In 2021, partners Wayne Gao and Connie Yin discovered the complexity of navigating online retailers, showrooms, brands, colours, fabrics and sizes when looking for home furnishings. So, they decided to make the process much simpler.

‘Connie and I started FURNISHD during the pandemic with people like us and our friends in mind,’ explains Wayne. ‘Busy business owners, young professionals, working moms and dads who lead busy lives and often feel overwhelmed when it comes to curating and sourcing furnishings for our homes.’

FURNISHD is a design business that offers an ‘end-to-end’ furnishing service; including curating, sourcing and procurement.

‘It’s a streamlined fixed-fee approach paired with the flexibility of remote communication,’ says Wayne.

Led by senior interior designer Mandy Baxter, the FURNISHD design team work closely with their clients to understand their needs and personal tastes, tapping into the company’s vast internal library of local product knowledge to find the best pieces for the client’s budget and style.

‘My favourite part of the role is having the opportunity to design such varied spaces that are often a combination of different design styles and tastes,’ says Mandy.

So far the new design studio has helped furnish over 300 residential homes in Australia and New Zealand, one of which was shortlisted for the 2023 AIDA Residential Decoration award — and this year they’ve received two additional nominations in the same category.

‘We are very proud to be able to deliver bespoke design within a very limited budget, using a digital approach for clients who hadn’t considered hiring an interior designer,’ says Wayne.

Below, we look at four homes that have been expertly FURNISHD by Mandy and the team!

A Contemporary Home With ‘Eclectic’ Touches

The owners of this Melbourne home were looking to invest in distinctive pieces that could accommodate a growing family, says FURNISHD senior interior designer Mandy Baxter. Tasked with finding work from local designers and artisans that were ‘imbued with personality’ Mandy looked to Grazia & Co, Made Studio, Armadillo and Jardan to bring the owners’ vision to life.

‘The biggest challenge for this space was the consideration of longevity and family needs while creating a refined outcome,’ she explains. With young kids and pets in mind, Mandy was sure to select durable products and fabrics, nailing the sometimes impossible feat of beauty and practicality.

A Playful Reimagining With Mid-Century Flair

In this project Mandy and the team at FURNISHD were tasked with furnishing a professional couple’s first home with eclectic finds and mid-century flair.

‘The fusion of old and new was our number one priority,’ says Mandy. Her favourite part of the home is the living room, which features a custom-made Pea chair from LLH Studio in a wine-coloured fabric alongside a vintage walnut sideboard.

Classic Design Meets Pops Of Colour In An Architectural Home

Managing budget and working with the established palette of hues in this architecturally designed home were the main drivers of this project, says Wayne.

The team balanced the budget to allow for a few hero pieces, offsetting these with picks at a more friendly price point.

‘Strong lines and considered forms underpin the design selections throughout with an aim of creating a fusion of timeless aesthetics and contemporary functionality,’ says Wayne.

The somewhat tonal palette of the home has been given an injection of colour in carefully chosen artwork.

A Calming Cosmetic Update For A Family Home

Faced with a quick settlement and a short time frame for furnishing, Mandy and her team focussed on strategic sourcing for this project.

‘Our approach was to create a fresh and playful design that would harmonise with the existing contemporary finishes while incorporating their love for mid-century modern elements,’ she explains.

Her favourite area is the main bedroom where tan and lavender come together with the more minimalist elements in the bedside table and lamp. ‘This space proves smaller artworks sometimes provide the perfect amount of impact,’ Mandy says.

Discover how FURNISHD can help you furnish your home here!