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The perspex boxes that are like tapas for furniture

By Jen Bishop •

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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 – 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 – the beauty of their profile – which is exposed through the perspex, and their aerial plan – 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 – 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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May 1, 2012

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SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

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Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! 😍)

Annie’s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). “I made it in tribute to Australia and I’m thrilled to say that’s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. It’s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green that’s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.”

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
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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 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Reader Interactions

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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