our story.

Family Founded was born with a belief that whatever we surround ourselves with should reflect all that we value; a simple life spending time with those we love, surrounded by what we love. It is truly a family affair.

My husband Rob and I (Sharon) have four amazing young adult children and are besotted grandparents; Opi and Mimi to Rosie, Eloise and Olivia. Family is the reason we do everything we do.

When we’re not working on Family Founded, we spend our days with our family enjoying precious time together.

Family Founded is our dream and our creative space where we continue to grow and share. We have always found beauty in detail, textures, layers, colours, blending old with new and balancing function with aesthetic. Our aim is to achieve all of these qualities in whatever we design, sew, forage or collect.

We are always on the hunt for one-of-a-kind pieces that have been handcrafted, those that are timeless and tell a story of the past. Our home and lifestyle are a reflection of this.

Our desire is to share what we find and create with the hope that they reflect the lifestyle so dear to our hearts.

Meet our Family

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Sharon
Sharon

At the core of Family Founded lies my deep love for vintage furniture and crafting, nurtured by my childhood spent with family. I grew up exploring markets and studying art, fostering a love for diverse cultures and artistic expressions. Weekends were spent drawing, sewing with my grandmother, building with my dad, and molding clay with my Nan, discovering the beauty and stories in handcrafted pieces.

My experiences in fashion and artistry intricately weave a unique thread into Family Founded. They fuel my passion for creativity, attention to detail, and commitment to preserving timeless craft and skill. When my husband, Rob, and I bought our Californian bungalow in 1986, we never dreamt it would become the heart and inspiration behind Family Founded. As our family grew, so did our home, evolving through demolitions and extensions while preserving cherished aesthetics and furniture.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, facing redundancy sparked a new chapter. I rediscovered my passion for vintage, antiques, and styling, collaborating with my daughter Kate to bring Family Founded to life. Driven by our values, we prioritize recycling, reusing, and restoring old pieces, giving them new life. Through Family Founded, we invite others to embrace the handcrafted, timeless beauty of antique and vintage, and the enduring warmth of home.

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Rob
Rob

When Sharon first shared her ideas for Family Founded, I sensed its potential for something special. Working together had always been our dream, especially if it involved our family. My dad's renovations during my childhood sparked my love for transforming spaces, instilling in me a DIY ethos and appreciation for preservation.

In 1982, I met Sharon, who shared my enthusiasm for building and expanding. Together, we turned our cottage into a cherished family home, embracing my self-taught carpentry skills. Sharon's talent for restoring vintage furniture added a unique touch, aligning with our preference for repurposing. My diverse professional background provided fresh perspectives on our home projects.

Weekends were spent with Sharon and our children, nurturing our garden, working in the shed, and renovating – simply doing what we loved. Family Founded wasn't a deliberate goal; it evolved organically as we fulfilled our shared dream of involving our family. Witnessing its growth and global appreciation has been truly heartwarming.

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Our Family
Our Family

Our dream for Family Founded has always been for each of our four children, as well as ourselves. Surprisingly, our business has become the force that brings us all closer. Far from worrying about seeing less of our children, we're blessed with more time together, including our grandchildren.

Kate is here most often, accompanied by her husband Nick and their daughters Rosie and Eloise. Kate has played a crucial role, bringing organizational skills and insightful ideas to Family Founded. Brittany, is married to Chase and they have a beautiful baby Olivia. Brit has a quiet yet significant presence at our workshops, ensuring smooth operations. Tom and Ash, with their groodle Delilah, visit often, and Charlotte and Chris are always ready to help in the shop. Our granddaughters, Rosie and Eloise, always join us. Rosie helps during workshops, while they play in our store, filling it with happiness.

Their support, encouragement, and love for what we do is what drives us every day. And together, as a family, we continue our journey finding joy in the shared experiences that come with building our dream.

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As Family Founded grows, it remains a heartfelt endeavour, a labour of love, restoring and sourcing vintage pieces that tell stories of generations.

It's more than a business; it's a celebration of family, creativity, and the timeless allure of carefully chosen pieces that resonate with soul. We look forward to continuing this journey, sharing our passion with those who appreciate the beauty of a home filled with history and heart.

Our home and business have appeared in:

  • "I feel so fortunate to have discovered Family Founded. It is a treasure trove of special vintage pieces hand picked by Sharon and her family. I feel like I have my own personal stylist. It is always a pleasure to open the packages so beautifully wrapped with a personal message. Sharon has also suggested couriers to transport furniture interstate and the items have arrived in perfect condition. Distance is no barrier making it all the more tempting."

    - Valerie Rutherford 


  • "Not only have three of my most favourite pieces of furniture come from Family Founded but the enjoyment and knowledge I gained from Sharon’s courses was so inspirational and worthwhile. I loved them and really cherish Sharon and her family’s friendship."

    - Edwina Shand 

  • "I am always on the look out for that beautiful unique piece for my eclectic interiors. Not only will you find this at Family Founded but also a stunning vintage furniture piece or accessory that has been given a new lease of life. Through the  love + attention of the creative team. Family founded is a wonderful business with heart & story to tell."

    - Belle Hemming Bright @bellebrightproject 

  • "Your Paint and Restore workshop was such an open and transparent insight into the techniques you use and the amazing array of effects that can be created and new life injected into so many things, anything really. I must say I am walking around the house with whole new eyes and can’t wait to launch at some projects."

    - Alix Kelly - workshop guest

for updates and inspiration follow @family_founded

all photography by Family Founded and Melinda Tonzing @melindatonzing_photography

A colour story of T U S C A N Y, oh how I adore you. #travel #inspiration #colourswelove
Our favourite piece this week and it’s overflowing with character and charm. This vintage pine kitchen dresser has three shelves and provides ample space for displaying and storing your collection of crockery and linen napery. It’s a re
Come and join us… If you’d like to learn how to restore furniture pieces and how to paint beautiful interior walls we’ll show you how to do it. You don’t need any prior skills, we”ll take you through all the steps. As