Our story — Meet Thomas
I never set out to run a business. For years, I worked as a researcher at the University of Adelaide, specialising in environmental materials. My focus was on small-scale, everyday applications — particularly textiles and ceramics. In 2016, I moved back to Hobart to be closer to family, bringing my research with me. At first, I thought I’d continue in academia, but I found myself increasingly experimenting at home with practical uses for the concepts I’d been studying.
Before this, I’d been digging into supply chain data for a study on regional resources. That’s where I discovered something surprising: Tasmania’s wool and cotton logistics are deeply interwoven with smaller, underutilised suppliers. I started reaching out to mills and family-run workshops around the state, like a cotton supplier near Launceston. That work planted the seed — I realised there was potential to connect these local resources to products people could actually use.
Windsor Lane Co started in 2018 with a prototype project. I wanted to see if I could apply my material research to something practical and sellable, so I designed a batch of 25 woven throws using 100% organic cotton from the supplier I’d connected with earlier. I showed them at a local market in Salamanca Place. That first weekend, I sold out. People asked when the next batch was coming. So, I made more. Gradually, it snowballed into a proper business, and I’ve been building it ever since.
Now, Windsor Lane Co operates from a small workshop in Hobart. I still work closely with the same Tasmanian suppliers, and every product starts with the same methodical care I put into that first throw. It’s grown, but it’s still grounded in the details that make it feel like home to me. I’m happiest when I’m at the workbench, testing new ideas and seeing where they take me.
— Thanks for reading — Thomas, Thomas Pearce
Journal
On Finding Local Clay for Our Vases
Exploring Tasmania's local clay sources led to a surprising discovery in a small quarry just outside Oatlands.
When I first started working on the Sunset Ridge Ceramic Vase, I didn’t think much about where the clay itself came from. It was just a blank medium to shape, glaze, and fire. But a few months into this project-turned-business, I started reading about Tasmanian clays and realised I was missing the chance to ground the pieces in the very land I love. This led me to a small quarry just outside Oatlands, where I found the most wonderful kaolin-rich clay — a pale, almost creamy base that takes glaze colours in a way I hadn’t seen before.
The clay isn’t perfect, though. It has a tendency toward cracking if overworked, so I had to rethink my process a bit. Instead of throwing the vases directly on the wheel, I started with hand-building techniques to reduce stress on the material. This made the process slower, but the results were worth it. The finished vases have a subtle texture, almost like wind-smoothed stone, that fits perfectly with the coastal landscapes that inspired the design.
That quarry isn’t a commercial operation in the usual sense. It’s more of a side project for a retired geologist, who sells to potters like me on a very small scale. He showed me layers of clay in the hillside and explained how the iron content varies even within a few metres, which affects how the clay behaves in the kiln. I went home that day with 40 kilograms of raw clay in the back of my car and a head full of ideas.
Working with this clay isn’t always easy. Between its quirks and the fact that I have to process it myself — sieving to remove grit, testing shrinkage rates — it’s not the most practical choice. But there’s something about knowing exactly where it comes from that feels right. Every time I open the kiln and see the finished pieces, I think about that hillside and the hours I spent learning how to coax this material into something beautiful.
I still keep a couple of raw lumps of that clay on my workbench. When I pick them up, the texture takes me right back to Oatlands. There’s something grounding about working with materials that hold the memory of the land they came from.
How to Layer Throws for Winter Warmth
Layering throws isn’t just aesthetic; it’s a practical way to stay warm during Tasmania’s long, chilly winters.
When winter sets in here in Hobart, the cold is persistent. It seeps into older homes like mine, and turning up the heater isn’t always an option. That’s when layering throws becomes not just a comfort, but a necessity. I’ve learned that the key is mixing textures and thicknesses to trap warmth without feeling weighed down.
For my own couch, I start with a lightweight wool base — usually one of our Bayside Coastal Throw Blankets. It’s warm but breathable, which makes it a good foundation. Over that, I’ll add something chunkier, like an old cable-knit throw I’ve had for years. It creates little air pockets that hold heat. If it’s particularly cold, I’ll top it off with something fleece-lined or sherpa-style for extra insulation.
Placement makes a difference, too. I drape the first throw to cover the entire seating area, tucking it around cushions for a snug fit. The second layer gets folded and placed over the backrest or armrest, ready to pull over as needed. The final layer, the warmest one, stays folded at the foot of the couch. This way, I can adjust the layers depending on how cold it gets throughout the evening.
I’ve also started keeping one of our throws in the car. It’s come in handy more than once, whether for impromptu picnics or just staying warm during a roadside break. Last winter, I even took one on a camping trip to Bruny Island. It ended up being the most versatile item I packed — it worked as a scarf, a blanket, and even a makeshift curtain when the sun rose too early.
Layering throws might sound overly simple, but there’s a bit of an art to it. The right combination can make a big difference, especially when the southerly winds are howling outside. It’s one of those small rituals that makes winter here not just bearable, but enjoyable.
How We Design Our Picnic Baskets
Designing the Outback Adventure Picnic Basket involved some surprising decisions, including figuring out the best layout for wine bottles.
When I set out to design our Outback Adventure Picnic Basket, I underestimated how much thought goes into something as seemingly simple as ‘what fits where.’ I didn’t want it to be one of those baskets that looks nice but is a nightmare to actually use. So, I started by gathering feedback. I asked friends who camp or picnic regularly, and the same complaints kept coming up: baskets were either too heavy or badly organised. One friend even mentioned losing a bottle of wine in the Derwent River because the basket tipped over mid-paddle. Not ideal.
The first design had separate compartments for everything — cutlery, plates, bottles, and food. It looked great on paper, but in practice, it felt like a puzzle box. There wasn’t enough flexibility for larger items, and the compartments made the overall basket smaller than I wanted. So, I went back to the idea of a single large main compartment, with adjustable straps to hold just a few essentials, like wine bottles or a thermos. This way, you can pack it how you like without losing key storage features.
We also had a minor crisis with the handles. The first prototype had leather handles, which seemed sturdy, but once I filled it with about 6kg of gear — a realistic picnic load — they started to stretch uncomfortably. I ended up switching to woven jute reinforced with cotton, which felt more reliable and actually fit the design better. The handle testing alone took a solid two months to get right.
Then came the matter of fabric linings. I spent too many evenings debating with myself over colour choices. I wanted something muted and neutral, but not boring. Eventually, I landed on a sandy tan with thin white stripes — it reminded me of sunlit beaches. The fabric itself had to be durable and stain-resistant, which narrowed things down to a short list of three suppliers. I now source the lining from a small operation in Geelong that specialises in hard-wearing cotton blends.
All of these tiny decisions added up. By the time the first basket was finished, I’d realised just how many things you have to get right for something to feel simple when in use. The final design holds about 15kg comfortably, fits a full meal for four, and has survived more than one unplanned drop test. It’s an odd feeling, seeing something that started as a bunch of sketches now sitting in people’s boot spaces, ready for adventure.
Autumn Candles and the Smell of Changing Seasons
Autumn in Hobart smells like damp earth, eucalyptus, and a hint of wood smoke — which inspired our Hinterland candles.
Autumn is my favourite season in Hobart. The air gets that crisp bite, mornings start later, and the smell of damp earth mixes with eucalyptus after the first real rains. It’s also when I find myself lighting candles most often. There’s something about a flickering flame on a cool evening that makes everything feel calmer. When I was working on the Hinterland Aromatherapy Candle Set, it was this exact feeling I wanted to capture.
Each candle in the set has its own scent story, but the one I come back to most is the ‘Autumn Trail’ blend. It’s a mix of Tasmanian leatherwood honey, cedarwood, and a hint of black pepper essential oil. I spent weeks testing the ratios — just one drop too many of cedar and it overwhelmed everything else. The final blend has a subtle sweetness with a bit of warmth and depth, which reminds me of walking through the Huon Valley after a rainstorm.
Sourcing the oils was another process entirely. I wanted to use as many Tasmanian ingredients as possible, but there are limits. Leatherwood honey is easy to find here, but cedarwood? Not so much. In the end, I had to blend Tasmanian-grown oils with some sourced from Victoria. The black pepper came from an organic supplier in Queensland. It doesn’t all come from home, but it still feels connected to this place in spirit.
Pouring candles, I’ve learned, is one of those tasks that requires patience. The wax has to be just the right temperature before you add the oils — around 60°C for the soy blend I use. Too hot, and the fragrance burns off; too cold, and it doesn’t mix properly. I’ve melted and re-poured more test batches than I care to count. But when it works, the scent throw is incredible. I lit one in the dining room last week, and within ten minutes, the whole house smelled like a Huon forest.
Autumn always feels like both an ending and a beginning. It’s when I start thinking about slowing down, making spaces cosier, and embracing those transitional moments when the seasons shift. Lighting a candle is a small thing, but it makes a big difference on those evenings when the sun dips early and the cool air creeps in.
Customer reviews
Sarah B. — Fitzroy, VIC — 2024-03-15 — 5/5
Lovely blanket
Ordered the Bayside Coastal Throw Blanket, and it’s perfect for Melbourne’s unpredictable weather. It arrived in just three days, which was a nice surprise.
James T. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-05-02 — 4/5
Beautiful but slightly smaller than expected
The Sunset Ridge Ceramic Vase is stunning and arrived well-packaged. It’s a bit smaller than I thought, but it still works for my shelf.
Emily G. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-06-20 — 5/5
Perfect for picnics
I bought the Outback Adventure Picnic Basket, and it’s become my go-to for weekends in the park. Everything fits neatly, and the quality is solid.
Oliver K. — Brunswick, VIC — 2024-12-09 — 5/5
Stylish and functional
The Harbourview Wicker Storage Basket is both sturdy and great to look at. It arrived quickly and in perfect condition.
Anna J. — West End, QLD — 2025-01-07 — 5/5
One of the best candles I’ve tried
The Hinterland Aromatherapy Candle Set smells amazing! The packaging was simple but secure, and it shipped within the week.
Mark R. — Manly, NSW — 2024-11-03 — 4/5
Good but took a bit longer to ship
The Bayside Coastal Throw Blanket is great quality, but my order arrived a couple of days later than expected. Still worth it, though.
Chloe W. — Norwood, SA — 2025-02-19 — 5/5
Great as a gift
I gave the Sunset Ridge Ceramic Vase to a friend, and she loves it. The design is unique, and it felt special to gift.
Tom S. — Darwin, NT — 2024-07-31 — 4/5
Picnic perfect
The Outback Adventure Picnic Basket is very practical and looks great. Shipping took a little longer to Darwin, but the product itself is excellent.
Returns
We have a 30-day return window, starting from the day you receive your order. To qualify for a return, items must be unused, in their original packaging, and include all tags. Sale items and gift cards are excluded from our returns policy.
Refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 5-10 business days of receiving your returned item. Customers are responsible for return shipping costs unless the item is faulty. If you believe your item has a defect, please contact us as soon as possible.
Our returns policy adheres to the Australian Consumer Law, meaning you are entitled to a replacement, repair, or refund if your item is faulty, significantly different from its description, or doesn’t do what it’s supposed to. Contact us at hello@windsorlaneco.com.au to start a return.