New to TVM this Sunday 16 September is Kate Lardner and her homewares stall, The Miniature Treasury - a collection of beautiful pieces for the nursery, designed to be passed on for years to come.
TVM: How did your business come about?
KL: Before The Miniature Treasury, I studied Interior Design and worked for a designer/online furniture retailer. I learned a lot from my mentor who taught me all things to do with design, the world of online business and websites and importantly, how to be a business woman with kindness.
What made your pursue your creative passion?
I've always been creative but was terrible at painting and art! I never knew how to channel my creativity until I started studying Interior Design. It just flowed naturally and the passion for beautiful objects grew; constantly admiring and finding unique items. Throw in the mix of motherhood and the concept of furniture design flowed even more naturally.
What does your brand consist of?
The brand consists of cane baby change tables, clothing racks, baby mobile and child's chair. These pieces, especially the change tables, are designed to be heirlooms; pieces that have accumulated love stories of childhood, memories represented in a change table, so when they are passed down to the next gen and the next, all the memories that go with it will be remembered too.
Where is the label designed and made?
Everything is hand-drawn and designed by me here in Burleigh Heads, then are made by local families in a community just outside of Java, Indonesia.
What inspires you?
Love inspires me! To pass down the memories of love, to be the owner of a piece that tells stories of people past, of FAMILY past... it brings us all closer and instills the importance to treasure these heirlooms that actually mean something.
Things that have a story are dear to my heart. If you can point at something in your home and tell a story of where it's been and what it represents... that's pretty special.
What are your plans for the brand and where do you hope it takes you?
The Miniature Treasury will hopefully continue to grow and while our change tables will be our main focus, our range will also continue to grow. I hope that we speak to people's heart and designer eyes and our range will bless the nurseries of mums all over Australia.
What were the biggest challenges when launching your brand?
How to start! How to brand, how to speak consistently, how to get us known.
What is the best thing about having your own business?
Something to put passion into besides my family; something for me.
Kate and The Miniature Treasury will be at TVM on Sunday 16 September and you can connect with the brand online, here:
Instagram
Website
