#therealstore

Welcome to 2012.

This is our second year at The r.e.a.l store and we are loving it even more than the first. 2011 was a year which saw the beginning of a long-time dream of mine start to manifest.  We are taking small steps to create our own unique retail space, and it is quickly becoming a destination for like minded people. People who care, who love beautiful products, that understand the energy that a product or space can offer to nurture yourself and others, without it being mutually exclusive.

We occupy an amazing space (well we think it’s amazing! ), not only because of it’s interior - the french windows, the light, the courtyard, our flooring - but also because of the community that we share in Woolloomooloo. For me it is a wonderful window into the diversity of our world and the larger picture of humanity - Woolloomooloo is a microcosm of our world, that is created through differences; of individuals, characters, and businesses all with their own story and journey. I hope to be able to also see this reflected in our online community.

The S.E.A.T. Project for Indigenous literacy

Last year we launched our SEAT project in partnership with ALNF (The Australian Literacy & Numeracy Foundation). SEAT went to 3 schools in Victoria, 3 schools in NSW, 2 ALNF pre school communities in Kempsie, a sustainable design show in Melbourne, and an Art & About Exhibition in Sydney. We were filmed by Saturday Disney, featured in the December issue of MiNDFOOD, and were guests of honor at the Girl Talk charity lunch in the Barossa in SA.

Tackling conflict minerals

Our other charity initiative this year was Protect the Child, generating awareness for the Democratic Republic of Congo and the issues surrounding the use of conflict minerals in everyday electronic devices. We've been slower to create an impact than I had hoped, but as with many of these issues that occupy our world, it doesn’t not go away, and  we will continue to try and do more for Protect the Child in 2012.

Sustainable, ethical design

In our store we showcased the wonderful and sustainable tableware from Wasara - a testimony that when you see great design, you witness the aesthetic and how it has a classic timelessness intertwined in it. On the interior design side we worked with some custom-made pieces with Water Tiger in recycled elm: tables, consoles and sideboards. The wood that our carpenters use is over 200 years old, reclaimed from old buildings in Northern China. We can really only imagine the stories that these pieces might tell. We then have our collection of  ‘one off’s’ from Water Tiger. Those special unique pieces - the painted Tibetan cabinets and sideboards that have found their perfect home, and in many cases are adding a rich warmth to beautiful contemporary homes.

So the journey for The r.e.a.l Store will continue this year in 2012. We have lots planned, lots to share and lots to do. So please stay with us as we discover, celebrate and share our journey with you.

Happy New Year and may 2012 bring all your dreams to reality.