I love unique homewares.

You know, pieces that are a little out of the ordinary in the best way possible. The most successful decor gems are the ones that, at first glance, you’re hard pressed to categorise. Some homewares you look at at know right away that they’re Scandi or coastal or industrial. Then there are pieces you have to think about. The cushions in today’s post are mind-benders in the most amazing way. They’re new designs from popular Melbourne brand Shakiraaz and you’re going to fall in love with them for a few reasons.

The first, as I’ve alluded to, is that these designs mix a few different aesthetics. Creator of the brand, Shakira Lima, tells me that this approach was a well considered one.

“This new range is based on ‘Rangoli’ designs that one sees in Indian villages,” she explains. “Created by women on the mud floors by hand, as well as a mix of Aztec motifs (that I simple love)”.

Keeping abreast of current and upcoming trends is also an important element in the research and design process, Shakira tells me. It’s that knowledge, combined with inspiration she’s encountered during overseas travels (to the likes of India and Mauritius) that birth the creations you see in this post, which are so wonderfully vibrant and have a unique, handmade feel to them (the handmade aspect is the second reason to love this brand).

“My designs are handblock and handscreen printed by me right here in Melbourne,” Shakira explains. “And some designs are handblock printed by Indian artisans. But everything is handmade and handcrafted. Each design is created with much love here in Australia”.

The frayed edging and pom pom piping are a true revelation if you ask me – and tie back into the trend research mentioned earlier. I watched designer Genevieve Gorder do a talk on design trends late last year, in which she forecasted that fray and tassels were going to be big in 2015. So it’s truly divine to see those trends making their way through in cushion designs like these.

Of her most-recent designs, Shakira tells me, “I had a lot of fun sketching them; inspired from my photographs and coming up with motifs and patterns that sit well together. In fact, I am planning on developing a range of throws with these designs a little later in the year”. Good Lord, Shakira – I cannot wait to see them!

If you’re going as batty over these designs as I am, you can hit the Shakiraaz website and grab some. Or, if you’re a fiend for a competition (who isn’t?), you can hit the comp below and go in the draw to win two cushions from Skakiraaz in your choice of design! 🙂

WIN 2 New Cushions from Shakiraaz!

To go in the draw to win 2 cushions in your choice of design:

– Click here to hit the Shakiraaz online store
– Drop a comment below naming your fave designs and why

Comp open to Aus residents only. Comp closes 11.59pm Sunday April 12

Last image in this post (or Shakira) courtesy of Stories by Salona.