Left to right: Emily Charmberlain, Rebekah Nolan, and Peta O'Neill. Images courtesy of Mae.

When Peta O’Neill, Rebekah Nolan and Emily Chamberlain channelled their love of vintage fabrics and great design, a real cutie-pie was born. Mae began with décor ideas for kids and now lets parents join in the fun too with a new range of pretty wrapping papers and decals for the home. We talk to Rebekah about how it all started – and what kids really like in their bedrooms!

How did the three of you meet?
Emily and I met at design college. Peta was printing canvases for some of the students and I gave her some postcards I’d just had printed to put up in her daughter’s room since she said she was doing it up. It’s been three years and she’s still doing that room up.

Emily Chamberlain at the Mae studio.

What was the inspiration for Mae?
Oh… we just wanted to create something really beautiful and hopefully functional too. We do draw a lot of inspiration from vintage designs and colours.

Where does the name come from?
Mae is a character we created. She is the best parts of all of us and we all aspire to be a little more like Mae. She has a really nice house, too!

New 'Well Fed Kitty' melamine dinnerware set by Mae.

Dinosaur melamine dinnerware by Mae.

What are some of your favourite Mae products right now?
I am really excited about our new products – in particular the melamine dinnerware! I also love our newest decal design, Pantry Labels. Now I have an excuse to collect jars and my husband can’t complain about it because he likes the labels too.

Pantry Labels by Mae.

Best tip for decorating a child’s room on a budget?
I’m a sucker for second hand and DIY stuff regardless of budget. A good IKEA piece never goes astray either, used in the right setting.

What have you learned about what kids really like?
Kids like everything. The aren’t nearly as fussy as their parents when it comes to decorating their bedrooms.