First, please tell us a bit about yourselves for our Australian audience – where are you based in the US and when did you start the design practice?
We’re both based in Los Angeles, and that’s really where everything began for us. Lawson-Fenning started about 25 years ago, originally as a small design studio making furniture for friends, clients and our own homes. We were interested in pieces that felt architectural but easy to live with. Nothing precious. Furniture that could handle real life and still feel considered. LA shaped that from day one. The light, the mix of old and new, the way people live indoors and outdoors without thinking twice about it.
How did this collaboration with Coco Republic come about?
It started very simply, with a conversation.
We’ve admired Coco Republic for a long time and how they create spaces that feel aspirational but not intimidating. When we started talking, it was clear we shared a similar point of view around craft, longevity and comfort. It didn’t feel like forcing two brands together. It felt like building something together that already made sense.
What should Australian audiences be excited about with this collaboration?
We think Australians will really connect with the spirit of the collection. There’s a shared lifestyle sensibility; a respect for nature, light, openness and furniture that works hard without feeling heavy. This collection is about pieces that anchor a space but still leave room for life to happen around them. It’s relaxed, but intentional.
What are some highlights in the new collection?
There’s a real range of personalities in the collection. The Steppe Dining Table is a standout for us. It’s sculptural and grounding, inspired by wide open landscapes, but still very functional. The Palomar and Contour ranges bring a softer, lounge driven comfort, while pieces like the Peridot Coffee Table lean more into functional sculpture. Everything was designed to feel confident but not loud.
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What are the mid-century touches and how are you keeping things fresh alongside them?
Mid-century influence is always there for us, but never in a literal way. We’re more interested in what made those designs last – proportion, restraint, clarity.
We strip things back and then rebuild them for how people live now. Slightly heavier forms, more generous proportions, materials that feel warm and tactile. That’s where it stays fresh. It’s not about nostalgia. It’s about studying what worked and letting it evolve.
What’s it been like working on this collaboration – any favourite experiences or travel anecdotes?
Honestly, it’s been a really enjoyable process. There was a lot of mutual trust, which makes a huge difference creatively. Visiting showrooms, seeing how Coco Republic thinks about space and scale, and imagining these pieces living in an Australian context was exciting for us. There’s also something special about working with people who genuinely love furniture and how it’s used. That shared enthusiasm made the whole experience feel energising rather than transactional.
