Yes, you can stay in that dreamy catalogue

By | October 16, 2019
Fenton & Fenton's new Tropicana collection, shot at The Fender House. Photographed by Armelle Habib and styled by Heather Nette King.

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Fenton & Fenton’s new Tropicana collection, shot at The Fender House. Photographed by Armelle Habib and styled by Heather Nette King.

How many times have you flicked through a new season catalogue or scrolled through fresh campaign images on your favourite social media platform, only to find yourself swooning over the backdrop as much as the products which were intended to be the key point of focus?

Securing the right location is an important piece of the puzzle for homewares and interior businesses when shooting their new product or furniture line. After all, it’s the setting that helps potential customers envisage how that coffee table, sheet set or outdoor setting might look in their own home or backyard.

Fortunately, for those who can’t stop thinking about the architecture around that armchair, there are occasionally opportunities for dreams to become reality. In late 2014 for example, Airbnb partnered with Ikea Sydney and invited three families to spend the night in its perfectly organised and beautifully styled spaces, as part of a promotion for the new year’s catalogue.

Sleeping over in a real life version of an Ikea catalogue isn’t something that’s available to decor addicts on an ongoing basis, however the new spring/summer season has unearthed some beautiful addresses that can be found on Airbnb right now.

A snapshot from Oz Design Furniture's Boundless Living campaign, on location at Airbnb Belle Heath.

A snapshot from Oz Design Furniture’s Boundless Living campaign, on location at Airbnb Belle Heath.

OZ Design Furniture’s new Boundless Living catalogue was shot at numerous NSW locations, including Belle Heath in the outer Sydney suburb of Grose Wold. An Airbnb listing for more than a year, the double storey guesthouse embraces the white on white design philosophy in spades, making it the ideal place for a retailers products to really pop.

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When Fenton & Fenton was sourcing a location to shoot its new range of outdoor furniture, The Fender House was clearly a perfect complement. The Tropicana collection celebrates Fenton & Fenton’s love of vivid colour and according to the interior design business, is intended to introduce a tropical touch to our urban oasis.

Poolside at The Fender House was the perfect backdrop for Fenton & Fenton's new Tropicana collection.

Poolside at The Fender House was the perfect backdrop for Fenton & Fenton’s new Tropicana collection.

Fittingly, the Mount Martha property has a Palm Springs-style pool, the ideal setting for the lounges, outdoor settings and hanging chairs on display – and also for Airbnb guests to enjoy.

Built in 1973, the house sits in Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula and will be of interest to architecture buffs, as one of the earlier domestic projects by renowned architect Karl Fender. Recently restored, the house features original oversized windows, wood-panelled ceilings and walls, and terrazzo floors.

Fender began his career under the wing of Robin Boyd (noted internationally for his mid-century modernist designs) before going on to co-found Fender Katsalidis Architects, most known for projects such as Melbourne’s Eureka Tower and MoNA in Hobart.

So next time you spy a house in a catalogue that really takes your fancy, why not dig a bit deeper – who knows, you may be able to step into that dreamy location for yourself.

The Star – The Star Life