“I was bored with beige,” says Xavier&Me founder Ellie Bradley, when I ask her why her website celebrates all things colourfully chic. “Yes it’s safe and goes with everything, but colour makes you smile, feel happy. Your homes should be a reflection of you and I wanted to come home to bright colour”. It’s really little wonder I’m so smitten with this local brand with an ethos like that!
It almost feels erroneous on my part to label this website an online store. Granted, it does produce and sell a stunning variety of designer homewares like rugs, cushions, art, wallpaper and more – but its online journal, interior design services and Ellie’s openness to share her passions makes it feel more like an online hub where you can gain inspiration for your home and beyond.
So how did it all come about?
“Advertising just doesn’t suit motherhood,” Ellie tells me of the reason she left her job and started Xavier&Me six years ago. “I really wanted to work for myself and had a little one and needed more flexibility in my work life”.
Above: Ellie’s iconic X design, inspired by her son Xavier, along with the subtly divine Block cushion, are just some of the designer homewares on offer. Below: Ellie’s stunning living room features her famous – and favourite – Hot Springs rug in yellow.
The result of this move away from the corporate world is an online hub that showcases Ellie’s designer homewares range. She actually – if you can wrap your head around this – designs everything on the website herself, with almost every piece being made locally.
With an interior design services and property styling also on offer from this busy Sydney creative, it’s her custom rug design service that’s peaked my interest.
“Rugs are large investments, so I want to make sure that people are getting the rug they love,” Ellie explains. “I also do commission designs for people whereby they can come to me with a design they love or I can design something for them. I really want to make the process of creating a rug to be as fun as possible”.
There’s no doubt that Ellie Bradley is both talented and in demand, but what are her thoughts on the journey she’s undertaken in the past six years?
“Honestly it’s been fun and I have loved every moment of it (good and bad).If it weren’t for my customers, Xavier&ME would not exist. They’re a very important part of building my brand and online presence”.
Above and Below: Artworks and cushions are all designed by Ellie. Loving the Skull number and head over heels for the geometric print below.
CLICK HERE to visit the Xavier&Me online store. At Checkout, use the discount code TLC10. The 10% discount will then be applied.
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