Baya has arrived in Melbourne and located at the epicentre of design in Richmond, the new showroom has been artfully conceived where every detail is bespoke and unique. With beautifully displayed product, a designated area for architects and designers to bring clients or just talk Baya with staff, this is a space that has been crafted with love in both form and function.
As one of three companies within the highly respected New Zealand brand Furtex, Baya is now right at home in the Australian design scene and offers its quality textiles, soft furnishings and furniture at its Yorkshire Street showroom, designed by architect Sebastian Negri of StudioStudio.
As background, Furtex was established in 1939 in Auckland, Aotearoa/New Zealand, and has exponentially grown over the past decades. Today as a company of repute, it is renowned as textile importers, designers and wholesalers.
It’s been a collaborative effort by many creatives to realise Baya’s Melbourne home and Hannah Middleton, Baya’s Creative Director, is central to the brand’s products.
Middleton explains, “As a brand, we’re all about championing natural fibres, artisan-made and a quiet luxury informed by our New Zealand-based design team.
Our brand name is borrowed from the Baya bird found throughout the Indian subcontinent, renowned for weaving elaborate nests and I think beautifully represents our love for all things woven and handmade.
While we’re not the only company offering hand-made soft-furnishings this side of the world, I believe our fourth-generation family company’s 86 years in textiles is a key differentiator in market and although Baya is a young brand its manifestation began many years ago.”
Certainly, Baya comes with an illustrious pedigree but it has quickly become the brand of choice for architects and designers offering outstanding collections of the very best textiles as floor rugs, throws and rugs, and cushions. The Melbourne showroom also displays a range of furniture by New Zealand object designer and maker, Tim Webber.
Josh Heath, Account Manager, Furtex New Zealand says, “We’re very excited to launch the brand in the Australian market. We bring our passion for textiles and design to architects and designers and it’s a real pleasure to be in Australia.”
Using the finest New Zealand wool, cotton and linen, every Baya product is authentic and will stand the test of time. With the 2025 annual collection launched last month, there are new and exciting designs across all product ranges that add to the core collections.
Darren Brown, Melbourne Showroom Manager and Business Development Manager, Melbourne reflects, “Sebastian’s done a fantastic job creating a space that tells our brand story and is exceptionally functional too. There’s a beautiful gallery-aesthetic to it that encourages new-comers to immerse themselves in the brand, as well as spaces dedicated to styling our soft furnishings on the backdrop of Tim Weber’s impeccably designed furniture. The location is great too – we love being a part one of Melbourne’s key design precincts and inhabiting Hecker Guthrie’s previous space, whose we work we love, has been a real bonus.”
Baya’s floor rugs offer something for everyone and are ideal for the indoors and outdoors and as runners and entrance mats. The new Norfolk range explores the tones of the New Zealand landscape in 100 per cent New Zealand wool. The deep pile is plush and the six new colours resonate with contemporary design, whether a residence is in the city or beachside.
Also just released is the Beckett Straw Floor rug, handloomed in dense cut-and-loop pile along with the Anni Oat Floor rug in 100 per cent wool. Depending on the collection, rugs are available in four sizes, rectangular and round, with organic-style patterns or simply plain with thick luxurious borders, but all are sophisticated and elegant.
The outdoor floor rug collection takes 100 per cent Recycled PET fibre to another level, soft to the touch with a variety of styles and varied application. The rugs can be washed and look almost too good to leave outside but are a testament to the talent of the Baya designers and makers.
While there are rugs for the floor there are also a variety of throw rugs available. Made from 100 per cent New Zealand wool and crafted in Ukraine, these beautiful throws in myriad colours and patterns are a perfect addition to a sofa or chair as are the extensive collections of cushions.
Cushions are available in a plethora of sizes, colours and designs and new this year are Woodhill, Cyprian, Flaxmill, Frankton, Hokkaido, Niseko and Oliver Sand – all designs that provide texture and detailing in a range of colourways.
While rugs are underfoot and cushions and throws are above ground, the furniture in the showroom is an impressive representation of Webber’s work. On display is a chaise, chairs and sofas and outside furniture that are all singular in their design. Webber also contributed to the showroom, creating custom-designed plinths for showcasing product and cabinetry at the rear of the premise. Another New Zealand company, Forte, provided the internal timber window boxes that frame the floor-to-ceiling glazing to the street that creates a dynamic first impression upon entry.
As Middleton reiterates, “It’s super exciting to take Baya to Australia. We have been in-market quietly “or the past two years, however the launch of our Melbourne Showroom in Richmond’s design district signals our intention to plant solid roots in the Australian Market.” she continues, “In terms of what the future looks like for Baya, I’d be lying if I didn’t say new markets, however Australia and New Zealand are our key focuses for now.”
With a new bespoke showroom, expert customer service and excellent client sampling available, it’s fair to say that Baya will be on every architect and designer’s list to visit and the brand is definitely on track for major success in 2025 and beyond.
