The Simple Life With Plyroom

October 31, 2019
BY Kate Rabbitt

PLYROOM

www.PLYROOM.com.au

We had the pleasure of talking to Elise Heslop, creator and director of Plyroom who has managed to create a business that aligns with her desire for a slower, simple life. Plyroom is focused on providing timeless design, sustainable materials and socially responsible practises at the core of everything they do.

Producing furniture on a small scale offers customers a conscious choice. Minty Magazine is proud to support small businesses like Plyroom who are passionate about sustainability and design that is built to last.

For those who don’t know, Who is Plyroom? Please tell us a bit about yourself and how you came about!

“Plyroom is a Melbourne-based furniture design business, born in 2013 in a small town in Italy. The idea was inspired by embodying small-footprint living and a simpler existence. Its origin comes from a very personal journey where I was able to spend a slower year abroad with my family. The products that form our collection are a reflection of the essence of simplicity that I seek in my life.

In some way, the brand and the products that we offer are a quiet rebellion to the way our society wears being busy as a badge of honour. I want our brand to create a conversation about slowing down and quiet, and a reminder that it’s not all about dialling up the speed of life. We covet a simpler existence.”

What are your brand’s philosophies and values?

“We make the same decisions in our business that we make personally. Choosing sustainable options, minimising waste and being conscious consumers with everything from the packaging of our products to the energy we use. Plyroom is all about being intentionally small-scale, building relationships, good timeless design for all ages.”

What is your mission?

“Using good design to create calm in our everyday, whilst having as little impact on the environment as possible.”

What are the biggest challenges of owning a business?

“Running the business operationally as well as setting aside time to plan is a challenge. It’s easy to work through the to-do list without looking up and thinking about 6-12 months from now. I’ve gotten better at making time during the year when this is a priority and making sure we reflect on what we have done as well as celebrating our achievements.”

We love the minimalist vibe and simplicity of the designs. Tell us about the design process from concept to prototype and what inspires your collections?

“Many of the designs are inspired by travel or have a nostalgic nod to times gone by. I love the beautifully made and forever useful Shaker style, as well as mid-century design. Being a small business we are lucky enough to be able to incorporate all our customer feedback into new product ideas. The process from concept to prototype is never linear or short! There are lots of conversations and working through how to extract the unnecessary elements to make the product its purest form, whilst maximizing its function.”

What is the most rewarding part of your business?

“Getting lovely feedback from our customers! And seeing our products in our customers’ homes. It really does make my day!”

What is one piece of advice you wish you had known prior to starting your business?

“Just like the seasons, your business will experience beautiful summers and challenging winters. Know that these times will pass, they are not permanent.”

With such a beautiful range of products already, what is coming up next for Plyroom?

“Thank you! We are working on some new essential storage pieces (my favourite!), some exciting collaborations in 2020 and a new concept space outside Melbourne.”