The first thing you notice walking into Seasonal Concepts is the warming aroma of dried banksias and fresh roses. This treasure trove of pre-1950s Australian furniture, collectables and crockery doubles as a florist – they offer floral workshops and they can kit out events and film sets with props for hire. Most of their stock is available hire, versatility is their game.
Named for the flowers changing with the seasons, the store was constructed to recreate the childlike wonderment of exploring your grandparents shed, right down to the rows of vintage terracotta pots (a very accessible $5 each), haphazardly stacked oak wardrobes and soft light filtering through the stained glass windows.
They stray a little from this theme with their broad collection of natural curiosities, including an impressively well-kempt taxidermy peacock and carefully preserved seahorses, which you can take home for $85. If you love to dig for bargains and you’re not afraid of heights, climb the ladder and scour the floor-to-ceiling cabinet of kitchenware for a rare find.
There are new items scattered among the old, and with that shabby-chic flare it’s sometimes difficult to discern what’s antique and what’s a recreation. But these new products do have a sense of creative authenticity. Any new furniture is locally and sustainably sourced and new linens and pillows are all decorated with original prints. They’re sourced from older items like dart boards, vintage postcards and even the lining of an old glory box that owner Ken Wallis uncovered with his partner TR Keller.
So, if you’re in the market for an ethically procured taxidermy duck, and you want to spruce him up with a fresh bouquet of peonies and a new shawl, this little Georgian house on Redfern Street holds all the answers.