WHAT began as a burst of colour on cotton canvas has grown into one of the Redlands’ most eclectic small businesses, with Sandy and Michael Clark’s Daisy Layne Homewares now a familiar name on Bloomfield St.
The pair say the venture has always been driven by creativity, reinvention and a determination to offer “something different” to local shoppers.
The idea first took shape in January 2016, when Sandy’s bright flower artwork was printed onto fabric and turned into cushions.
“Furniture, cushions and artwork working together was the theme,” she said.
A pop-up shop at Carrara Markets helped refine the concept before the couple launched a website and later moved into a small space on Ross Court in Cleveland.
A shift to Ormiston marked the start of a more eclectic chapter, new artwork, upcycled furniture, decor accessories, even furniture paint and home styling.
“We spent three and a half years there before moving to Bloomfield St,” Sandy and Michael said. “It was clear we had something different.”
Their Cleveland store quickly became known for its sensory mix of colour, music and fragrance, paired with a strong focus on customer service.
The couple source pieces from around the world, curating a collection that ranges from Versace watches and John Lennon shirts to dining tables, consoles, bedsides and giftware, “All upmarket, well priced and different,” they said.
Creativity extends beyond homewares – Sandy has written and illustrated three children’s books, while Michael has composed songs to accompany them, creating an interactive experience through QR codes that let families sing along. He has also released music across Spotify, YouTube and iTunes under MC Cuthers Clark.
For the Clarks, adapting is part of survival.
“In this day and age, evolving and bringing something new and different is very important in the tough times,” they said.
A decade on from that first printed cushion, Daisy Layne Homewares remains a testament to local creativity, and to the Redlands’ appetite for businesses willing to keep reinventing themselves.
