Corban & Blair Lifestyle Blog

Visiting more beautiful shops - Stem

Welcome to Stem Gifts, a Corban & Blair stockist.

The open door leads to a cave of treasures!  You will be seduced to browse from table to table, from shelving unit to shelving unit.  You are invited to handle, touch, feel and experience superb home wares, stylish clothing and sleep wear, children’s toys, soft blankets, leather accessories, photo albums, frames, jewellery, comfortable cushions all merchandised along side elegant stainless steel and glass products.

 This is a store that says ‘BUY ME’ in capital letters! 

Exquisite, expensive, unique, stylish – all these words come to mind, yet amongst the carefully chosen imports and Australian made goods, you’ll find well priced items that still hold true to the notion of ‘value’.

 

“Whether you’re a business traveller or an urban nomad..” check out the collection of Built items, a delightful neoprene wonderland. 

 

You’ll find gifts for the man, or woman, who has everything.  Select a gift from a brilliantly coloured “Hoodie Portable Case” for that new GPS or camera,  “Your go-to Bag” a Laptop Portfolio carry bag in great colours, even a USB holder or just a “Thirsty Tote” for that bottle of wine!  

These intuitive and responsive designers even make handy products for baby’s.  Check out their web site and visit Stem to see the full range. www.builtny.com

You’ll drool over the fabulous products from Ortigia.   Select a fragrance then choose amongst the beautifully packaged items such as luscious soaps, bath salts, shower gels even colones for ‘him’.

With names like Sandalo, Bergamotto, Geranio even Coral Shell you'll want ALL of these on your Christmas stocking list!

Want to go there?

“The island’s history, reflected in the uniquely rich and layered culture that is found in Sicily today, has inspired the Ortigia range – all of the colours, scents and aesthetics are Sicilian, and all of the plants used to create our range are indigenous to Sicily. Made from natural and traditional ingredients, such as olive oil, palm oil, almond oil, lanolin, naturally distilled lavender and vegetable dyes. Traditional products with a modern ethic!”

Check out the web site www.ortigia-srl.com then call into Stem to see this fabulous window display, then savor and test the range.

If you want your home décor to be ‘on trend’ then try a vibrantly coloured Marimekko cushion to add that dash of stimulus to your 2010 calm white home! 

We are told that all of us will be seeking calmness, wanting to escape from the hustle and bustle of the economic downturn, but why would we hide away when there are just so many wonderful items to motive us, to brighten our lives? www.marimekko.com 

But if you prefer whimsy then select from cushions with names like: ‘Cushion cut’ – featuring a pair of dangling scissors; or ‘Cushion collection shoes’ – with lots of shoe toes lined up along the edge; or a toile with an embroidered pink chair ‘Cushion please have a seat’!   How can one resist this French humour!  This company has a wonderful web site, well worth a look: www.lacerisesurlegateau.fr

 

 

“Accessories should be a statement. easy to wear, comfortable, affordable and instantly recognisable ... to only wear what you love.”

What a wonderful way to think about the items we adorn ourselves with! Elk Accessories, www.elkaccessories.com.au provide this opportunity.  This Australian based design company chooses to work with natural hues yet presents stylish simplicity as modeled by Maddy!  And just don’t you want one of these cheeky little hats?

What ever your shopping desire, gift, home accessories, decorating or self indulgence – just pop into Stem and enjoy the ride!  Find Stem at 295 Darling Street BALMAIN or ring them on (02) 9810 5222. www.stemgifts.com.au

Visiting beautiful shops!

Tucked into busy Bungan Lane on the northern beaches of Sydney is Sublime, a Corban & Blair stockist of our fabulous frames and other goodies!

And what a beautiful shop!  With a wonderful array of gorgeous products merchandised to maximize interest and appeal it is inviting and enticing. And well worth a trip.

 If you can slip between the customers you will manage to see Corban & Blair frames, a wonderful range of wall clocks suitable for any decore, blankets and throws in soft muted tones or vibrant colours from David Fussenegger, (for a glimpse at the full range go to www.davidfussenegger.com  and click on the ‘Welcome’ button), all juxtaposed by crazy decorations from Tractor Home the importers of goods produced by local African crafters who turn old rubbish into artistic items! Check out their way-out gear on www.tractorhome.com.au

If you are looking for a table lamp a fabulous collection awaits you at Sublime.  Perhaps the most wonderful is the range from Have You Met Miss Jones featuring white sea creatures and unique animal designs lit internally to brighten any corner of the room by night and remain a feature by day!  If you are looking for that quirky gift, check out the website www.haveyoumetmissjones.com.au then visit Sublime to experience the real thing.

And if you want that personal item try their range of kaftans or Ginger Lilly sleepwear.  But the affordable luxury item you might like to give mum are these great Sabella sandals, covered with brightly patterned silk and a rubber undersole for safety.  But there is more!  Fabulous body care products, jewellery and handbags  - uniquely sculptured and ideal for the teenage, from okt-ober dee (www.oktoberdee.com.au) or the superbly styled handbags using fabulous leather from the Australian designer Elise Caarels (www.elisecaarels.com.au ).  Just feel them – you’ll love them – but be quick the last shipment went in seven days!

We just love the way the Corban & Blair frames have been merchandised and integrated into the display inspiring customers to add that extra touch to their home decorating or select a beautiful gifts (www.corbanblair.com.au). The wall unit housing our box frames is clean, uncluttered yet focuses the eye on the range of great products displayed. In today’s retail environment providing a great customer experience is as important as stocking brand names and fabulous products.

Customers enter the store and immediately browse.  The layout is inviting and even though the shop is filled with stock it is not overwhelming, but encourages exploration and inquiry.  Well informed staff support this fantastic display of merchandise, always ready to explain, help or gift wrap.  It is a truly lovely experience to visit Sublime Things in Bungan Arcade, Mona Vale NSW  (02 9999 3797).   I feel sure if you visit, you’ll find this store as appealing as we did!