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Wednesday 26 October 2011

Who is behind FRL?


The creative minds behind FRL are sisters Deni Fowle and Loren Zoka.



Deni Fowle, aka Mrs Chicken. Deni first opened an online children’s store, Cheeky Chickies, back in 2006 whilst on maternity leave with her first born, Amalia. The opportunity had arisen, and seemed to be a welcome change from her work as an adolescent psychologist within youth mental health and juvenile justice settings. Working alongside Australian designers in the kids product industry, Deni’s inspiration was flowing, and after the birth of her second child Taelan in 2008, decided to launch the Cheeky Chickies an all Australian made from 100% certified organic cotton clothing label. Having dreamed of opening her own store for several years, and becoming increasingly weary from all the running around between Expo’s at Darling Harbour, pop up shops at Westfield shopping centres, and the odd boutique designer market, the timing felt right for Deni to {take a step back} and settle in to one fixed location.

Loren Zoka has always had creative bones,  studying Interior Design @ Enmore Design Centre. Her portfolio includes contracting with local Interior Designers, and working with private clients on residential, retail and hospitality projects. Feeling the need to be busy, she changed course a little and worked as a Trade Representative to Architects, Interior designers and builders in the natural stone and tile industry. In 2005 she and her husband designed and built their own home overlooking Botany Bay in Kurnell, and 4years later welcomed their beautiful miracle twins, Zsa Zsa & Axel. Loren’s Interior Design skills have not gone unnoticed, with her  stunning nursery space featured in 'Little ONE Baby magazine. Loving motherhood and wanting to be as available to the twins as possible, Loren looks forward to working close to home, and keeping her creative juices flowing in FRL.

Image courtesy of Frankie Zoka Photographic Imagery.

Monday 24 October 2011

Local Images

Thought we would share some images of the beautiful village where Free Range Living emporium is located!

Images are courtesy of Frankie Zoka Photographic Imagery. Some of this work will be available for puchase in store!








Kurnell boasts the stunning locations of Bonna Point, Silver Beach, Potter Point, Voodoo and our heritage listed wetlands of Towra Point.

Friday 21 October 2011

a little inspiration expedition

This week we headed out on a little expedition to get some inspiration for shop fittings and creative projects. First stop was Reverse Garbage in Marrickville, and then on to Doug Up On Bourke. We took turns carrying the twins when pram access was not feasible. Below Deni on left at RG and Loren with baby Zsa Zsa.
 

Next we headed in to Cloth - Deni being a massive fan of Australian textiles designers, and then stopped by the new store Follow - run by the two funky chicks behind the famous Finders Keepers Markets. 

Sunday 9 October 2011

humble beginnings

We thought it was about time we shared some images of what will become the Free Range Living emporium and creative learning space!



Located opposite Kamay Botany Bay National Park, Kurnell NSW. For those of you who are not up on your History of Australia - this is where Captain James Cook first anchored the Endeavour and ventured out to discover what our beautiful land had to offer, way back in 1770.

We are in Shop 1 of 2-4 Prince Charles Parade, Kurnell, opposite the park entrance and the beautiful shores of Silver Beach, Botany Bay.

The building, completed in 2008, also hosts a great cafe, and then next door, you will find Kurnell Art Gallery.

As this will be the first use of the space, we have to submit a Development Application to Sutherland Shire Council, though are very lucky to have access to the shop as we wait for the approval to go through.

As you can see, we have covered up the windows for some privacy, and we have started cleaning the space to make room for the fittings - one of which will be this great reclaimed timber palette!