Red Works Blog

At Red Works we do a lot of reupholstering for our clients and we are regularly asked "is it worth it to recover or should we just buy new" ? We have also been asked the same question by feature writers at Brisbane News so I thought I would share my thoughts  on the topic with you here. How can you tell if a piece of furniture is worth reuphol...

Inspired by the innocence and purity of daisies, this new capsule collection is the perfect way to show your support for children affected by cancer, so you can look good and do good!  $5 to $10 from every Hope Daisy Pendant, Charm or Earrings sold will be donated directly to the Child Cancer Foundation in New Zealand and Kids with Cancer in A...

Life is a journey. Just ask the two flight attendants who founded baggallini. They wanted a travel companion, something stylish with plenty of pockets to help them move from place to place. So on their next trip they found some people who could help them make exactly that. Soon the cabin crew all wanted to know where they got their bags, with the p...

Welcome to Mela Purdie Autumn/ Winter 2016 - Stylish looks that take you beyond the Tourist trail. Travel in comfort. Arrive in Style. This Autumn Winter is driven by the pursuit of minimalist perfection. A sense of freedom in simplicity is the driving force behind each and every piece in the range. Neutral hues of French Navy, Saddle, Latte, Rust ...

We trust that 2015 has been as wonderful for you as it has been for us. The past few months since our last newsletter have been quite hectic for us, helping you to create luxury in your homes, recovering your furniture and windows, sourcing fabulous new shop stock for Christmas, filling the shop with sensational new Mela Purdie, handbags, hats and jewellery, homewares and gifts, and working on a very special project with Youngcare that you can read about later in the newsletter. Our lucky 13th Birthday is nearly here and of course we are planning a celebration – a Week of celebrations in fact! You and your friends are invited to come along and help us celebrate, and, although it is our birthday, we will be giving you the presents, with a fabulous prize pool of gifts worth over $ 2000 to be drawn at the end of our Birthday...

Do you love having fresh flowers in the home but dislike that they often have a very short life, especially during the hot summer months? We know that faux flowers often have a bit of a stigma around them due to the very plastic looking orange and pink ones your grandmother may have had in a vase stuck in a corner of her lounge room, under that very irradescent faux ivy she had in an indoor hanging pot, however, we promise you, there are some very "real" looking faux flowers around now days. At Red Works we stock Stoneleigh Galleries Flowers and I promise you, clients walk in here all the time asking us about our beautiful flowers. They truly look and feel quite real.  Whether you are after statement flowers like these stunning Magnolias, or more "just picked from the garden" looking gardenias and sweet peas, or perhaps even a...

This seasons Transit Collective is a rich collection of colours reflecting nature. In this seasons collection you will find all of your solutions for the woman in transit. A comprehensive range of Mela Purdie is available both in store and online at www.redworks.com.au/shop/mela-purdie-online . As new stock arrives it is added to our online store so colours and sizes available at Red Works can be viewed and purchased directly online or, you are always welcome to phone 07-3876 4288   or call in to store for some more personalized service. Whilst we do have a large range, we don’t carry ever piece from the collection, however, we are always willing to place customer special orders with Mela if there is something you spot in the catalogue that you would love to own – just ask us  !  If you haven't received this seasons catalogue and would like us to post you...

Trollbeads Day is a global celebration of all our amazing customers, who wear Trollbeads as part of their personality - allowing our brand to tell their stories every day. To commemorate their passion and engagement, we dedicate Trollbeads Day in gratitude to them. This Friday 5 June we invite our Trollbead fans to a celebration in store - revealing the special Trollbeads Day 2015, bead as well as having an extraordinary shopping experience with champagne, competitions and Trollbeads. Join us in store at Red Works to celebrate Trollbeads Day.

Made with love from the Southern forests of WA (420km from Perth) the Thurlby Herb Farm range offers a blend of herbal and handmade soaps, developed using traditional botanical knowledge, a thriving garden and surrounding forests. Thurlby products contain no synthetic additives, no parabens, or lauryl sulphates. Red Works is currently stocking the following Thurlby Herb Farm products which are proving very popular with our customers:   Clothing Protectors and drawer sachets - Herbal anti-moth clothing protectors, hang this sachet in your cupboard or in your drawer to naturally perfume and freshen your clothing while repelling insects. Available in four fragrances – Rose, Lavender, Sandalwood, and Lemongrass.     Pantry Poultry - Give this chicken free range in your pantry! Pantry Poultry Insect Repellant. Filled with a traditional mix of insect deterring herbs and essential oils, it will help keep your cupboard insect free. Squeeze occasionally to refresh the fragrance. A...

Autumn has arrived at Red Works and so has our latest drop of the beautiful Mela Purdie Autumn/ Winter 2015 collection. April highlights delves into a 70s world of glamour and sophistication. Textures and prints are juxtaposed to create a soft eclectic mix for the height of winter. Strong impact is made with Mela Purdie’s Silk Georgette with the delicate Petal blouse, Fold Over Shirt and Fold Front Duster. In another reincarnation of decadence, Shell Lace enters as a must-have. Subtle transparency in the guise of stretch lace flatters the frame whilst suggesting what lies beneath. A bold entrance is made with the Vintage Cossack print. In 100% silk, this kaleidoscopic pattern references traditional folk influences in sunset tones of marigold, burnt red, steel blue and black. Silhouettes are flowing and feature strategic seams and gathering to enhance femininity. Muted burnt orange, maraschino and browns also create a 70’s nostalgia in...

Australian Consumer Product Safety Standard 2010 - Internal Window Coverings Although very convenient, cords and chains on our window coverings have the potential to be dangerous to small children. Unfortunately, and very tragically, each year there are several reported cases of children being strangled by curtain and blind cords. As of 1 January 2015, the mandatory standard that deals with the installation services of window coverings commences. This applies whether you engage an Interior Decorator or Designer to manufacture and install your curtains/blinds or whether you buy ready made blinds, curtains or tracks and install them yourself. At Red Works we have supplied and installed curtains and blinds to our clients for over 12 years. Cords and chains are a common control mechanism for all styles of curtains and blinds, and their use makes the opening and closing of our window coverings a very easy process. Other than motorization, which can...

Rebecca Sparrow (Author and guest writer for The Courier Mail) The Best of Brisbane List It’s no wonder Red Works Director Karla Martin smiles so much – she knows her store is a shopper’s delight. Selling furniture , homewares and gifts, Red Works is the type of place where you can find something for even the hardest-to-buy-for-person. And forget about girly chintz and flounces – Red Works appeals just as much to men (thanks to all the nifty gadgets). Items range from $ 10 to considerably more for the ultimate wingback armchair. Go on spoil yourself.

The MELA PURDIE Button Wrap in 100% pure Italian Wool has been one of the hot sellers this season. It is a not only a timeless piece for your winter wardrobe, it is incredibly versatile as well - a perfect travel companion when travelling in cooler climates. The Button Wrap is available in Multi mocha/ black and in plain black and plain mocha at our online store http://redworks.com.au/shop/mela-purdie-online/mela-purdie-knitwear-knits or instore at Paddington. MELA has suggested 5 ways to wear the new Button Wrap - can you think of any others? #melapurdie #knitwear #buttonwrap

Christmas is now only 3 sleeps away and while you have been getting your menu prepared and your presents wrapped and under the tree, you may have neglected to decide on your Christmas Day outfit. You know, the one that will take you from breakfast in Brissy to lunch up the coast with the inlaws and back to Brissy for a veritable Christmas feast with the family. You want something that is smart, stylish and effortless and will be comfortable to wear all day. We have put together a few ideas for you above.

One of our lovely clients was very excited last night to receive her armchairs back looking very sophisticated and ready to service the family for another 10 years. She sent us a lovely email upon receiving her chairs back: Hi Karla, Many, many thanks for your excellent service. I am delighted with the chairs, the workmanship is terrific and I am very happy with the choice of fabrics (thanks to your expert advice). I am very appreciative of the friendliness and professional service I encountered in your store and I look forward to visiting Red Works again in the near future. I have included before and after photos to show the gorgeous end product. Kindest regards, R.Taylor We think the "New" Armchairs look sensational and we are very pleased to have another satisfied customer. If your chairs or sofas could do with a new lease of life, contact us on 07-3876...

As temperatures soar, Mela Purdie presents a refreshing collection of textures and colour to elevate high summer dressing. Influenced by architectural silhouettes and the play between sun and shadows, shapes are relaxed and wearable, with strategic necklines and cropped pants designed to accentuate a golden tan. These subtle details create a sense of ease without compromising polish and transition seamlessly from the beach to smart casual. In term of fabrication, linen is introduced as a quintessentially chic option. Not only does this natural fibre breathe well in tropical climates, but it delivers a crisp aesthetic in a range of separates and dresses. Pieces are available in classic white or in fossil, a modern speckled grey tone. In September, Mela Purdie’s offering balances clean, minimalist elements with highlight prints and colours. The result is vivacious and lively with a modern perspective. http://www.redworks.com.au/shop/

Red Works were interviewed for an article about Reupholstering in Brisbane News. The article has appeared in this weeks edition of Brisbane News, out today, and may answer some questions that you have about reupholstering any of your pieces. With Reupholstering being the flavour of the month, for this month we are offering FREE collection and delivery of all reupholstering jobs. Call Red Works today to organise a quote for any of your reupholstering jobs - big or small. Ph: 3876 4288 or visit us at 156 Given Terrace, Paddington, or online at www.redworks.com.au

Red Works has much more than just Mela Purdie ! Although we looove Mela Purdie, we do actually have a huge range of products and services on offer and what better way to find out about the myriad of things that we do than to have a little click through our brand spankin new website. And, although our new website captures most of our products and services, we are always changing and evolving so keep checking on the site, visiting our blog, sharing the love with us on Facebook or or chatting with us in person in the store (yes, people really still do that, come in to stores to chat to real people :-) ) Love to see you online or instore, really soon. Karla x

If you have questions or would like to learn more about the Crabtree & Evelyn range, or if you would just like to enjoy a beautiful hand massage with the most delightful gentleman you may ever meet, be sure to mark this date in your diary and pop in to say hello to Michael – we will even pop the bubbly for the occasion. Although “Lord Crabtree” is happy to sign autographs on the day, we must tell you that he is a Lord in name and nature, but not necessarily Title so don’t expect to sell your autographs on the black-market for any notable profit !

We had a wonderful day on Friday 8 March with visits from two groups of very enthusiastic students from CATC - Commercial Arts Training College. They are doing their first decorating project to style a new house for sale and they came to Red Works ...to find out a little bit more about a day in the life of an Interior Decorator and some of the products/ services we offer. It was great fun and the students asked some Fantastic questions - I loved having them come in to Red Works and I know that there are going to be some Hot Decorators/ Designers/ Visual Merchandisers coming out of these groups, for sure ! Loved meeting you all, good luck with your project and for the remainder of your course, keep that wonderful enthusiam up and enjoy ! http://www.redworks.com.au/red-works-services/interior-decorating