Why you need to check out Pepite, the eclectic homeware store new to Melbourne's Fitzroy



There’s a new go-to in town for original, hand-made pieces that will give your living room an added twinkle.

Pépite is Fitzroy’s latest art and design hub, where you’ll find yourself digging through everything from eclectic earrings to shapely ceramics.

The store plays host to more than 60 local creatives, many of whom are based a few kilometres from its doors. You’ll find the quirky work of Tessy King, who’s playful approach to clay shines in pieces like the aptly named ‘Pink And Black Squiggle Vase’.

The venue also has an ever-changing line-up of art exhibitions to keep your eye on. At the moment it’s ‘Solaris’ by Vivienne La, which brings dreamy alien habitats to life in miniature form, through 3D information modelling software.

Photo: Bri Hammond

You won’t be scoffed at for not knowing all the creatives that Pépite carries. Curator and founder Irina Rybakov is careful to stock emerging as well as established makers, in the hope of fostering a community that celebrates a broad variety of talent.

“We’re so lucky to have an amazing community of creatives in Australia,” Rybakov says. “I feel privileged to be able to showcase their work.”

Photo: Bri Hammond

The Brunswick Street showroom itself is worth visiting in person, a light-filled space given character through rough exposed brick and a giant sculpture of dangling, up-ended shoes.

But this is the online age after all, and Pépite’s goodies are available to purchase via the web as well.

Photo: Bri Hammond

• Related: Cool Australian creatives to start following
• Related: If you like abstract art, you’ll love these
• Related: The duo championing the home-grown

Photo: Bri Hammond

More to love



Sea Lake by Brooke Holm

Photo: Brooke Holm

The landscapes in Brooke Holm’s photography are stunning in their own right, but the young gun doesn’t just settle for a simple aerial snapshot.

The way she hones in on thought-provoking angles is a creative triumph. 

Tipico Melbourne 

Photo: Jana Langhorst

The world has become increasingly enamoured with terrazzo, and for good reason.

It’s the first thing you’ll notice at this modern Italian restaurant designed by by Studio Ole; a huge terrazzo bench, lined with leather upholstered stools under a stark concrete ceiling. 

O Table

Photo: Supplied

Made from stainless steel, this groovy table is the perfect finishing touch to your bedside or lounge room.

The semi-circular shelves play with our perception of depth, and remind us that furniture can be fun.