Our story — Meet ARTI
I grew up in Ballarat and never thought I’d end up running my own business. I had my daughter when I was 22, and life became all about balancing work, childcare, and bills. By 2018, I was juggling three part-time jobs — working at a local bakery, freelancing as a data entry clerk, and taking shifts at a community centre. It was scraping by, but the mental load was huge. I remember sitting in my kitchen late one night, wondering how I could earn enough to make things just a little easier.
Before starting Haven Goods, I wasn’t exactly dreaming of homewares — I was looking for something practical that people would actually buy. My first idea was importing rattan furniture after spotting a supplier in Bali during a weekend away in 2019. It seemed doable but came with heaps of logistics I wasn’t prepared for. I shelved that idea and started researching Aussie-made opportunities instead. That’s when I came across a ceramics studio near Bendigo selling wholesale to small businesses, and I thought, ‘This could work.’
In early 2020, I registered AABHA CONSULTANCY PTY LTD, not knowing exactly where it would take me. My first order was 50 ceramic vases from that Bendigo supplier, which I sold online through Facebook Marketplace. That first month, I made $420 profit — not life-changing, but it was enough to cover groceries. From there, I added more products, testing what people liked. The turning point came when I secured a supplier for Australian wool throws from a mill outside Geelong. By mid-2021, Haven Goods had its own website, and things started taking off.
These days, our workshop is in Fremantle, WA, and we’re a small but steady team of four. I still personally handle every product decision — it’s a habit from those early days of testing what people actually wanted. Selling something that helps someone make their home feel a bit cosier or more functional still feels good after all these years. — ARTI
— Still learning and figuring it out every day — ARTI, ARTI BHAVINKUMAR PATEL
Journal
Learning to Love Spring Cleaning Again
Spring cleaning used to fill me with dread, but this year I’m trying something new — small, beautiful changes.
Spring in Fremantle is a bit of a trickster. One day you’re opening all the windows, and the next you’re grabbing a blanket. But it’s also the season when I can’t hide from the mess anymore. I used to hate spring cleaning, thinking it had to be this big, all-or-nothing event. Now I break it into smaller moments — clearing one shelf, rearranging just one corner of the living room.
This year, I started with the Coastal Breeze Rattan Chair. It’s been in the same spot since I brought it home, but moving it under the front window made a surprising difference. It catches the light beautifully now, and I’ve found myself sitting there more often, even if it’s just for five minutes with a cup of tea.
I also dusted off my collection of vases and realised most of them were chipped or mismatched. That’s when the Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase came out of its box. It’s taller than I usually go for, but it balances the chair so well. A bunch of Geraldton Wax from the farmer’s market filled it perfectly — $12 well spent.
The trick I’ve found is to focus on what feels finished. Not perfect, just finished enough to make me smile. One shelf, one vase, one chair repositioned. Over time, it all adds up to a home that feels lighter, which is the whole point of spring cleaning, right?
I’ll probably tackle the kitchen next week. Not the whole thing, just the cutlery drawer. Baby steps.
Driving To Meet The Wool Supplier
I finally visited the sheep station in Kojonup where the wool for our Nordic throws begins its journey.
I’ve been wanting to visit the sheep station in Kojonup for over a year, and last week I finally made the drive. It’s about two and a half hours from Fremantle, down the Albany Highway, and you know you’re getting close when the air smells like eucalyptus and earth. Bruce and Valerie, who run the place, greeted me with cups of tea and sponge cake before showing me around.
The sheep are Merinos — tough little things, but their wool is so soft you forget how rugged their lives are. Bruce told me they shear the sheep every September, just before the weather heats up. Valerie handles the sorting, separating fleece by grade on a long wooden table in a shed that smells faintly of lanolin.
I didn’t realise how much detail goes into selecting wool for our Nordic Wool Throw Blankets. Only about 60% of each fleece is usable for high-grade throws, and even then, Bruce said, “Not all soft wool is strong, and not all strong wool is soft.” It’s a balancing act, and they’ve been perfecting it for three decades.
The conversation circled back to the land, of course. Bruce said they’d swapped out ryegrass for native pastures like kangaroo grass about five years ago. It holds water better, and the sheep seem happier on it. Watching them graze, I couldn’t help but think of the blankets in my living room and how far they’ve traveled to get there.
The drive back felt different after seeing where it all begins. Hard not to appreciate the work in every thread when you’ve met the people behind it.
Arranging Flowers in Stubborn Vases
The Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase looks great, but some flowers just won’t sit how they’re supposed to.
I’m not a florist, but I love fresh flowers. They make the house feel alive in a way nothing else does. That said, some arrangements drive me mad, especially with taller vases like the Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase. Proteas, for instance, always seem to lean too far one way, no matter how I trim the stems.
After ruining two bunches of flowers over the holidays, I finally rang my friend Sam, who actually is a florist. She told me to buy chicken wire — not exactly the advice I expected, but it works. I cut a small piece, shaped it into a ball, and shoved it into the neck of the vase. Instantly, the stems stayed put.
The trick works for everything: eucalyptus, kangaroo paw, even those finicky proteas. Sam also gave me a tip about mixing native plants with supermarket flowers to stretch a smaller budget. I paired banksia branches from the backyard with $5 supermarket lilies, and the result was a bit wild but lovely.
It’s funny how much problem-solving goes into something that’s supposed to look simple. I’ll probably stick to this vase for a while now that I’ve figured it out. It seems silly to keep buying new ones when the only issue was a lack of chicken wire all along.
If you’re struggling with flower arrangements, give it a go. It’s a ten-minute fix that makes a surprising difference.
Why I Love Autumn in Fremantle
Autumn in Fremantle means quieter streets, milder sunsets, and the excuse to pull out my favourite throw blanket.
Autumn in Fremantle feels quieter. The tourists start thinning out, the afternoons stretch a little longer, and the evenings bring just enough chill to remind you summer’s gone. My favourite part of the season is how much cozier the house starts to feel, especially with the right layers.
The Nordic Wool Throw Blanket, for example, has been parked on the couch for weeks. I’ve used it for everything from reading to folding a corner over my lap during dinner. It’s one of those pieces that’s functional first, beautiful second — exactly how I like things.
This time of year also makes me think of slow evenings with warm drinks. I’ve been on a chai kick lately, using a spice mix I picked up at Kakulas Sister on Market Street. A pinch of ground cardamom makes all the difference, in case you’re wondering.
The sunsets also shift in autumn. They’re not as dramatic as summer’s, but there’s a softness to the colours — peach, dusty pink, and lavender. Sometimes I’ll take a walk down South Beach just to soak it in. Other days, I’ll catch it from the back porch while wrapping myself in the throw blanket. Both are worth it.
It’s funny how seasons pull you into different rhythms. Summer feels like it’s all go, but autumn invites you to pause, even if just for a moment.
The Surprising Story of Our Cutlery
Our bamboo cutlery sets started as a side project from a family in Gympie who had too much timber.
I wasn’t actively looking for cutlery when I found our supplier. It was early 2022, and I’d just set up Haven Goods. A friend of a friend mentioned a family in Gympie working with bamboo, so I gave them a call out of curiosity.
Turns out they’d started their business by accident. They planted bamboo as a windbreak on their property, and it grew faster than expected. By 2020, they had more timber than they could use, so they started experimenting with small products like spoons and chopsticks.
I love that their Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cutlery Sets are all made from the same grove — no composites or fillers, just solid bamboo. They also use offcuts to make garden stakes, which means nothing goes to waste. It’s a practical setup, and I respect that.
We started with an order of 200 sets, thinking they’d just be a small add-on item. They sold out in under three weeks. Now, every time I unpack a shipment, it feels like a small miracle that they’re still making these by hand in Gympie.
Next time I’m on the east coast, I’m hoping to visit their grove. It’s nice knowing you’re part of a chain that starts with something as simple as a patch of grass.
Making Time for Winter Movie Nights
Winter in WA can feel long, but movie nights with blankets, snacks, and friends keep the cabin fever away.
Winter in WA doesn’t get the same dramatic chill as down south in Tasmania, but it drags in its own way. The early sunsets and damp mornings can make you feel like you’ve been stuck inside forever. This year, I’ve been leaning into it with weekly movie nights.
I’ve got a small group of friends who’ve been alternating hosting duties. Last week was my turn, so I pulled out the Nordic Wool Throw Blankets, popped some popcorn, and set up the Coastal Breeze Rattan Chair with an extra cushion to make sure no one fought over the couch.
We watched an Australian classic — “The Castle” — because it felt right. It’s been years since I’d seen it, and the humor still lands. Everyone brought something to share (homemade sausage rolls, chocolate-covered pretzels, and mulled wine), so the night felt like more than just a movie.
It’s funny how much a simple routine can lift your mood. Staging the room with a few blankets and cushions made it feel deliberate, but not fussy. And it’s far cheaper than going out, which never hurts this time of year when electricity bills spike.
If you’re feeling the winter blues, I can’t recommend a weekly movie night enough. You don’t need much — just a good group, a few layers, and something warm to eat.
Using Vases as Storage, Not Just Decor
The Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase works just as well for holding paintbrushes and pencils as it does for flowers.
I’ve been rearranging my workspace for the new year, and I realised something: vases are underrated as storage. The Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase, for example, has been holding flowers on the dining table for months, but now it’s sitting on my desk filled with paintbrushes.
It holds about 15 brushes, which means I can see all the sizes at a glance rather than rummaging through a drawer. The pale blue and soft pink glaze is far calmer to look at than a plastic cup, and it feels more deliberate, even if I’m just doing a quick sketch.
I also tested it out for pencils and pens, which worked beautifully. There’s something satisfying about having a single, sturdy container rather than a clutter of random jars and mugs. It doesn’t tip over, which is a bonus when you’ve got a toddler wandering nearby.
This little shift has me rethinking how to use decorative pieces in practical ways. It’s not about making things perfect — my desk is far from Pinterest-worthy — but making them work better. And if they happen to look nice while doing it, even better.
It’s funny how a vase designed for flowers has ended up being my favourite desk tool. Maybe I’ll try the same trick in the bathroom next.
Small Changes For An Easier Easter
Easter’s busy no matter how you slice it, but simplifying the table settings this year made a big difference.
Easter has always been a bit chaotic in my house. Between the egg hunts, family visiting, and keeping the kids from overdosing on chocolate, it’s easy to forget about the little things like table settings. This year, I decided to keep it simple.
Instead of pulling out the fancy plates, I used our everyday ones and set the table with Eco-Friendly Bamboo Cutlery Sets. They’ve got this warm, natural look that feels festive without being over the top. A few sprigs of rosemary from the garden tied with twine made quick napkin holders — nothing fancy, but it did the job.
For the centrepiece, I reused the Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase with some picked flowers and added a scattering of painted eggs that my daughter and I had decorated earlier in the week. It felt personal and easy, which is all I wanted.
Lunch was a simple roast lamb with garlic and rosemary (again, from the garden). I’d planned way too much dessert, but that’s par for the course. The highlight was a lemon coconut slice I’d made from an old Women’s Weekly recipe — one of those ones with condensed milk that tastes better the second day.
By keeping things low-key this year, I enjoyed Easter more than I have in ages. Maybe it’s a reminder that less fuss often means more fun — at least in my house.
Customer reviews
Rachel S. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-03-12 — 5/5
Perfect chair for my patio
The Coastal Breeze Rattan Chair looks amazing in my patio corner! It arrived well-packaged and just as described. Loving the beachy vibe.
Lucas P. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-08-25 — 4/5
Nice but delayed shipping
The Vintage Edison Table Lamp is gorgeous and works perfectly, but delivery took a few extra days. Still, worth the wait!
Mia T. — Brunswick, VIC — 2024-12-01 — 5/5
Soft and warm throw
The Nordic Wool Throw Blanket is incredibly soft and just the right size for snuggling on the couch. A great addition to my home.
James L. — Paddington, QLD — 2025-01-18 — 5/5
Eco-friendly and practical
The Bamboo Cutlery Set is not only sustainable but also super practical for picnics. Lightweight and easy to clean. Highly recommend!
Ella W. — Bondi, NSW — 2024-10-05 — 5/5
Beautiful vase
The Pastel Dreams Ceramic Vase adds a subtle charm to my dining table. It feels sturdy and the colours are exactly like the pictures.
Zara C. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2025-04-14 — 4/5
Lovely lamp but a bit pricey
I love the soft light from the Vintage Edison Table Lamp, but it’s a little on the expensive side. The design is top-notch.
Ethan M. — South Melbourne, VIC — 2024-06-07 — 5/5
Fast delivery and great quality
Ordered the Coastal Breeze Rattan Chair, and it arrived faster than I expected. Looks great and was easy to assemble.
Olivia R. — Darwin, NT — 2024-11-22 — 5/5
Throw blanket is a winner
This wool throw is so cosy and warm. Perfect for chilly Darwin nights when the AC gets too cold.