The writing was on the wall – as, no doubt, was some great art! Every single home that Cristian and Dorina Cocolea sold, the buyers begged them to leave the furniture. Clearly the couple have an eye for design. Plus Cristian had also started creating custom artworks and sculptures that were stirring up some serious buzz.
So, in 2016, they answered the call of the wild design world and opened their eponymous high-end furniture business, Cocolea. In a relatively short time, they’ve become one of Australia’s leading luxury furniture businesses, with a stunning new showroom in Port Melbourne.
We’re delighted to welcome Cocolea as a sponsor of The Avenue of Design, a new feature at Decor + Design in 2022. Curated by Tigger Hall and Lucinda Kimpton, it will celebrate Australian creativity with an avenue of vignettes from well-known interior designers including Melissa Balzan Design, missmith interiors, Tigger Hall Design, Kimpton Interiors, Justin Bishop, JAM Interiors, Camilla Molders Design, Collette Dinnigan, Julian Ronchi and Maine House Interiors.
Cocolea’s Bespoke, Luxurious Pieces
Cocolea’s beautiful new Appointment Only showroom at 400 Plummer St, Port Melbourne is overflowing with standout pieces. The brand has custom pieces made to their own design and also import from major high-end European brands like Boca de Lupa and Covet House, for whom they are the exclusive Australian distributor.
Cocolea’s Port Melbourne Showroom
Dorina says that most of their clients have high-end residential homes on the Eastern Corridor, with a big fanbase on the Gold Coast, in Sydney and in Melbourne. They also do commercial fit outs, such as the impressive Harley Davidson concept store.
Harly Davidson Concept Store by Cocolea
Cocolea also recently fitted out a gorgeous supper club-style bar in Beaumaris, which was featured on Channel 9’s Postcards program. With dramatic jet-black and burnished gold decor, it oozes the romanticism of Paris and New York in the twenties.
Le Bar Supper Club in Beaumaris, Melbourne.
Unique Custom Artworks
Cocolea is also strong in the artwork department, with their own sub-brand ‘Cool as Foc’ art, as well as sculptures and canvases from around the globe.
Popeye by Cool as For
The couple source products globally, seeking the highest quality. Most of their fabrics are made in Italy, with brass work done in Indonesia. One of our favourite pieces is their Billionaire Dining Table, which is inlaid with floating 24K gold leaf.
“We’re supporting the Avenue of Design because it’s a great alliance with our Cocolea, and we also love collaborating with the design community at large. As we all know, the pandemic was hard – it’s so exciting that we can all get together again at an event like Decor + Design!”
Discover the world of Cocolea today! Designers can also apply for a trade account here.
Plus don’t miss seeing The Avenue of Design at Decor + Design, 14 – 17 July in Melbourne, as well as 250+ exhibitors across furniture, soft furnishings, lighting, art and textiles. Speakers include David Hicks, Collette Dinnigan, Adelaide Bragg, Shaynna Blaze, Jamie Durie and more!
Register now for Decor + Design and plan your trip to Australia’s No.1 Interiors Trade Event. Entry to the exhibition is free, Decor + Design Seminar Series tickets range from $55 – 75.