Miko Designs

Designer furniture, lighting and rugs in Fyshwick

Miko Designs started, as many good things do, over a glass of wine. Stuart Finlayson and Stephanie McKenzie were on a furniture shopping trip in Melbourne in the mid-2010s and found themselves frustrated by what wasn’t available in Canberra. The Australian design scene was genuinely flourishing, and the capital deserved a share of it. They launched online in 2017 and, in 2018, converted an industrial Fyshwick corner building into the showroom it is today. The name, for those curious, is drawn from one of their favourite artists growing up: Joan Miró.

The store carries furniture, lighting and rugs from a carefully chosen mix of Australian and international designers. On the local side, that includes Studio Pip, Curious Tales, Lowe Furniture, Anchor and Furnished Forever. Internationally, names like Muuto, Mattiazzi, Marset, Nuura, Kvadrat and Cane-line sit alongside them. The selection isn’t large for its own sake: Stuart has been clear that the philosophy is to bring a curated collection of makers they genuinely believe in rather than accumulate brands. Each piece typically comes with a design story behind it.

What’s in the showroom

The Fyshwick space covers sofas and modular lounges, dining tables and chairs, armchairs, bedroom furniture, side and coffee tables, storage, and a substantial lighting range spanning pendants, wall lights, floor and table lamps, and wet area fixtures. Rugs and outdoor furniture round out what’s on offer.

Customisation is a genuine part of what Miko offers. Rugs can be sized to fit a specific room, tables can be specified to length, and some lighting can be hand-dyed to match a client’s palette. The team includes qualified interior designers, and complimentary interior design consultations are available for anyone wanting help putting pieces together for a home or commercial project.

Reviews consistently mention staff who know their product well and are genuinely interested in helping rather than just selling. For Canberrans who want furniture built to last rather than mass-produced pieces with a short shelf life, Miko sits on its own in the local market.

Open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 5:00pm, Saturday 10:00am to 4:00pm, Sunday by appointment.