For 20 years, Bianca Lorenne has been weaving timeless luxury, comfort, and creativity into every thread. It’s a brand with polish and sophistication yet also a warmth that makes you feel instantly at home.

At the heart of this family business is founder Alison Nottingham and her daughter, Bianca. Their vision and values runs through every detail from the hand-painted prints on a pillowcase to the way a store display makes you want to curl up and stay awhile.

Walk through their doors and you’re met with colour, texture, and the kind of thoughtful touches that create richer, warmer worlds. There’s always a bed in the centre, a part nest to cocoon into, part showpiece worthy of a glossy magazine spread.

“Bianca Lorenne was literally born out of my desire for a richer, more creative, more rewarding life.”

In 2005, Alison was working as a full-time accountant, studying for a business degree by correspondence. One evening, tired from work and facing a dry business essay, she closed her books and decided there had to be more to life. That decision set her on the path to building Bianca Lorenne though the journey began with a curveball. The plan to buy an existing textile business in Auckland fell through, and the family spent six months living in a tent.

The business named after Alison’s two greatest loves: her daughters. And while it often makes people assume they’re an Italian brand, they’re proudly based in a province better known for dairy farms and oil drilling than fine linens.

Since the company bears her name, it’s fitting that Bianca is now steering the ship. She started as a teenager cleaning the store after school, and over the next 13 years worked her way through almost every role (except accounts). Today, she leads a team of nine, guiding the business into its next chapter.

Both Alison and Bianca love watching customers bring friends into the store, showing them “their” local treasure.

Inside, Bianca’s magpie eye curates linens alongside hand-picked homewares, pieces chosen for their feel and craftsmanship, rather than flash.

They encourage customers to think about their homes the way they think about their wardrobes: building slowly, mixing statement pieces with essentials, and investing in quality that lasts.

Each collection takes close to a year to create. It begins with hand-painted prints and evolving into bedding, furniture, glassware, handwoven baskets and other glorious homewares, all designed to mix and match over time. Behind each product is a network of artisans, some of whom have been part of the journey since day one. Preserving these skills is part of the brand’s ethos.

The result? Collections that feel timeless, intentional, and deeply personal. Pieces that carry not just beauty, but meaning.

In a fast-paced world, Bianca Lorenne offers something rare: stillness. “Home is our sanctuary,” Bianca says. “It’s where we recharge, reconnect, and find comfort. If we can create something that quietly transforms that space for someone — that’s special.”

Its this emotional connection that has helped the business endure. From the flagship New Plymouth store to stockists across New Zealand and Australia. Whether you’re an avid collector or just beginning to shape your space, stepping into the Bianca Lorenne store feels like an open invitation. Yes, it’s beautiful. Yes, it’s world-class. But it’s also welcoming the kind of place you can linger, run your hands over fabrics, and imagine the comfort they’ll bring to your home.

Thanks to Kerryn, Amy and Emily for this wonderful article. We love your work xx