Eco Chic Brings Eco Friendly Furniture and Homewares

It’s rare to find responsible, recycled, locally made and environmentally friendly furniture anywhere on the Gold Coast – or anywhere in Australia, for that matter. Thanks to the arrival of Eco Chic at The Strand at Coolangatta, the Southern Gold Coast homewares destination is offering something completely unique for shoppers with a green conscience. 

Eco Chic was started by Interior Designers Cris Bucknall and Paula Breckman, who several years ago saw a gap in the market that no national furniture company was filling, with demand for eco friendly products and sustainable furniture growing. When sourcing furniture and homewares, Eco Chic looks for eco friendly, recycled, non-toxic, handmade in Australia, or fair trade products. 

“People want quality furniture that is responsible,” says Cris. “When you buy our eco friendly furniture, it is a sensitive purchase, but sexy at the same time. We want people instantly to say, ‘It’s gorgeous!’ and then feel good about the fact that it's green furniture and an earth friendly product.”

The eclectic style of Eco Chic reflects the international backgrounds of Cris and Paula. Cris started out as a set designer in Hollywood before travelling to Fiji and then Australia designing interiors for hotels and resorts. She began Eco Chic as an offshoot of her interior design company, MEI Mannigan Edwards International. Paula studied art and architecture and travelled all around the world as a music promoter before settling in Australia and turning her hand to interior and display home design. Starting as an online business several years ago, the new showroom at The Strand offers the best of both worlds.

“Clients tell us they are tired of seeing the same furniture over and over in every store. They want something unique. Eco Chic offers a comprehensive contemporary furniture selection from sofas to accessories, lamps to bedding – it’s a complete one-stop home furnishings shop.

“Our furniture and homewares ranges run from modern lines to vintage furniture, but everything works back together and different pieces are meant to be mixed and matched.”

Heralding in a new era of responsible design, the initial response to the store has created a buzz around the new homewares hub on the Southern Gold Coast.  

“Typically on the Gold Coast, people go to Bundall for the homewares precinct or maybe James Street in Burleigh, but nowhere else is there a collection of shops to go for furniture and homewares with such a unique range and local focus.” 

Eco Chic joins The Cabin Store, Abode Interiors and Styling, Sun & Sea, Salt Living, Montego, and Johnei & Jo at The Strand, offering their own carefully selected boutique homewares and furnishings.