have been successfully translated all the way through from design to the final product, this coming together is far more important to get 100% right. As a result the client will walk away with a unique product of an incredibly high standard.”

While CAJA Design is still just Georgia, she is excited about the potential to grow and expand, and if the positive reaction continues, I’m sure she’ll be hiring before too long.

Find a full list of stockists at the CAJA Design website. Georgia will be at Design Made Trade in Melbourne in July. What do you think of this new concept?

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The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_ho The renovation of this 80s beach shack @camillo_house is a work of art and while almost every surface was updated, the decision to keep the original slate floor was genius if you ask us. 

Owner @clarehillier__ says: "With its purple, pink, red and brown tones, the slate was the starting point for our interior palette."

Come and check out the before and afters via link in bio now and read the reno story. It's a real beauty.

And you can book it for your next holiday too!

Blair Smith Architecture @kateshanasy

#slatefloor #slatefloors #80shouse #80sbeauty #camillohouse #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #realreno #holidayhousesofinstagram #morningtonpeninsulahomes #morningtonpeninsula #morningtonpeninsulasmallbusiness #blairgowrie #blairgowriebeach #airbnbstyle
Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks Hello friends! Just thought I'd say hi. Two weeks since leaving hospital and I'm doing much better than I expected to be at this early stage. A long recovery road ahead but making progress in how much I can move my arm and although I drag myself through some days non-stop yawning, others I can go for a little walk or out for lunch before collapsing on the couch! I can now tie my own hair back and put on a real bra which is very exciting ๐Ÿคฃ Having my bestie here to help us with the boys, drive me places and just be brilliant positive company is the best thing I could have asked for not to mention the many Dinner Ladies vouchers from friends! Thanks for all your kind messages, cards, flowers, gifts and offers of help โค๏ธ
I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping I definitely feel like a statistic now but hoping to raise some awareness off the back of my misfortune (and also very lucky escape).

@newsouthwaleshealth have just put out this warning about a rise in serious bacterial infections. iGAS (invasive group A streptococcus) is what caused my necrotising fasciitis and sepsis.

Apparently there's similar happening in VIC too.

It's extremely rare but very serious nonetheless so please have a read and be aware of symptoms. I've linked to the article from a button via my link in bio.

#interiorsaddict #jenbishop #necrotisingfasciitis #groupastrep #groupastreptococcus #sepsis
While new technologies continue to shape the inter While new technologies continue to shape the interior design scene, one that has been getting a fair bit of traction of late isย marble-look porcelain. A cheaper alternative to natural stone, the latest printed porcelain tile technology makes it difficult to distinguish from the real thing.

Founded by husband and wife duo Anton and Rita Bourtsev, Sydneyโ€™s @kaolintiles has a unique offering in this space with over 100 different marble-look tile designs in small and large formats.

More via link in bio now.

#porcelain #porcelaintile #porcelaintiles #largeformattiles #largeformattile #marblelooktiles #bathroomtrends2023 #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #heartyourhome #realrenovations #goldsink #brasssink #jenbishop #kaolin #kaolintiles #interiorsblog #interiorsblogger
Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I Promise this is the last wretched hospital photo I'll post and I hope to be home and with my lippie back on by Monday. You know it's serious when I'm lipstick free, right?!

This was about a week ago in intensive care. And although my arm is still bloody sore I'm now on a normal ward and no longer attached to any drips, drains or a catheter. I've come a long way.

This has been the most physical and mental challenge of my life but I'm through the worst. I kept my arm. The doctors saved my life.

I cannot say it enough times. If you're worried about your health, don't hang around. Things can change so quickly. 

A huge thanks to my amazing husband @damianfrancis We've had the hardest year yet and our marriage has never been stronger, even if my rings did get cut off my finger in hospital ๐Ÿ˜œ

As great of a job as he is doing at home with the kids, I cannot wait to get home now. Countdown is on to a new year and a fresh start.

And I can't say enough just how overwhelmingly grateful I am to all the medical professionals involved in my care, from the @healthdirectaus nurse who sent me to Emergency to the exceptional surgeons, doctors, nurses and support staff.

Happy New Year, everyone. Remember you never know what's around the corner and this is not a dress rehearsal!

And huge thank you for all your kindness here. Has been amazing while stuck in bed.

Xxx

For those who missed it, I was unlucky enough to get necrotising fasciitis. You'll have to Google it.
The unluckiest girl or the luckiest? Day 6 in int The unluckiest girl or the luckiest?

Day 6 in intensive care after suddenly coming down with a very serious necrotising fasciitis in my elbow on Sunday. Four operations later (with more to come) I'm out of the woods, alive and have my arm. But I won't be going home until after Christmas. Also picked up a bonus bit of pneumonia to keep things interesting.

I won't lie. This has been super super hard but I feel extremely lucky nonetheless. Have come across some exceptional surgeons, anaesthetists, doctors and nurses who have been incredibly kind at my most vulnerable as well as great at their jobs. I'm really grateful. Huge thank you to my amazing husband who is holding down the fort with the help and cooking of our wonderful friends. And to friends who check in, send love, flowers, snacks and sushi, I will never forget it.

Of course I will be sad tomorrow but my boys can visit and we will have another Christmas next month.

I'll leave you with this. Never ever ignore those health niggles. @healthdirectaus is always a great starting point.

Wishing you all a merry Christmas and will enjoy everyone else's celebrations on here with only a hint of bitterness ๐Ÿ˜‰

PS. Does this win the most unflattering photo of me ever published? I think so! No lippy for a WEEK.
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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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Comments

  1. AvatarNasim says

    May 1, 2012 at 10:32 am

    I have seen these before, I’m a big fan. I love how the perspex is so simple but can fit well with any interior. Georgia is a very talented designer

  2. AvatarMica says

    May 1, 2012 at 12:07 pm

    Amazing story behind a gorgeous, and well designed product!!
    I cannot wait to own one!!!

  3. AvatarLauren says

    May 1, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    Th El Tapar range is fantastic! Congratulations on such innovative desgin.

  4. Avatarnaomi says

    May 1, 2012 at 9:06 pm

    Amazing product, great feature Jen! I love then Georgia!

    • AvatarGeorgia Ezra says

      May 14, 2012 at 11:46 am

      Thanks Naomi! Like CAJA on Fbook this month to receive special trade prices on ANY CAJA product!
      Email me; [email protected] for the promotional code and pricing!

  5. AvatarGil says

    May 2, 2012 at 8:22 pm

    Wow, what a brilliantly creative idea. I love that they would fit as perfectly in an ornate dining room as they would in a fun family room. Really impressive and a good find for the blog!

  6. AvatarJulie says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:23 am

    Wonderful and unique items. Where can I find the El Tapas with the vase insert in Melbourne?

    • Avatarinteriorsaddict says

      August 6, 2012 at 11:24 am

      You can buy online at inadesignerhome.com.au

  7. AvatarJulie says

    August 6, 2012 at 11:39 am

    Thanks

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