Meet Zane from Ours Store
Earlier this week we sat down with Zane from Ours, Naarms newest furniture shop, home to local and independent furniture designers.
As we walked in we were immediately hooked on the warm and welcoming atmosphere of the store. Owner Zane was hunched over a thin balloon filling it up with resin to then be moulded into a clothing hanger and beside him, a friend hard at work on the company website as music swayed throughout the store. “Give me two seconds and I’ll be right with you” and with the wipe of his hands Zane was ready to sit down with us and answer the following:
Name, pronouns and star sign?
Zane, whatever you like, Aries.
Where did you grow up, and where do you live now?
I grew up between Ballarat and Auckland, currently living in Fitzroy.
What is the story behind Ours?
After running an airbnb in Hepburn Springs, an amature venture into furniture making and a passion for hoarding disguised as collecting, culminated in a wobbly walk home from the pub past this space for lease on Johnston Street. The planets, or something, aligned and the whole venture happened really quickly.
It’s evolving as an accommodation, event, and shoot space where we can show off nice things made by our favourite designers, makers, artists and collectors from around the city. It is also verging on my very own fantasy factory - loosely based on my fascination with Rob Dyrdek’s MTV series.
I’m not really sure what is happening here most of the time, but I’m all ears if anyone wants to stop by with some ideas we can bring to life…
What is your favourite piece in the shop?
In an effort to sidestep this question, I’m going to say the green perforated metal park table made by Commercial Systems Australia in our backyard.
When you first started, how did you go about working with local designers/ artists?
I was sharing studio space with Billy Furniture and At The Table when I was opening, and during the early days of The Tip Shop, Lara and Kep from Poly Designs were super helpful with introducing me to a community of local makers, designers and artists. The community of local creatives making nice things in Naarm is very connected and easy to get immersed in. I reached out to some of my favourites when I was starting and I’ve had some really talented people get in contact as the space comes to life.
What advice do you have for new artists wanting to be a part of Ours?
Be nice, make nice things, don’t think too much and avoid advice from anyone. This might be bad advice.
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In a few words:
Best place to drink - Skydiver
Best place to eat - Terror Twilight
Lastly, who would you say is one to watch in the object/furniture design community?
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Objects By Kit
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Kathleen Prentice
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Lele Eclectic Studio
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Chong Office
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Thank you Zane!
Photography by Tay
Written and Edited by Tay and Antoinette.
