Hello Singapore!

Destination: Singapore
Mission: Discover new trends with fellow Vasties

I arrived in Singapore to a beautiful balmy afternoon, made my way to the Hotel -and let's just say what a amazing hotel, the Marina Mandarin in Singapore. After a quick freshen up, I was on way to meet some of the other Vast Interior crew, at Clarke's Key for Dinner. For anyone who hasn't been to Singapore Clarke's Quay is like a 4 block square of some of the nicest specialised restaurants, the atmosphere and buzz is not to be missed!



Halena x

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Posted in: Travel Titbits

Fair Calling

After catching up last night with the franchisee's of Townsville & Mackay; Phil and Kerrie over a couple of Mojito's at a Havana inspired restaurant, we are all off to the Fair. There's a certain excitement in the air as we (Ross the big Boss and I) sit down for a quick coffee prior to hitting the first stands. I am looking for, something different, something comfortable, practical with soul and beauty - look out summer 2011 I think we may have just found it!

Halena x

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Let the buying begin!

After another day of visiting newly made friends stands, and revisiting stands that other Vasties (Elaine from Virginia & Redcliffe Stores, Chris from the Port Macquarie Store, Phil & Kerrie from Mackay & Townsville) had found interesting things at or placed orders with. It now time to grab our bags head off the airport for the next port of call - Java, and let's just say I am super excited about heading there  : )

Halena x

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Room with no view

Destination: Java, Indonesia
Mission: Meet old friends and new suppliers, discover new finds, workshop and design summer 2011/12 range.

This is a good time to point out even the most experienced travels do make accommodation mistakes - my boss and I combined have travelled a lot of countries, and we take much pride in always finding good accommodation, close to attractions and transport, unfortunately our compass on our arrival to Java was a little out! Now before I hear you say "travel snobs" I should point out that I have happily stayed in backpackers in Greece, on roof tops in Morocco and in hostels in China, but there are, when travelling for work, certain standards that we stick to - I won't go into that story about the Philippines saying the "red light district" just didn't do that hotels location justice!! So after a quick chat we decided to meet up with the other Vasties at a hotel, I bit further away - but with a comfy clean bed, and really let's face it when travelling that's all you want, after a long day is to rest.

Halena x

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Love thy neighbour

Sometimes things just work out, although you may stress about the how & why's, in some moments things just fall into place. That was the feeling that all of us Vasties had when visiting Java. The feeling was exactly like Ross had expressed "it's like coming home", for the past few years, we have been focused on what is happening in other countries, these countries were growing at such a rapid rate and we were trying to be one step ahead of the trend, and what we didn't realise is what great products our neighbours were doing, we now do!



Halena x

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Posted in: Cool Find, Design Digs

Old friends and new designs

After working for Vast Interior for 9+ years, this is that first time that I am visiting one of the early vast suppliers. This supplier has know Ross for more than 20 years, and it definitely shows, he treats us like family and as do we him. We have an amazing day visiting his factory, and spending time with him and his designer, the saying "get the creative juices flowing" I think was developed in these moments in time. By the end of the day we felt like we clearly understood the direction in which we were taking.

Quality Control!



Halena x

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Posted in: Travel Titbits, Cool Find, Design Digs

Long time no see

Another day visiting old friends and seeing what direction they have taken or moved into, over the past few years. Plus visiting newly sourced suppliers and having coffee with people you normally only have contact with via email - is sometimes surreal, and its moments like these that we are all so glad we do what we do, and the amazing opportunities that we have.

The revival of rattan and natural fibres is evident everywhere we go. Reinventing the old style and re-fashioning for the new age. Coloured rattan, vintage cane and endless forms of natural weaves to reinspire our natural roots born in Indonesia, years ago.

Halena x

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Posted in: Cool Find, Design Digs

Fruitful finds

I'd say by this stage of the trip we have completed maybe 90% of the business, so the mood is definitely more relaxed, as we have found some great product  on this trip, and its only when we start showing the Vast Interior Perth Franchise Patrick, that we realise that. Patrick is not only a franchisee but also a supplier to Vast Interior Stores, he has great product -using Mango wood to create it, we spend the full day at his factory, working on stains and finishes not just for this year but next also. Now that we have finished making those decisions we head to dinner at one of Patrick's favourite places, and I can honestly say up to then it was the most tastiest food I had all trip!

Halena x

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Posted in: Cool Find, Design Digs

Mount Merapi

I wouldn't say it was a day of rest, but a more relaxed day of travels, we head to up to the factory another way, only to see the indescribable sight of devastation as a direct effect of Mount Merapi.  Where there should be houses and fields there is a grey black river of rock hard lava, and just to give you and idea how close we are to the Mount Merapi - were we stood, and saw this devastation is in fact at least 15km from the top. It was devastating..

Halena x

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Posted in: Travel Titbits

Life's a Beach

Weekend of rest here we come! Off to Bali for a chill out & shopping (both work and personal) before coming home to start all the real work :). We arrive at the private villa in Seminyak, and are ready for a nice dinner and catch-up with our travel mates Kerrie and Phil, who were already there. We head off to down the road to the beach, stoping in at any shop that takes our fancy, before making it to our final destination sunset over Seminyak beach - beautiful.

Halena x

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