Cushions by Squeak Design on The Life Creative

Meet Squeak Design: the Melbourne Brand with Punch and Personality

22 February, 2016

362

Nothing gives me pangs of joy and rapture more than discovering a new homewares brand. When that brand is Aussie, when its products are packed with colour, and when the creator is a Melbournian, my happiness level reaches fever-pitch.

Local brand Squeak Design is the creative powerhouse I’m speaking of and showcasing in today’s post. It’s run by the divine Pippa Oostergetel, a textile design grad from RMIT, who is the one woman show behind the business; born out of, as Pippa explains, an adoration for a particular item of clothing.

“I started Squeak three years ago for one purely selfish reason… I love scarves,” she tells me. “Crazy about them! I’m a scarf wearing, rain, hail or shine, kind of girl. I knew I wanted to design my own product after spending years designing for others, and scarves was just the obvious choice. I have now successfully expanded my scarf wardrobe substantially”.

Thankfully for lovers of homewares, the squeak range has expanded beyond the colourful (and truly divine) scarf collection. Pippa now designs an entire range of cushions, quilts, bags, clutches and tea towels – all of which have a gorgeous and abstract aesthetic to them. They’re also all digitally printed, too, giving them a very distinct, eye-catching quality.

Playful yet sophisticated, is how Pippa describes her vibe.

“I don’t know if those two descriptions actually go together, they’re a bit of an oxymoron, but somehow it describes Squeak,” she explains. “I love to design in colour, particularly with my scarves and cushions, and that gives a sense of playfulness. The whole point of accessorising is to jazz up the whole ensemble, so it needs to have a bit of bang to it, I think”.

And boy is there a bit of bang in the range. As a fellow lover of colour and self confessed addict of high-velocity hue, I am so utterly smitten with the bold and graphic designs Pippa has executed here. But for those of you that love decor that veers in a more monochromatic direction, fear not; there’s plenty of that in the range too!

Even more impressive is the fact that the Squeak Design business is a one-woman band.

“It’s just me,” Pippa explains, when I ask her who is involved in the business. “I’m a bit of a lone ranger, I guess. In saying that, I get plenty of help from my friend’s and family when I need it. They have earned a huge amount of brownie points”.

When asked what her fave pieces are from the range, Pippa is quick to declare the quilts as her number one.

“Although I still don’t know which design I prefer. The velvet reverse is just stunning and the stitching is done by hand, giving it an authentic quality. They’re thick and heavy and soft and cuddly. Perfect for winter snuggles”.

I cannot tell you how in love with Pippa’s designs I am. When I laid eyes on them (and I cannot remember how I first came across the range), I was on the email right away, asking Pippa if I could stock them in the TLC Shop.

The very essence of the Squeak Design brand is exactly on par with The Life Creative; colourful, fun, easy to work into your home and affordable. Oh, and let’s not forget local; because I’m all about supporting Aussie Creatives.

I am so, so delighted that Pippa agreed to come on board in the store – and I know that you’ll fall head over heels for the range, too.

Click here to check out the Squeak collection.

Tags: