Joining us on the blog today is Bec Tougas, founder of Object Union, a stunning homewares store that curates one-of-a-kind pieces with a focus on artisans from around the world. I couldn't be more honoured to have bahru on display in Bec's beautiful store and couldn't think of a better person to share the trends and pieces they are loving.
B: Who are you and what do you do?
BT: I’m Bec, I’m an interior decorator, stylist, and now store owner at Object Union where I sell beautiful, one of a kind, artisanal home goods from all around the world.
B: What is the most beautiful thing you own?
BT: Oh gosh, I don’t really know. Well, I just bought an antique (over 100 years old!) handknotted Caucasian wool rug which is incredibly beautiful. So I guess that would have to be top of the list right now.
B: What is the most practical thing you own?
BT: I would have to say my phone. I use it to do pretty much everything in my life. I source products for my store, take photos of things that inspire me, check exchange rates, check the weather, view my calendar, google how to soft boil eggs, even the calculator gets a pretty serious workout. I really don’t think there is anything in my life more practical than my phone.
B: What must you have in your bag before you leave home?
BT: My phone, lip balm, and my sunnies.
B: Which travel destination is next on your bucket list?
BT: Well, I’m heading to Hawaii in March next year which I’m really excited about. Other than that, I’d really love to travel to some of the countries where I source some of my products from like Morocco, Turkey or India.
B: What is your favourite trend at the moment - fashion, homewares or beauty?
BT: Sustainability! With concerns over climate change, sustainability is something we are seeing more and more of, and I am all for it. Obviously embracingsustainable practices is better for the future of the planet, but I think it has other positive side affects. I think interiors created with sustainability in mind are far more interesting. When a space is decorated with unique, handmade, vintage or pre-loved items, rather than disposable, on trend, mass produced items, the results are much much better.
B: What are you reading, watching or listening to?
BT: I’m currently reading Joan Didion’s ‘Slouching Towards Bethlehem’. I recently watched a documentary about her on Netflix and I loved it, so I bought her book as a result of that. I love her writing style.
B: Which bag would you reach for - the classic black leather or the statement
metallic gold?
BT: Definitely classic black. I wish I was more daring with my fashion choices, but when it comes down to it I’m just a minimal, low key girl at heart.
B: Which is your favourite bag from the Bahru collection and why?
BT: It would be a toss up between Rome and New York. I own both and I love them. I love that Rome has two handles so I can wear it on my arm, or across my body, which is super helpful when I have other things to carry, which is always because I have kids. It’s a great size for every day and the pocket on the outside it super handy to put things that I need easy access to like sunglasses or car keys. New York is just a simply beautiful bag and is super handy when I need to carry lot of things, which again, is always because I have kids. I’m often carrying extra items of clothing, or books or things, for my kids and New York is perfect for that.