Our story — Meet Tanja
I spent almost a decade living away from Australia — five years in London and then three in Berlin. While I was overseas, I fell in with a group of textile artists who worked with natural fibres and traditional methods. I had no experience, but I got hooked. After a few years experimenting on the side, I quit my job in advertising and started working full-time in a small weaving studio in Neukölln. The owners taught me how to properly finish linen, and how to source flax from mills in Belgium. Even though I was far from home, I realised I was drawn to textures and patterns that reminded me of the Australian landscape.
By the time I came back to Australia in 2019, I was itching to make something of my own. I moved back to my family's home on Brisbane's northside and started turning my old bedroom into a tiny workshop. My dad helped me sand down an old workbench, and I set up a secondhand loom I’d shipped over from Germany. It quickly became clear that I didn’t want to just copy what I’d done in Berlin. I wanted to work with local fibres and colours that made sense here. On a trip to the Perth Hills, I visited a sheep farm that was producing superfine merino wool, and that was the moment it clicked.
Still River Co started properly in early 2020. I had just two products to begin with: handwoven linen throws and a set of merino wool cushions, both made here in Australia. I was doing everything from the weaving to the packing out of a small workshop I’d rented in Darlington, WA. In the early days, I mostly sold at markets in Perth — my first big sale was a $1,200 order at the Kalamunda Farmers Market. I reinvested that into more supplies, and by the end of the year, I had a tiny online store up and running. It’s grown since then, but that first year is still what shaped how I want to do things.
These days, Still River Co is based fully in the Perth Hills. Some products still come straight from my loom, and others are made with local suppliers who share the same approach. I still think about that first workshop in Brisbane when I’m working on something new. It’s always been about combining the techniques I learned overseas with the materials and shapes that feel like home.
— Thanks for supporting something small and steady — Tanja, Tanja Boldt
Journal
Merino Wool in a Dry, Hot Summer
WA summers and merino wool don't naturally mix, but there's a reason I still swear by it in March.
March is a weird month in WA. You’ve still got the dry heat of summer hanging around, but the nights start to carry a little chill. It's the kind of weather that confuses your wardrobe. The same could be said for home textiles. I still reach for our Merino Wool Throw Pillow, though. Merino wool breathes like nothing else — it keeps the heat under control during the day but doesn’t feel cold when the temp drops at night.
The wool we use comes from a supplier in Victoria, where the Merino sheep are bred specifically for fine-grade fleece. It’s not the thick, scratchy wool I grew up avoiding as a kid. This is soft, almost silky, and works beautifully in an Australian home. We order in 40kg lots, enough to cover two production runs of pillows and throws.
Wool’s natural ability to wick moisture is what makes it work in our climate. Summer humidity, though far gentler in the Perth Hills compared to Sydney or Brisbane, can still get into the house. But Merino doesn’t hold onto it like other fibres. That means no damp feeling, no musty smell — just a quick shake in the morning and it’s fresh again.
In March, I’ll often drag one of the throw pillows outside. There’s a cane chair on the verandah where I like to sit with a book, maybe a glass of Chenin Blanc if I’m feeling indulgent. Something about the texture of the wool, almost weightless on my back but structured enough to support it, slows me down in a good way.
I didn’t think much about wool when I was living in London because it was everywhere, but it’s been a small surprise how well it suits home life here. Even in a region famous for its eucalyptus trees and dry earth. Maybe it’s that contrast that makes it feel right.
Autumn in the Perth Hills with Linen Throws
Autumn creeps in slowly here, but by May, you start to notice it in the air and on the trees.
May is when autumn starts to really show itself in the Perth Hills. The mornings are crisp and the deciduous trees turn colours that almost feel out of place against all the green gum leaves. It’s also when my favourite linen throw tends to migrate around the house. One week it’s over the back of the couch; next, it’s folded at the end of the bed.
The linen we use in these throws comes from small batches sourced via a wholesaler in Italy. I’d love to tell you it’s local, but the truth is, Australian flax production is minuscule. There’s not much of a market for it here yet. However, the Italian mills we work with have been around for over 70 years. They do this incredible stone-washing process that gives the linen its soft, lived-in texture.
If you’ve ever tried using a linen throw as an outdoor picnic blanket, fair warning: it doesn’t do well in a strong breeze. But it’s perfect for a calm autumn afternoon. My kids and I like to spread one out under the paperbark trees near Lake Leschenaultia, with a thermos of tea and whatever snacks are lying around the pantry. By moonlight, it’s back on the couch for movie night.
Linen tends to get stronger as it ages, which is the opposite of most textiles. I’ve got an old throw from our first production run in 2020 that looks even better now than when I first brought it home. It’s a little sun-faded from being left outside one too many times, but that just adds to the charm.
If you’re lucky enough to live near the Hills, May is also when the wildflowers start to bloom. Blue Leschenaultia and pink fairy orchids are my favourites. Next time I’m out there with a throw blanket, I’ll make sure to take note of what else is popping up this season.
How We Make Soy Candles in Small Batches
Making candles sounds straightforward, but there’s a lot more trial and error than you might expect — especially with scents.
Candles are one of those things that sound simple in theory: wax, wick, jar, done. The reality is a little messier. We pour our Premium Soy Candle Trio in 2kg batches, which works out to roughly 12 candles at a time. Any bigger than that and the wax doesn’t cool evenly, which can leave the surface looking pitted.
The soy wax we use is from a supplier in Queensland. Australian-grown soy isn’t as common as I’d like, but I found this supplier three years ago and haven’t looked back. The wax arrives in 20kg slabs, which we break down into smaller chunks with an old bread knife. It’s satisfying, in an odd way, to hear the knife crack through the wax.
Our scents are blended in-house, but getting them right takes trial and error. A single candle needs between 6–10% fragrance oil, depending on the scent’s strength. Too much oil and the candle won’t burn cleanly; too little and you can barely smell it. I’ve wasted more wicks than I care to admit during testing. My personal favourite from the trio is Wild Lemon Myrtle. It reminds me of hiking with friends in Denmark (WA, not Europe) when the scrub was thick with citrusy myrtle.
The tins are sourced from a Melbourne-based packaging company. They’re lightweight but sturdy, which is handy when you’re shipping them cross-country. We’ve also started working with a local recycling initiative so customers can send their empty tins back to be repurposed. It’s a small step, but it feels like the right one.
There’s something meditative about the whole process. From melting the wax on the stovetop to centring each wick by hand, it forces you to slow down. If I ever lose the rhythm of this, I’ll know it’s time to stop making candles altogether.
Why I Still Use Bamboo Cutting Boards Daily
Bamboo cutting boards are everywhere these days, but they’ve earned their spot in my kitchen for a few key reasons.
Bamboo cutting boards seem to be in every homewares store now, which wasn’t the case when I first started looking into them. Back then, I was living in Berlin and did most of my chopping on a heavy oak board that weighed nearly as much as my dog. It was gorgeous, but not forgiving on knives. Bamboo is different — it’s dense enough to hold up to everyday use but doesn’t dull your blades as quickly.
Our EcoBamboo Cutting Board Set is made with bamboo sourced from a plantation in Vietnam. We’ve stuck with the same supplier since 2018. They kiln-dry the bamboo in sections to avoid splitting, then laminate it with food-safe adhesive. Each board in the set gets its final sand and oiling here in Perth. We use tung oil because it’s non-toxic and leaves a clean finish.
One thing I’ve noticed about bamboo is how it handles water. It’s more water-resistant than hardwood, which is a lifesaver when you have kids who inevitably forget to dry things properly. That said, it’s still wood, in a botanical sense, and it will warp if you put it in the dishwasher. I learned this the hard way with one of our early prototypes.
The boards in the set are three different sizes, which seemed a bit excessive when we were first designing them. But I use all three regularly now. The smallest is perfect for cutting limes when I’m making a gin and tonic, and the largest has become my go-to Sunday roast carving board. It’s got these helpful juice grooves that keep the mess contained — something my oak board definitely didn’t have.
Every now and then, I’ll think about switching back to a hardwood board, purely for aesthetic reasons. And yet, the bamboo ones hold their own. They’ve settled into the rhythm of daily life, and that feels just as important as how they look.
Customer reviews
Emily C. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-02-03 — 5/5
Beautiful linen throw
I bought the Still River Linen Throw Blanket and couldn’t be happier. The fabric feels soft yet durable, and delivery was quicker than expected.
Matt R. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-05-12 — 4/5
Great addition to my kitchen
The EcoBamboo Cutting Board Set is great to use and looks amazing in my kitchen. It would have been five stars if the boards were slightly larger.
Chloe H. — Northcote, VIC — 2024-07-18 — 5/5
Lovely candle set
The Premium Soy Candle Trio smells incredible and burns evenly. Perfect for gifting or keeping for yourself.
Jack T. — West End, QLD — 2024-11-02 — 4/5
Wool pillow is soft
The Merino Wool Throw Pillow is very comfortable and looks nice on my couch. It’s a little smaller than I expected, but still great quality.
Grace L. — Bondi, NSW — 2025-01-15 — 5/5
Perfect vase
The Handcrafted Ceramic Vase is stunning and has become the centrepiece of my dining table. Delivery was seamless too.
Olivia W. — Adelaide CBD, SA — 2025-03-22 — 5/5
Highly recommend!
I’ve ordered a few things from Still River Co, and everything has been fantastic. The Linen Throw Blanket is my favourite so far.
Lucas M. — Darwin, NT — 2025-06-07 — 5/5
Excellent cutting boards
The EcoBamboo Cutting Board Set is practical and good-looking. They arrived well-packaged and in perfect condition.
Sophie B. — Hobart, TAS — 2025-07-30 — 4/5
Nice, but slightly pricey
I bought the Premium Soy Candle Trio as a gift. The scents are lovely, but I wish the set had been a little more affordable.
Returns
We accept returns within 30 days of you receiving your order, provided the items are unused, in their original packaging, and in resellable condition. To start a return, please contact us at hello@stillriverco.com with your order details.
Refunds will be processed back to your original payment method within 7 business days of us receiving and inspecting the returned items. Please note, return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item is faulty.
Certain items, such as gift cards, sale products, and custom orders, cannot be returned. This policy complies with Australian Consumer Law, which also entitles you to a remedy if a product is faulty, significantly different from its description, or not fit for purpose.