It all started on a trip to Morocco, 15 years ago. On a trip with her partner, Danielle McEwan fell in love with rugs hand-loomed by nomadic craftspeople from the High Atlas Mountains. ‘I was particularly drawn to their history, their abstract nature and the way they brought so much soul and character to contemporary spaces,’ she recalls.
A few years later, the start of her family and a move to Byron Bay gave Danielle the space and freedom to bring these rugs to Australia, through the launch of Tigmi Trading. As her business has grown, Danielle has been able ‘to indulge in various other passions – including working with artisans who share the same ethos, and whose pieces blur the lines between art, beauty, and function’.
A more recent milestone came in October last year, when Tigmi Trading opened it’s first showroom/studio in Byron’s Habitat Commercial Precinct. Danielle had been searching for over a year for the right space. ‘It was beautiful and light and, being such a melting pot of young creatives who share the same vision for life and business, it’s a very welcoming and nurturing work environment to be a part of,’ she tells.
Off the back of one busy buying trip from Morocco, the pared-back fit-out was completed in just four days – hat tip to the team at Forty Four Construction. ‘Our vision was to transport every person into our modern bohemian wonderland,’ welcomes Danielle. She also emphasises the backdrop of sculptural, natural materials, translating the timeless beauty of these aged, vintage rugs and other antique pieces into a contemporary context.
Tigmi’s hand-selected vintage and contemporary rugs take pride of place, while newly-acquired Pierre Jeanneret re-editions are another key feature. Danielle highlights ‘iconic design classics and a mix of simple functional pieces, such as the Moroccan stools, LRNCE ceramics, recycled Beldi glassware, and wonderful bespoke pieces by our good friend, sculptor Steve Clarke‘. And that’s not all, exclusive Tigmi designs will be added later in the year – watch this VERY swoon-worthy space!
Tigmi Trading Studio and Showroom
10-11/1 Porter Street
Byron Bay, New South Wales
Monday to Friday, 10am-5pm
Saturday, 10am-3pm