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Tigmi Trading occupies a converted industrial building on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay's Arts and Industrial Estate. The 1990s Besser brick structure once offered little in the way of warmth or character. Today it reads as something closer to a Milanese design studio — unexpected, unhurried and worth seeking out.
The transformation is the work of Tigmi founder and creative director Danielle McEwan. She drew on neoclassical industrial references to reimagine the raw shell. A Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired garden marks the entrance, leading visitors through a striking trio of steel arches. Inside, raw plaster walls carry natural pigments that shift with the light. A bold chocolate-brown tiled bar anchors the centre of the space. A Brutalist display wall by Den Holm artist Steve Clark adds sculptural weight and a sense of accumulated history.
The store carries a strong selection of twentieth-century design, with named pieces from some of the most collected mid-century figures. Pierre Paulin's sinuous forms sit near Charlotte Perriand's functionalist furniture. Mario Bellini's modular Camaleonda sofa shares the floor with Michel Ducaroy's Togo seating. Tobia Scarpa and Pierre Jeanneret are also represented, alongside Jan Ekselius and his undulating Etcetera chair. These are not casual decorative choices. Each piece reflects a clear editorial point of view about what design from that era actually means.
Vintage and contemporary rugs form a significant part of the offer. Tigmi sources from Morocco and Turkey, and also stocks pieces from Nordic studio Cappelen Dimyr. For shoppers interested in locally made work, the store carries furniture from a collaboration with Byron Bay artist Lex Williams — described as Tigmi's first locally designed furniture line. The result is a floor that moves fluidly between continents and decades without feeling scattered.
The brand's approach to sourcing reflects a broader commitment to ethical production. Tigmi has partnered with GoodWeave to support transparent rug supply chains, and a program with local NGO Reforest Now plants a tree for each rug sold. These initiatives sit behind the product rather than in front of it — the store does not wear its ethics as a sales pitch.
Private consultations are available by appointment for those wanting a more focused session. The space suits interior designers and collectors looking for statement pieces, but it also rewards anyone with a passing curiosity about mid-century design and how it translates into a lived-in home. Byron Bay's design scene tends toward the casual and beachy; Tigmi sits at a deliberate remove from that register.
The Arts and Industrial Estate location matters. It draws visitors away from the main strip and into a part of town that rewards the detour. The store does not announce itself loudly. It is the kind of place that works best when you give it time — to move through the space, to sit in a chair, to notice what the light does to the plaster walls in the afternoon. For collectors tracking down reissues of mid-century classics or sourcing vintage rugs with documented provenance, this is one of the more considered destinations in regional New South Wales.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Where exactly is Tigmi Trading located in Byron Bay?
A: The store is on Bayshore Drive in Byron Bay's Arts and Industrial Estate — a short drive from the main strip. The converted 1990s Besser brick building is identifiable by a Moroccan and Mediterranean-inspired garden at the entrance and a trio of steel arches leading inside.
Q: What kind of pieces will I find on the floor?
A: The store carries vintage and reissue mid-century furniture — including named pieces associated with Pierre Paulin, Charlotte Perriand, Mario Bellini, Michel Ducaroy, Tobia Scarpa, Pierre Jeanneret and Jan Ekselius — alongside handwoven rugs sourced from Morocco and Turkey, Cappelen Dimyr pieces from Scandinavia, and a locally made furniture line created in collaboration with Byron Bay artist Lex Williams.
Q: Is this a good stop for serious collectors, or is it more of a design lifestyle shop?
A: Both, depending on what you're after. The named mid-century designers and rug sourcing give it genuine collector credibility, while the overall floor suits interior designers and decorators hunting statement pieces. Casual visitors with an interest in twentieth-century design will find it worth the detour.
Q: Can I arrange a private consultation before visiting?
A: Private consultations are available by appointment. This suits buyers working on specific briefs or looking for guidance on a particular period or category. Check directly with the store to confirm current availability and booking process.
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