The story behind Empress Homewares
About Empress Homewares
Empress began with a simple idea, that a homewares store could feel like a discovery rather than a showroom. I’m Vlad Borovac, and for nineteen years I’ve filled Empress with pieces you won’t find everywhere, chosen with the same eye I brought to a life in design.
For over 17 years, Empress has curated pieces with a story to tell. Founded and led by Vlado Borovac, our collection celebrates craftsmanship, culture, and timeless design. We work directly with skilled artisans, master carvers, and makers who share our passion for authenticity and sustainable craft.
Vlado frequently travels to India to personally source one-of-a-kind creations—hand-carved furniture, vintage antiques, evocative mirrors and sculptures—and to collaborate on new designs that honour traditional techniques.
Over the years he has nurtured deep relationships with artisans and makers, in many of India’s culturally and artistically diverse regions , and feels uniquely blessed to often be invited to stay with them and their families on his visits.
From fashion to furniture
My background was in fashion design, mostly menswear, alongside sculpture and other creative work. I’ve always been drawn to beautiful materials, craftsmanship and things with a strong visual identity, and Empress became a natural extension of that. Furniture and homewares are simply another medium for the way I see design. I wanted to build something different from the usual offering, a place where people could find unusual, beautiful and individual pieces.
A love of the handmade
I’ve always loved the history behind decorative furniture, and the ancient craft of inlay in particular. Bone inlay goes back centuries, and the patience and skill it takes still fascinates me. There’s something special about furniture where the decoration is part of the construction, worked entirely by hand, so the patterns and finishes make each piece feel closer to a work of art than a piece of furniture. The hand-carved pieces draw me in for the same reason, that human touch you never get from something mass-produced. For me it brings together fashion, sculpture, architecture, interiors and art in one place.
The makers behind the pieces
It started through my friend who was a leading travel designer with a connection in India. That took me there to meet makers, and what began as a few sourcing trips grew into relationships I’ve kept for many years. It has never been only about finding a product and buying it, it’s about trust and understanding with the people creating the pieces. Some of my most treasured time has been with the family of my lead maker, staying at their farmhouse surrounded by art, sculpture and beautiful gardens. Stepping away from the business to share their food, hospitality and conversation is part of the whole experience, and often where I reflect on what I want to bring home to Empress.
“I have to love a piece myself before I’d expect a customer to love it.”
What earns a place, and how it should feel
Before anything comes into the store, it has to have something special, unique, beautifully finished, with a timeless quality. I’m not interested in what you see everywhere, so in many cases the pieces are one of a kind. I believe good design has longevity, that the right piece can have a life far beyond a single room or home. When you visit our Norwood showroom, I want you to feel relaxed, inspired and curious, to take your time, notice the craftsmanship, and discover something you weren’t expecting. Most of all, I want it to feel warm, welcoming and personal.
What we make & curate
We design and source pieces that bring character and longevity into the home:
- Bone/wood inlay furniture designed by Empress and handcrafted in India.
- Reclaimed timber pieces with rich, lived-in texture.
- Industrial & eclectic designs that layer metal, timber and stone.
- Bespoke rattan furniture handcrafted in Indonesia (made to order).
- A considered selection of décor and homewares from Australian designers and trusted wholesalers—available in-store and online.
Sustainability: reclaimed & repurposed materials
Our approach favours materials and methods that reduce waste and keep beautiful resources in circulation.
- Reclaimed timber: extends the life of existing wood, reduces demand for newly harvested timber, and preserves the grain and patina that only time can create.
- Repurposed/vintage finds: rescue quality pieces from landfill and cut the embodied carbon of manufacturing new items.
- Repairable, long-life design: solid joinery, replaceable components and timeless finishes help our furniture live well beyond trends.
- Lower-impact finishes: we prioritise durable, maintainable finishes; where possible we specify low-VOC products.
- Responsible sourcing: rattan is plantation-grown, and we work with workshops that favour responsibly sourced materials.
Note: sustainability claims reflect our current sourcing practices and partners; we continually review and improve our standards.
Artisan partnerships & sourcing
We value transparent, long-term relationships. Our makers are specialists—bone inlay artisans, woodworkers, metalworkers and rattan weavers—whose skills support families and preserve local traditions. By collaborating directly, we can refine details, ensure fair payment, and keep craft at the centre of what we do.
Bespoke products & made to order
Looking for something specific? Many of our designs can be tailored—size, finish or pattern—through our workshops in India and Indonesia. Bespoke rattan and custom inlay are available to order; lead times vary by piece. Talk to us about creating a one-off for your space.
Our promise
We curate more than furniture—we bring together heritage, craft and contemporary design to create unique pieces for the modern home. Every item is chosen or crafted for enduring beauty, authenticity and a true point of difference. If something isn’t right, we’ll make it right.
Need help pulling a room together? We can suggest pairings and finishing touches from our décor and lighting ranges.
Where you can find us
Explore our collection in-store and online.
Visit us in Norwood, Adelaide—on beautiful Osmond Terrace. Our showroom offers personalised styling for interiors and exteriors. We believe in relaxed, stylish living with pieces that are beautiful to live with, drawing on an oriental-influenced design sensibility. We support designers from across the globe—discover occasional pieces, chairs, tables, lamps, candles, mirrors, jewellery and accessories to elevate your home.
Our normal Opening Hours are below :
Mon – Fri: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Sat: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm
Sun: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Showroom
7 Osmond Terrace, Norwood SA 5067, Australia
Contact
(08) 8363 7109
orders@empresshomewares.com.au