Get excited. Start planning your trip. Visitor favourites Satara are returning to Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) in 2024! The brand has gained a loyal following over the years for their laidback luxury furniture and fine craftsmanship.
With 9000+ interior designers, decorators, architects and design professionals expected to attend Decor + Design from Wednesday 17th July – Friday 19th July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre, this will be the 20th anniversary of Australia’s premier interior design trade event.
It will feature an inspiring mix of heritage and emerging brands, plus special features including VIVID Emerging Designer Awards and the prestigious Seminar Series.
A Name Born From Adventure
Sometimes we don’t know exactly when an idea will bear fruit. Twenty-five years ago, Satara’s founders, Andrew and Colleen Johnston, found themselves backpacking through Kruger National Park in South Africa.
This was a time before their three children were born, before the business was formed, and at a moment in their lives where travel and absorbing culture were at the forefront of their minds.
They visited Satara, the third-largest rest camp in the national park. The camp, reminiscent of colonial times with its thatched rondavels and cottages, captivated them. They were drawn to the name of the camp, initially thinking it would be a beautiful name for a daughter.
Image: Satara
Years later, even though they now had children, the name Satara remained unused, tucked away in the “will be of use later” part of their minds. Then their furniture brand was born.
“The word ‘Satara’ for us is synonymous with travel, worldliness, and a sense of wanderlust – the same qualities we see in the business,” says Andrew Johnston. The name Satara had finally found its place.
“Satara, for us, is an excellent fit. It reflects our passion for adventure, our love of authentic, earthy interiors, our respect for craftsmanship, and ultimately, a way of life that celebrates friends, travels, and a relaxed luxury lifestyle.”
Relaxed Luxury Living are the key pillars on which the brand has been built. Satara reimagines luxury with a focus on comfort and practicality, blending sophisticated craftsmanship with a down-to-earth approach to create functional, personal spaces.
Satara’s furniture is designed to enhance everyday moments, fostering an environment for serendipitous experiences and mindful living.
In the lead up to the show in July, we spoke to the Satara team to find out more about the inspiration behind their collections, as well as what visitors can expect to see at the 2024 exhibition.
How would you describe the design aesthetic of your current collections?
We have introduced a new indoor collection that features a mix of beautiful handcrafted wood and textured upholsteries, exotic marbles as well as adding a few quirky pieces to the mix.
Our renowned outdoor collections continue to feature handwoven ropes, interesting weave patterns and a new range of textured fabrics with a mix of teak and aluminium – all focused on comfort, functionality and a relaxed luxury aesthetic.
Are there any particular standout pieces that have been popular with clients?
Our amazing range of kitchen stools, handcrafted dining chairs, and hero occasional chairs have always been popular with the interior design community.
We also boast an excellent reputation for our outdoor furniture. Given the extensive breadth of our offerings, it’s always a challenge to single out a product!
However, we are thrilled about our new 2024 collection and confident that it will feature numerous standout pieces destined to become new favourites among designers.
You have a thriving wholesale arm. What kinds of interior design projects have
you been involved with in Australia?
We have been in the business for almost 20 years and now boast an extensive portfolio of reference projects, including Hayman Island, Crown and Star Casino, Baillee Lodges, Portsea Hotel, Portsea Golf Club, Thirteenth Beach Golf Club, high-end retirement living communities, and boutique accommodation from Palm Cove in Queensland to Cape Schanck in Victoria.
Our furniture is cherished by those seeking relaxed luxury living in their homes and holiday houses across the country. Moreover, those of you travelling overseas will see a lot of our furniture in the Greek Islands as well.
International Continental Hayman Island. Image: Satara
What is Satara’s point of difference in the market?
Satara’s global project heritage gives us an amazing platform to deliver great design, high quality, handcrafted furniture that can often be customised with fabrics and timber stains or to meet commercial project requirements.
Visitors to our showrooms will always comment on the level of quality and craftsmanship of our furniture compared to our competitors as well as our friendly team and huge range.
Image: Satara
We’re very excited Satara is returning to Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) in 2024! What are you looking forward to? What can visitors expect to see at your stand?
Our return to the show will feature a new exhibition stand layout and a curated selection of pieces from our new 2024 Collection. We are looking forward to seeing our local and interstate customers and to showcasing our ranges to new members of the design community!
Don’t miss Satara at Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) 2024, 17 – 19 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Register now to visit – entry to the exhibition is free but limited to trade visitors.