Our story — Meet Joshua
I spent 15 years in Melbourne kitchens, starting out as a dishwasher in Fitzroy and working my way up to head chef in a Richmond bistro. My days revolved around food — sourcing it, preparing it, presenting it. Over time, I built up a network of incredible suppliers, from Victorian dairy farmers to craft knife makers in Ballarat. But when COVID hit, the restaurant closed its doors permanently in early 2020, and like a lot of others in the industry, I found myself rethinking everything.
Before this, I never thought about leaving hospitality. I loved the adrenaline of a busy night and the camaraderie on the line. But after years of 14-hour shifts and a pandemic forcing me to take stock, I knew it was time for a change. I moved back to Perth Hills, where I grew up, and started reconnecting with old friends and local makers. What struck me was how similar the conversations were — whether it was about the right wood for a cutting board or the best way to glaze a planter, they still had that same focus on quality and practicality I knew from the kitchen.
The idea for Ivan Wares came together over a coffee in early 2021 with an old supplier who was experimenting with sustainable bamboo products. I started thinking about the tools and objects I'd relied on every day in the restaurant — the ones that lasted years and just worked. I reached out to a few more contacts, from potters in Fremantle to textile mills in Victoria, and started putting together a small range. My first order was a run of 50 laptop stands, which I sold at the Kalamunda maker Market in May that year.
These days, Ivan Wares is run out of a small workshop in the Perth Hills. I still work closely with the same local suppliers who helped me get started, and every product gets tested in my own home before it goes anywhere near the shop. It’s not about trends or flashy designs — just solid, dependable pieces that make sense to me.
— Thanks for supporting Aussie-made — Joshua, Joshua Gregory Bates
Journal
Why Bamboo Works for Perth Summers
A look at why bamboo is perfect for laptop stands, especially in the heat of a Perth summer.
March in Perth is the kind of weather that makes your laptop sound like it's taking off from a tarmac. Running hot, fans cranked to maximum, it’s not fun. That’s part of why I went with bamboo for the Laptop Stand. It’s lightweight, yes, but it’s also not a heat trap — which is perfect for those of us sweating it out working from home.
When I first spoke to Ethan Kirwan at Sunny Grove Supply (just outside Busselton), he gave me a primer on bamboo’s thermal properties. It doesn’t store heat like some dense woods or plastics. That’s why it’s used in everything from cutting boards to scaffolding in Asia. Ethan grows Bambusa textilis, a hardy type that thrives in WA’s soil and doesn’t need much watering after the first two years.
For me, it’s not just about the raw material but what’s possible with it. Bamboo can handle Perth’s dryness without cracking, and it’s naturally stain-resistant. All the unfinished bamboo you see on those stands comes straight from Ethan’s mill. Nothing fancy — just sanded down to a smooth finish. And yes, Ethan’s crew uses an old drum sander they found second-hand in Margaret River. Says it’s older than his dad, but it’s still kicking.
I designed the Breeze Stand with a bit of height so the air can flow under your laptop. It’s a tiny design tweak, but it’s the difference between ‘Why is my keyboard cooking my fingers?’ and being able to work comfortably for hours. I’ve been using one myself (obviously), and it’s saved me from wedging a coaster under my MacBook to keep it from overheating.
If you’re in Perth or anywhere with heat like ours, bamboo just works. Ethan’s farm is proof of that — it’s one of the most resilient setups I’ve visited, and his bamboo keeps surprising me with what it can do.
From WA Clay to Your Kookaburra Planter
How the Kookaburra Planter started with a potter in Fremantle and a dig site near Geraldton.
The Kookaburra Planter began as a chat over coffee with Lisa Dempsey, a potter I met back when I was running a wine bar in Melbourne. Lisa moved to Fremantle years ago to set up her studio, but we reconnected when I visited her open day last year. She was mid-glaze on a teapot when I floated the idea of a planter shaped like a kookaburra.
The clay Lisa works with comes from a site near Geraldton. She told me the story of its discovery: her supplier, Max, stumbled on the pocket of clay 12 years ago while scouting for agricultural land. The soil there is rich in iron, which gives the finished ceramics a slightly warm tint. Max sells to only a few potters, one of whom swears it’s the best clay she’s ever thrown on a wheel.
Lisa threw several prototypes before landing on the planter’s current shape. It’s wide enough to avoid tipping over but not oversized — kookaburras aren't exactly dainty birds, after all. The distinct beak detail was a happy accident after Lisa dropped one of the test pieces and saw how the smashed rim looked. ‘Not everything broken needs fixing,’ she said, and we went with it.
The first batch of Kookaburra Planters didn’t make it past my sister’s garden. She claimed five for herself before I even had labels printed, and they’re now home to a mix of kangaroo paw and succulents. They’re glazed in a simple matte white to keep the focus on the shape and the plants — Lisa insisted on that, saying, ‘The birds don’t need dressing up.’
Every time I see one of Lisa’s planters in someone’s living room, it reminds me of that Geraldton clay and the ways small local suppliers make a product feel grounded. It’s not just a planter; it’s Lisa, Max, the kiln, and that iron-rich WA dirt.
Winter Nights and the Eucalyptus Blanket
The Eucalyptus Cotton Throw Blanket became my go-to for winter evenings after a long day. Here's why.
This winter, I wore out my own Eucalyptus Cotton Throw Blanket. It’s holding up fine, but I’ve used it so much it now permanently lives on the arm of the couch. Perth Hills gets cold at night, and there’s something about eucalyptus-scented air outside and eucalyptus-patterned fabric inside that feels right.
When we started designing this blanket, I asked Linda from Cottontail Textiles to keep it light but warm — a tricky ask, apparently. Linda’s based up in Toodyay and deals with a mix of cotton and blends. She chose an organic cotton that’s tightly woven but doesn’t feel stiff. The eucalyptus print comes from a block print design she happened to have lying around. It wasn’t even meant for fabric, but we both loved how it looked.
To match the print’s softness, we washed the fabric in small batches with rainwater Linda collects on her property. Honestly, I didn’t believe her when she said the water makes a difference, but after sitting through the process one rainy April, I’m convinced. The blankets come out softer without losing their strength. A few customers have asked if we treat them with something. We don’t.
This week, I wrapped myself in one after a late-night delivery run to the city. I’d been out since 6am, hauling boxes and arguing with a courier over pallet sizes. By the time I hit the couch, all I wanted was something warm and familiar. The blanket’s been that for me since day one. It’s not fancy — it’s just a good, solid piece of home.
If winter in the Hills has taught me anything, it’s that small comforts matter. The eucalyptus design wasn’t meant to be comforting, but it’s grown into the part. Maybe that’s what makes it work — it wasn’t trying too hard.
Keeping Your Koala Knives Sharp at Home
A quick guide to sharpening the Koala Kitchen Knife Set and why sharper is always safer.
I’ve had a thing about sharp knives ever since my restaurant days. A dull knife is a dangerous knife, no matter how careful you think you’re being. The Koala Kitchen Knife Set was built to hold an edge — the high-carbon steel does most of the work — but even the best blades need maintenance.
The best way to keep them sharp is with a whetstone. Not one of those pull-through gadgets from a hardware store. A proper whetstone, ideally 1000 grit on one side and 4000 or 6000 grit on the other. You can find decent ones online for around $50. If that sounds fiddly, remember: dull knives tear, sharp ones glide.
Sharpening is all about the angle. For most kitchen knives, that’s somewhere between 15 and 20 degrees. If you’re not sure what that looks like, imagine the width of a matchbox under the blade. Slow, steady strokes on the stone. You don’t need to press hard — let the stone do the work. I aim for about 10 strokes per side, then switch to the finer grit.
If whetstones feel like too much effort, get them done professionally. In Perth, I’ve used Pete the Knife Guy, who’s been sharpening blades since the 80s. He charges about $5 a knife, and if you’re lucky, he might tell you about the time he sharpened a samurai sword for a reenactor group in Fremantle.
One last tip: never, ever put your knives in the dishwasher. The detergent dulls the edge faster than you think, and the rattling isn’t great for the handles either. Wash them by hand, dry them immediately, and they’ll last for years. A bit of care goes a long way — and it saves you from cursing at a blunt blade while trying to slice tomatoes.
Customer reviews
Sarah W. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-02-12 — 5/5
Perfect for working from home
I ordered the Bamboo Breeze Laptop Stand, and it arrived faster than I expected. It’s sturdy, lightweight, and has made my desk setup so much better!
Michael R. — Bondi, NSW — 2024-03-03 — 4/5
Nice planter for smaller spaces
The Kookaburra Ceramic Planter looks great in my apartment. It’s a bit smaller than I expected, but the quality is excellent.
Emily T. — Brunswick, VIC — 2024-05-17 — 5/5
Cozy and soft throw blanket
I bought the Eucalyptus Cotton Throw Blanket, and it’s perfect for Melbourne winters. Love how lightweight yet warm it is.
James L. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-06-25 — 5/5
Great knife set
The Koala Kitchen Knife Set is a winner! The knives are sharp and have a good grip. Delivery was smooth too.
Anna K. — Hobart, TAS — 2024-07-10 — 4/5
Picnic basket for the win
We’ve used the Outback Adventure Picnic Basket twice now, and it’s really practical. A bit on the pricier side, but worth it for how sturdy it feels.
Dylan M. — Subiaco, WA — 2025-01-15 — 5/5
Stylish and functional stand
The Bamboo Breeze Laptop Stand has been a lifesaver for my posture. It looks great and is very easy to adjust.
Rebecca S. — Northcote, VIC — 2025-02-28 — 4/5
Lovely ceramic piece
The Kookaburra Planter is beautifully made. It’s a little heavy, but I love the design and colour.
Tom G. — Newtown, NSW — 2025-03-23 — 5/5
Exactly what I needed
I purchased the Koala Kitchen Knife Set and couldn’t be happier. Sharp, durable, and well-packaged. No complaints at all.
Shipping
We ship Australia-wide using Australia Post for standard deliveries and StarTrack for express deliveries. Orders placed before 2pm AEST on weekdays will be processed the same day. Free standard shipping is available for orders over $100; for orders below this amount, shipping costs are calculated at checkout.
Standard delivery typically takes 3-7 business days, while express delivery arrives in 1-3 business days. Times may vary depending on your location, especially for remote or regional areas. All orders include tracking, and you’ll be sent an email with your tracking details once dispatched.
We take care to package your items securely, but if your order arrives damaged, please contact us immediately with photos. All prices include GST, and there are no hidden fees at checkout.
Returns
We offer a 30-day return window, in line with Australian Consumer Law. If you’re not happy with your purchase, you can return it for a refund or exchange, provided the item is unused and in its original condition.
Certain items, such as sale products and gift cards, are not eligible for return. Please check individual product pages for any additional item-specific return exclusions. Return shipping costs are the responsibility of the customer unless the item is faulty.
Refunds are processed within 5 business days of receiving the returned item. For faulty or damaged goods, please email us with a description and photos, and we’ll arrange a resolution promptly.