Miko Designs: bringing the best names in furniture to Canberra

Posted on 17 December, 2024

Design-savvy Canberrans in the know have been enjoying top Australian and European-crafted furniture since Miko Designs opened its showroom doors in Fyshwick in 2018.

Now it’s about time the rest of us found out!

Six years ago, Stuart Finlayson and Stephanie McKenzie opened their beautifully curated store to fill a void in Canberra’s design market, offering thoughtfully designed and functional furniture that reflects both style and comfort.

From chairs to tables, sofas to beds, artworks to lighting, rugs to cushions, these are statement pieces, designed to make an impact and built to last a lifetime – not the sort of mass-produced furniture relevant for a season.

The airy industrial showroom is an aesthetic wonderland, opening up in a corner brick building on the corner of Barrier and Isa Streets, and providing a plethora of vignettes showing how the different pieces can be brought together in a cohesive interior design story.  It’s hard not to want to buy a whole new living room once you get through the front door.

“Miko was created over a glass of wine when we were on a trip to Melbourne furniture shopping. The Australian design scene is flourishing, and we wanted to bring a little piece of that to Canberra. Stephanie and I were also excited to take on the challenge of building a business from the ground up,” says Stuart.

“Our goal was to create a showroom of authentic designs to inspire. We converted an industrial space over a couple of months, and while it was hard work, it was so exciting to see our dream evolve into reality.”

From Australian designers such as Furnished Forever, Curious Tales, Lowe, and Studio Pip to international names such as Kvadrat, Herman Miller and Mattiazzi, each piece comes with a design heritage.

And when it comes to Miko’s customers, Stuart says there’s no one-size-fits-all, but there’s a shared appreciation for local, handcrafted and considered design.

“We cater to residential customers, homeowners, interior designers, architects and anyone with a passion for creating beautiful, functional spaces,” he says.

“Whether our residential customers are furnishing their first apartment, refreshing a family home, downsizing, or creating a space that reflects their personality, we hope to forge an appreciation for value quality and aesthetics.”

One of Miko’s key offerings is its customisable pieces which allow homeowners to source the perfect rug size, or table length to suit a room renovation or a new build.

According to Stuart, “One of the things we really enjoy is offering a consultation service where we can come into a home and help fill it out, or find the right piece to finish a room – or people can come to us with measurement.”

There are even customisable options in the Marc Pascal lighting, where the designer can hand-dye the sculptural forms in his signature lighting to match the colour palette of a room.

“Honestly, we pride ourselves on finding the perfect design solution, and we love a challenge!”.

Stuart and Stephanie are expertly assisted in their work by Alana Ring, an interior designer who has worked with some of Canberra’s best design firms, including Dept. of Design.

Meanwhile, the ever-evolving showroom is a pleasurable walk-through of options and experiences, showing customers how to take a statement sofa and find the perfect artwork and lamp to set it off. Design trends currently on the floor include Japandi, curved bouclé sofas, and the return of ‘80s design.

The couple, who both have design backgrounds, love acquiring new pieces and moving the showroom around in order to bring new design visions to life and encourage Canberrans to create interiors that reflect their lifestyle.

“The city’s unique blend of nature, culture, and architecture inspires people to look for pieces that combine beauty and functionality,” says Stuart.

“We find that our customers are not just looking for furniture – they’re seeking pieces that tell a story and create a comfortable, stylish home or commercial space.”

According the Stuart, the essence of Miko Designs lies in its commitment to using quality materials such as timbers and textiles, paired with timeless design and craft.

“We believe that true style is enduring, and our focus remains on creating pieces that last.”

And for those having trouble creating their own vision, Stuart is constantly on hand for advice (and a measuring tape!) to bring a home to its full aesthetic potential.

Feature Image: Alana Ring, Stuart Finlayson and Stephanie McKenzie.

All photography by Taylah Cunningham.