Born through an overwhelming desire to create something for myself, Father’s Joy has given me an opportunity to start building a life of my own making, allowing me to express myself creatively and travel between Australia and Europe, spending more time with loved ones here and in the UK. For me, it connects the dots to what matters most in life and to what I love doing.

With British roots and a background in printed textiles, I have always felt a joy from eclectic, layered interiors which cause the eye to linger. Whilst vintage furniture is gaining popularity in the design industry, there is a lack of individuality with most homes where they say or reveal very little about the inhabitant’s personality.

As I get older, I find myself drawn to design details that evoke a sense of nostalgia and identity, security and warmth. I want my surroundings to comfort and simultaneously inspire me. Through FJ, I aim to create a treasure trove of high and low pieces from all eras that can be added to your home to give it personality and meaning, a nod to the whimsical or unexpected and ultimately bring joy to your surroundings.

By choosing vintage, pre-loved items, Father’s Joy promotes sustainability by limiting single-use, poorly made and mass produced products. I encourage the ethos of ‘buy once, buy well’, investing in well-crafted, enduring pieces which add character to an interior through timeless design. I hope my collection inspires people to buy thoughtfully, reducing landfill one item at a time. 

As a new business, we try to make our packaging as sustainable as possible, using recycled materials to wrap our items and print our compliments cards. On occasion we may repurpose packaging we have received to use for future deliveries.

Our branded packing tape is both recyclable and compostable, crafted from an FSC-certified paper sourced responsibly from sustainable forests. We use soy-based inks to print our logo and a non-toxic, water-activated adhesive to eliminate harmful chemicals, further reducing our environmental footprint.

Father’s Joy is all about connection and the power of storytelling. A connection to history and the past lives of the pieces I find as well as the new memories and stories they can create for others.

Our emotional connection to a home is important as it is the place where we choose to gather with friends and family and make lasting memories. When I think back to my childhood, I remember certain places vividly with a feeling of nostalgia: the warm glow of my grandparent’s living room as we played card games on the floor, the tartan carpet and crackling fire at my cousins’ in Scotland, the floral wallpaper and old portraits inside a Welsh castle we stayed at over summer. Memories are built through our connection to what we surround ourselves with. Vintage pieces are a nod to that, our connection to the meaning of ‘home’.

If I wasn’t pursuing this business, I’d probably be in the jungle somewhere in Thailand helping street dogs. 

Father’s Joy is proud to advocate against attitudes of careless consumerism including those towards dogs who are often disposed of when they become a burden to society. It is my goal to donate a percentage of our profits to rescue charities I care about. In supporting animal welfare foundations and sustainable practices, ultimately FJ stands for a greater care and respect of all things. 

The name ‘Father’s Joy’ is inspired by my dog Abby (originating from the Hebrew name, Abigail, meaning the same), who we rescued from a rural pound during the Covid lockdown in Melbourne, Australia. By having this goal as a leading value, it allows me to give back and make a positive difference to the world, even if in just a small way.