the story
Ahoj, I'm Jana — and I make all the ottomans you see here 🪑✨
I’ve always thought ottomans are such an underrated piece of furniture. They’re cute, practical, and can be anything you need them to be — a side table, footrest for your Netflix marathons 🍿📺, extra seating 👋, or even a bedside table 🌙. And honestly, they’re a perfect replacement for bulky chaise lounges 😅.
I started BOBINEK by rescuing old ottomans I found on the side of the road 🎨. Soon, people asked for different sizes and shapes, so I began designing my own. I realised there weren’t many bright, joyful, and colourful ottomans out there 🌈. Everything was beige or white… and that’s when BOBINEK’s motto was born:
“Ditch the beige, bring in the colour!” 🌟
Each ottoman is made by hand in my home workshop in Dolls Point, Sydney 🛠️. I make both custom-sized ottomans ✨ and standard pieces to order. Every fabric I use is designed by talented Australian or international surface pattern designers and artists 🌏, bringing personality, colour, and life to every piece.
Call me a woo-woo person, but I let the ottoman tell me what it needs ✨. Sometimes it’s the shape of the stool or the woodwork, especially with upcycled pieces, and other times it’s a fabric pattern that sparks the whole design. Every ottoman has its own personality, and I love discovering it as I work.
I also run upholstery workshops 🧵✂️, and you can find my creations at my stall at Mitchell Road Antiques & Design Centre 🏬, alongside fabric bundles and other colourful homewares.
BOBINEK’s mission is simple: to turn the humble footstool into the star of the room 🌟. I want my ottomans to bring a burst of colour, personality, and joy 😄.
The name BOBINEK means “ottoman” in Czech 🇨🇿, where I was born. Growing up surrounded by art, design, and architecture shaped my eye for colour and detail 🎨🏛️. When I moved to Australia in 2002 🇦🇺, I brought all that inspiration with me — and it continues to influence everything I make today.
This is the story of BOBINEK — and a little bit of mine too ❤️.