6 Australian Mother's Day Gift Ideas That She'll Really Want

Stuck for a Mother's Day gift idea? Look to Australian designers and artisans for a gift that supports our local talent and that Mum will really love (or share this list with a loved one for yourself!). Here's what I'd really love for Mother's Day.

Mid-century Pettit and Sevitt home tour

Our love of mid-century architecture drew us to our home - a Pettit + Sevitt house designed by Ken Woolley in Cheltenham, NSW in Sydney's north west - and with a few small tweaks, we made it our own and after six years, have now passed it on to its new owner. Read on for before and after photos, including a fairly dramatic kitchen makeover!

The can't go wrong gift - a Crayon Chick rope necklace. Or bowl. Or wall hanging.

Another great Australian-designed and handmade gift idea! Crayon Chick's Michelle Harvey creates beautiful rope necklaces, bowls, wall hangings, earrings and more in her Melbourne workshop. 

The perfect Aussie Christmas dress from Doops Designs

This is totally my pick for a Christmas dress this year. And for every other day of the year. This is the Cowley Fields design by Doops Designs who handmake beautiful, sustainable, ethical clothes in the Byron Bay hinterland.

Goose and Dust make sustainable kids sunglasses that you'll want too

Here’s a stocking stuffer that will get heaps of use and is recyclable at the end of its life! Aussie designers Goose and Dust make the best sunnies and eyewear for kids that I ever did see.

These cups made from coffee husks make the best Secret Santa gifts

This is my pick for the best Secret Santa gift out there. Aussie designers HuskeeCup create these cups made from coffee husks and have a design award under their belt to boot! They are perfect for your coffee run of course (with matching lids) but great for all liquids; I was introduced to them at a work meeting at a crowd-funding investor’s office, used for water for all the guests. They have a nice feel, look good, and have a great sustainable story.

Loving right now: Australian design favourites June 2018

Brrr. It's getting chilly and I've got my eye on warm knits, texture, stone, pottery mugs for warm cups of chai tea and the mustard, ochre, tobacco and rust tones of late Autumn. These are a few of my favourite Australian design picks for June 2018!

Be inspired by Proteas

My Instagram feed has been full of proteas over the past two weeks! Yes, these lovely blooms are in season, but I've seen them in art and fashion too.

Many of us think they are native to Australia but they're actually from South Africa, where they are also known as Sugarbushes, and according to local tradition, they represent change and hope. They are so well suited to our climate, and work so well with other natives, it's no wonder we've seconded the protea for ourselves.

Here are some of my favourite spottings of proteas in Australia this week:

8 more Australian-designed Mother's Day gift ideas

I couldn't resist putting together another Mother's Day gift guide full of Australian-designed goodies. If edgy is more your style, check out my Gift Guide for Minimalist Mamas. But if you've also got a softer side, like me, here are eight more ideas to pass on to your other half:

8 Australian Mother's Day gift ideas for a minimialist Mama

Mother's Day is really all about cuddles and kisses from little ones and precious time spent with our own mothers. If there's a gift you need to get or a wishlist you're compiling, be inspired by these eight Australian-designed gift ideas that a minimalist Mama would love:

The most divine Australian dolls

If you are looking for a special gift for a special Miss, look no further than our own Australian designers for beautiful handcraft dolls. These are three of the best designs with incredible attention to detail, beautiful fabrics and embellishments.

Carry On Watson art suitcases

I met Catherine Bell, founder of Carry On Watson, at a friend's Christmas party recently and was so impressed with her beautiful suitcases featuring artworks that are real head-turners. Why own a boring suitcase, when you can carry one of these beauties. And never again wonder which luggage is yours at the baggage collection!

Laura Blythman kids' backpacks, duffles and caps for Little Renegade Company

If you love Laura Blythman's whimsical collage-style artwork, you'll be just as thrilled as I was to discover Laura's collaboration with the Little Renegade Company. What results are super-cool caps, duffle bags and backpacks for kids in the Moonscape and Sugar Mountains prints.

Stylish Kids: Alfie Apparel - huge sale 50-80% off

When it comes to great design that kids can wear every day, one of my very favourite Australian clothing brands is Alfie Apparel; my eldest daughter is so obsessed with her Alfie Apparel pretzel shirt that when it had a laundry incident, we purchased another straight away, and just bought a third in the next size up! We've found this brand to be exceptional quality and as every piece is 100% soft jersey cotton, your kids will never want to take them off.

My girls are almost-seven and nine years old, and these are the pieces that they have chosen from the current 50-80% off sale to go under the Christmas tree. These prices are incredible for the quality and cool design:

Loving right now - Kip and Co cutlery, Australian bird art, free Bonnie and Neil tea towels

The weather is trying to warm up and I've got colour on my mind. Here are a few beautiful pieces by Australian artists and designers that I'm loving right now:

Wanda shelving for kids by Cantilever

A few years ago I made a study space for my daughter using a pegboard from Bunnings with painted IKEA spice racks that has been my most popular post on Bondville - ever. If you love that look but would like something much more sophisticated and design-led, check out the Wanda shelving system by Cantilever in Melbourne.

Maryanne Moodie rugs for Arro Home - yeah!

Arro Home has nailed it with these gorgeous rugs designed by Aussie weaving expert Maryanne Moodie, now living in New York City and owning the loom over there too. These pieces are gorgeous - I want both the Adamas and Desert Storm rugs - and look fantastic with Arro home's signature cat and eye cushions and range of bedding.

How to quickly change out artwork with Flat Pack Frame

If you're anything like me, you've got a stash of wall art that you'd like to swap out more often, but the hassle of taking down the frame, dealing with those hard little metal pieces at the back, and getting the positioning right makes it too much of a headache. I recently came across these Australian-made all-timber frames that connect with magnets, making it super fast and easy to change out artwork. Introducing Flat Pack Frame...

Why we should love Australiana again

Why should we love Australiana again? Because it's uniquely us. Because we absolutely should be proud of our iconic flora, fauna and scenery. Because we're supporting Australian design talent. And because it's now cool! There are so many clever Australian designers making beautiful products that don't scream souvenir anymore; and that we should be as proud to show off in our homes as vegemite in our cupboards. Here are some of my current favourite homewares that embrace Australia as an icon:

Lilly and Lolly new year sale - up to 70% off

The sales keep coming! This time, furniture and children's interiors store Lilly & Lolly has up to 70% off a huge range of products online and instore from 4th to 16th January 2016.

Head to the Lilly & Lolly online store or Melbourne and Sydney stores to snap up a bargain. Happy shopping!

Image: Lilly & Lolly