Q&A with Alison, Sarah & Hayley
Join us as we delve into the visionary minds behind the Hepburn Hardware X REN STUDIO Collaboration Collection with a fun & informative Q&A.
What sparked the idea for this exciting collaboration?
REN
I guess for us it was two fold – we were constantly on the lookout for the perfect streamlined handle for our clients, but could never find exactly what we were after to pair with our ranges of fronts. Our general approach is less is more and we always our clients to achieve the sophisticated outcome we love and know works well. The second reason – we love Hepburn Hardware’s approach to doing business, and their team! The treat their clients and staff very well, which strongly aligns with our business philosophy. We’ve known Alison for a good few years now and have become great friends, and our fronts usually require hardware, so it was a really logical, fun collaboration for us.
ALISON
Chatting with the girls about their clients needs and the limitations of us fulfilling that separately sparked the idea. We've been friends way longer than we've had our businesses, so it wasn’t hard to get the whole idea off the ground once we figured out. Cabinets and handles are the perfect pairing and working with Sarah and Hayley has been so nice due to everyones blunt directness of what will and won’t work. Less fluff and all action.
How would you describe the overall theme and vibe of this collaborative collection?
REN
The vibe is definitely a minimal one. We find simplicity in (nearly) all design elements is what speaks to us, our clients, and stands the test of time well. We knew exactly what we were looking to achieve in our first hardware collection, and this is it! We’re thrilled with how the range has come to life.
ALISON
This collection would be the most modern hardware we've done, so it plays to more pared back simple architecture, whilst staying very functional.
What makes this collaboration uniquely Australian?
REN
It’s been designed by Australian designers, specifically for Australian projects. We have a clear aesthetic and this range speaks to the simplicity and elegance we strive for in all of our product offerings. Proportion and finish were particularly important to us during the design process.
ALISON
Randomly this style of handle was one of the first pieces that caught my eye as timeless hardware when I first started this business 10 years ago. There is a book I have of Australian modernist homes of the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and it suits this aesthetic perfectly. So timeless and simple, however the finishes they come in make them really beautiful.
Any favourite collaboration moments or anecdotes during the creative process?
REN
Is it wrong to say design meetings over lunch?! Shoutout to Bam Bams… In all serious it’s been great to learn the intricacies of hardware – products we’ve long specified and recommended, and to have a deeper knowledge of the design and production process has been a great learning experience for our team.
ALISON
How can customers get their hands on this limited-edition collaborative collection?
REN
Through either the Ren Studio or Hepburn Hardware websites.
ALISON
The collection will be found on our website as well as Ren Studio’s. You can also order it through our stockists, which is also on our website.
Any plans for future collaborations or exciting projects on the horizon?
REN
Absolutely. I won’t spoil the surprise, but stay tuned…
ALISON
This was our first collaboration and it was a really interesting experience from start to finish. I’m always on the look out and asking people what they can’t currently find and how I might be able to fill that gap. There is so much room to move in the hardware industry, so watch this space as we start dive into new areas. I can’t wait to get it all out.
