Transform your house into a home with Cocoon by Ecology Homewares
Australian homewares brand, Ecology, known for their long-lasting, thoughtfully curated collections, presents their latest Autumn/Winter release, Cocoon.
The perfect collection as we head into the cooler months due to its colour palette of rich amber and caramel shades which bring beautiful warmth and toasty tones into the home. This latest collection includes ranges that treasure new habits nurtured during lockdown, the art of slowing down and gratitude for the smaller things.
The Cocoon collection was designed by Ecology’s Australian design team to seamlessly transition from kitchen to table by using contemporary shapes with a handcrafted and organic feel. The collection includes both new and best-selling pieces which capture Ecology’s trademark hand-drawn and organic style pieces. We’re especially loving the new additions to Ecology’s best selling Ottawa range. The popular range is inspired by the Australian landscape, with it’s earthy cream colouring and dark speckle through each piece. With gentle ridging and a matte finsh, the new bakeware and kitchen prep collection brings form and function to your kitchen and cooking experience.
As people seek solace in the home during the colder months, these items are designed to forge new links between loved ones, helping to transform a house into a home. “We are continuing to see people spending more and more time in the kitchen, taking quality ingredients, cooking a meal, and having gratitude for the simple things. The Cocoon Collection was focused on centering ourselves at home. Whether we are welcoming friends and family into the home again or just taking a moment for our own wellbeing” said Elana Vanlier, Design and Product Manager at Ecology.
See the full Cocoon Collection here.
The launch sees Ecology’s bestselling Ottawa range extend to kitchen and bakeware products. The popular range is inspired by the Australian landscape, with its earthy cream colouring and dark speckle through each piece. With gentle ridging and a matte finish, the Ottawa bakeware and kitchen prep will fit seamlessly into previous Ottawa collections.
The new Paper Daisies collection draws inspiration from Western Australia’s native flowers and is a modern take on a more traditional floral design. Tones of pink, blue, and caramel come to life against the neutral base and make the perfect range for gifting.
To truly bring your table setting to life, the Malmo range offers modern, geometric prints across a range including napkins, placemats, and a table runner. Made from 100% cotton, Malmo is machine washable and long wearing, perfect for making everyday dinners special, or gifting to loved ones.
An extension to the ever-popular Nomad range, the new dinnerware has been created to work seamlessly with the existing Nomad collection to enhance your dining experience. The designs utilise stylish colours of amber, blush, papaya, and charcoal and an all-encompassing subtle speckle across every piece. The mix and match nature of this range welcomes endless possibilities in and around the home.
Speaking to the meaning behind the entire Cocoon story, Tahoe is all about embracing the warmth and comfort of home-cooked dinners. The rustic shape and artisan feel is highlighted with a stunning transparent glaze that brings the clay stoneware to life.
As unique as the people who use them, the Hugo mug has been crafted to reflect the light-hearted nature of stopping for a self-care moment or connecting with a loved one over a cup of tea. The distinctive handles of the Hugo range are what truly brings it to life. Including designs such as Pretzel, Knot, Crinkle, and the Big Mo, the warm neutral tones of these stoneware mugs will brighten any home.
I was extremely lucky to chat with Elana Vanlier, Design and Product Manager at Ecology to find out just what inspires her, her top tips and of course her personal favourite Ecology pieces!
What inspires you when designing a new collection?
The most exciting part for me is all in the preparation for the new season. Actually, the whole team loves it when we present the new mood boards and colourways. I love the research component, identifying the upcoming trends and behaviours. Understanding what brings people joy (to quote Marie Kondo). It also allows me to step back and take a good look at my own habits and what matters to me.
The other part is making sure we connect the dots across all our ranges so not only does the season co-ordinate beautifully and tell a story, but our customers can seamlessly build on their existing pieces at home.
Personally, I’m inspired by everything around me, especially the things that make you look at the world differently. All things flora, fauna and landscapes. As well as travel, art, culture and of course, food.
2. Texture or colour? If you could only choose one!
I would have to say texture. I have always gravitated to tactile elements and in homewares there is no boundary to the material types that you can incorporate into your home space.
3. What key features do you love most about the Nomad range?
The Nomad range has been such a popular range for us here at Ecology. I think customers are drawn to the simplicity of its design. I really like the shape of the mug with its bell-shaped body, and the fleck in the glaze reminds me of my favourite mug when I was a child.
The patterns are simple and bold, yet they will not dominate your kitchen or living space. This season, we have also released napery in the same patterns which will make for some super fun table settings.
4. We love baking, can you tell us about the new bakeware collection?
The new Ottawa bakeware and kitchen prep range is an extension of our bestselling Ottawa range in the Calico finish. It was really important for us that it transitioned seamlessly from the oven to the table. No-one needs extra dishes to wash.
My favourite pieces are the ramekins which are perfect for an apple and rhubarb crumble or a potato gratin. Alternatively, upsize with the round baker and you can create bigger serves to share with the whole family.
5. The kitchen prep collection is a fabulous addition, how does this tie in with the dinnerware collection?
Much like our existing ranges, the kitchen prep products had to be functional as well as look great on the kitchen bench. At Ecology we focus on ensuring our ranges elevate the space they work in not just functionally but also aesthetically. The kitchen prep range delivers on both fronts.
My pick from the new Ottawa kitchen prep range is the gorgeous little salt and pepper pots that you can either have by the stovetop or on the dining table. I also love the herb planter, which is designed to hold the little pots of fresh herbs you get from the fruit & veg section of the supermarket but still look great on your kitchen windowsill.
6. Top 3 tips for styling a beautiful table?
1. Mix and match – At Ecology part of our ethos is designing collections that play into one another, whether they are the latest season or years old. Pair new pieces with some classics you already have in the cupboard to create a new look.
2. Tablescape – Throughout the last two years everyone has spent more time at home which has reignited our love of entertaining at home. Recreate a restaurant atmosphere or create a space that is authentically you - just don’t forget the napery!
Classics like a nice tablecloth and fabric napkins are often overlooked but they’re a great way to turn your table into something special. Try our new Malmo range for a Scandinavian inspired pattern that you can mix and match with plenty of texture and some pops of colour from your garden.
3. First and foremost, have fun! Don’t worry too much about it looking perfect, the joy of setting the table is making it your own and experimenting with different styles and colours. Most important of all, it’s about the great company you will be sharing this with.
7. Anything else you would like to add?
The kitchen or dining table is often the centre of the home - a place for people to connect and enjoy each other’s company. The ritual of cooking and eating brings families and friends together, new and old. We feel so honoured to be part of these special moments in our customers’ homes. Visit https://www.ecologyhomewares.com.au/ to discover our latest homewares.
