IconByDesign's Mother-Daughter Duo
Celebrating Mother's Day
IconByDesign started 10 years ago from the challenge the Light family had finding furniture for their own home that they knew they would still love after a decade of use. It has grown into a thriving family business grounded in trust, collaboration, and timeless style.
Being a family-run company means decisions happen a little differently. Most ideas start around the kitchen table, through conversation and a genuine love for bringing comfort and design into everyday life. That’s exactly how our best-selling sofa colour came to life, with Nicola, the daughter, dropping by for Sunday brunch with her mum, Dorienne.
To celebrate Mother's Day we sat down for a quick Q&A with the mother–daughter duo to explore how their shared vision and individual perspectives come together so naturally.
Q: Tell us how the conversation about this green for the Anika sofa started?
Dorienne: It wasn’t intentional, it was just supposed to be brunch. But, as often happens when we’re both so passionate about design and the importance of building a home you love being in, the conversation naturally turned to colour. We started talking about what makes a colour feel “neutral” in a space.
Nicola: In my home, grey doesn’t feel neutral, but it does in my parents’ place. Mum’s grey sofa is a grounding base for all the other beautiful pieces in her living room. It looks contemporary and fresh. But in my home, grey feels stark, maybe because I live in the city and it comes off as too urban.
Dorienne: My kitchen window looks out onto lots of trees, so the conversation led us to how earthy greens can feel neutral. It’s a colour we’re surrounded by in nature, so it feel "right".
Nicola: Even though green is obviously a colour, it somehow can feel neutral, kind of like how denim feels neutral in fashion, even though it’s blue.
Q: Wow, the process all sounds so effortless.
Nicola: Only until it came time to choose the actual texture and shade! (laughs) We sat with piles of fabric swatches, debating textures, and whether yellow or blue undertones made for a better earthy green. We wanted something fresh yet timeless, a nod to nature and the perfect complement to the clean lines and beautiful oak IconByDesign is known for.
Dorienne: It was really important to us that the colour would work in real homes. A sofa is often the focal point of the living room, and the upholstery needed to bring a sense of calm and warmth. It wasn’t about following trends, it was about what feels right.
Q: What made you land on this one?
Dorienne: It was the first swatch we both instantly agreed on. We loved the earthy depth created by the blend of green and grey yarns woven through the fabric. The soft chenille texture felt inviting and lived-in, exactly what we wanted.
Nicola: We’re really lucky. My mum is my best friend and the person whose opinion I trust most, on everything. Even when we disagree, we know it’ll lead to something better. We’re both so happy with this colour, and so excited that so many people are loving it for their home.
Q: What does working together as a family mean to you?
Nicola: It means creating something lasting. Not just beautiful products, but shared memories too. The business is all 4 of us, my dad and brother too. The four of us have such different strengths, interests and perspectives. We challenge each other, while also supporting each other.
Dorienne: We know that everything we do and say is rooted in care. We’re building something that reflects who we are, and we’re proud of that. At IconByDesign, family isn’t just part of the story, it is the story.
Anika Collection
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$5,999 - $7,499Save up to $1,500 (20%) -
$1,319 - $1,649Save up to $330 (20%) -
$1,439 - $1,799Save up to $360 (20%)
