We’ve been loaning furniture from House of Orange for years, and it’s always a joy to collaborate with a brand that shares our love of bold design and all things interiors. We’re asked about the furniture in our photoshoots almost daily and more often than not, it’s thanks to the incredible team at House of Orange.
When I first met Ursula, she immediately reminded me of Carrie Bradshaw, not just because of that amazing hair... It was her energy, her style and her effortlessly cool presence. So I couldn’t help but laugh when a few hours later, her daughter told me, “All my friends say my mum is exactly like Carrie Bradshaw.”
As you’d expect from one of Melbourne’s most beloved creative minds, Ursula’s home is a reflection of her spirit — eclectic, soulful, layered, and full of charm. Step inside for a heart-to-heart on interiors, creativity, business life, her entertaining secrets and what her perfect day out in Melbourne looks like.
Shop bedding here, sleepwear here and cushions here.
Who are you and what do you do?
I'm the co-founder of House of Orange together with my husband Hans. We run two retail showrooms in Melbourne and also a busy manufacturing furniture hub/factory in inner-Melbourne where we make our sustainable story happen - with locally made House of Orange furniture and our signature bunks and lofts.
We are SO lucky to loan your beautiful pieces for our photoshoots… Can you please share the backstory of House of Orange? How has evolved from the beginning until now?
We started with an old laneway building out the back of Armadale and burnt the candles at both ends, with young children and a passion to introduce basic timeless design furniture - which was robust, soulful, honest and Nordic-inspired. Think solid sustainable timber, with a sweep of signature earthy colours. We started with a big refractory style table and then introduced the concept to bunks and then lofts - thoughtful design solutions. Before we knew it, we had a fully fledged team of timber makers and our own factory. Then, we sourced a homewares lifestyle brand from Holland (HKliving) to marry with the furniture and never looked back. We ended up being the exclusive Australian distributor and still are to this day.
Shop lounge here and rugs here.
What does the average work day look like for you… from the moment you rise to hitting the pillow?
We get up early to get a head start on emails and then I run every day for about an hour, before heading into the showrooms. Then I get started on a range of things - including: staff meetings, merchandising the stores and working with customers. No two days are ever the same once you enter the retail space... which I love! Then I drive between the factory and both Melbourne stores, usually with random objects in my car, ranging from lamp shades, to tissue paper re-stocks... and always, our beloved dog Olive!
What are your biggest “pinch me" moments in your career so far?
Arriving in Paris with all the brand agents for HKliving from the around the world, for the twice-per-year fairs and having our kids with us. Then a side trip to the south of Europe (as part of these business trips) every summer, for the past 10 years. Which means running in every city possible (it's my happy place). And the feeling of that freedom, that makes the 24/7 of running a business seem and feel autonomous. That is a great sense of freedom, even with the hard work.
Where do you start when designing a space — with the layout, the mood, or something else entirely? Give us all your interior wisdom please!
I am known for the loose-relaxed-anti-method approach, as I believe in sourcing or targeting the journey of sourcing as a primary driver. Curating is what I love to inspire in others. When they become anxious about what to do - we often sit together first and then look at what the resources are within reach and then begin to simplify the decision making process. The freedom that can be found with not matching and not being perfect, but creating ambience is key. I have a list of no-go things that I announce in order, to declare what our HOO aesthetic stands for. I work from that upwards.
One of our favourite things to loan from House of Orange are the couches. Couches are an important investment piece for a home… Any tips for choosing the right couch for a lounge room?
We have sat in a lot of couches and we've seen a lot of couches in our travels! The couch has to be soulful but we also respect when it needs to work as a showpiece for a stand out space. In the end, we are as fussy as anyone would be - the provenance, the makers, the fabric and the detail and the next-level colour, all contribute to us backing the couches we sell.
What’s your take on vintage or second-hand furniture — how do you go about mixing it in with new pieces?
The vintage mix is the alchemy of a feeling of an interior that you are allowed to live in, experience, and be yourself in. There is so much pull towards this mix for us. We love lamp light details, textile accents and art. The patina of a piece is everything. Then, you have the super cool modern disrupter pieces to mix it up. A shot of colour and modern materials always helps to bring it together... Mix in the genres!
Shop table decor here and resin here.
If you had to choose just one… What is your favourite design on the House of Orange website and why?
Our April Dining Table named after our first daughter April was designed to be a big fat robust forever-table for everyday living. We swear by it.
Our Frankie Bunk Bed comes close second because it is a morphed copy of the April Dining Table, for the exact same values.
Your art collection is very impressive! Tell us about your favourite pieces of art in your home, why are they special to you?
We are humble art collectors but have been lucky to connect with a few artists who we have taken home to our walls. We love the works by Dutch artist Tiny De Vries - in fact, we're obsessed with everything she does – so we have a few of her pieces. Along with the iconic acrylic framed collectable artwork from HKliving. We waited our turn for it - as soon as we could... we took Endless Summer home into our kitchen!
Shop the Leroy Jumper in Copper here.
Your dining space is so dreamy. What are your go-to tips for setting a beautiful but effortless table?
I say go casual and relaxed, with a bit of whimsy and always romantic. Old cutlery (my mum tells me off because it's too heavy), napkins from cloth, candles and of course - beautiful plates. Something freshly picked from the garden... popped in a little vase of water, always elevates the table! Decant everything, no packaging allowed (no plastic) and lastly, butter in dishes and your salt + pepper in pretty bowls.
Shop table decor here.
From what I can tell so far, it feels like you are a born host… what is your favourite dish to cook for your loved ones?
Pasta dishes are easy to make for hosting - if you get the timing right!
To start, good thick rustic bread with salt and olive oil dip and for the main dish? I would do prawn linguine with olive oil and fresh chilli.
Served with a simple rocket salad and some yummy red wine.
If you had a whole day to yourself in Melbourne with no responsibilities, how would you spend it? From morning to night.
First I would run along the beach, then coffee in St Kilda with my husband, browse in Readings bookstore, head to buy fresh produce at a grocer, buy flowers, walk down a fave main shopping street and window shop, then head over to visit vintage stores with my daughters, try on clothes or look at art, then walk The Tan track, followed by a glass of win in an arcade in the city, dinner at Cookie and then a drink on a rooftop overlooking the city lights... finally, catching the tram home!
Browse the House of Orange website here.
Follow House of Orange on Instagram here.
With a whole lotta love xx