Behind the brand with Directors Rain Shin & Ivan Yoong

For 19 years, Trit House has been shaping Australian interiors with a distinct blend of global influence, craftsmanship, and forward-thinking design. At the heart of it all are co-founders Rain and Ivan, whose complementary expertise drives the brand’s vision. Rain leads the creative direction—shaping branding, partnerships, and showroom experiences—while Ivan is deeply involved in production, material selection, and bringing each design to life.

In this conversation, they reflect on nearly two decades of growth, the evolution of Trit House, and what’s next for the brand.

Q: 19 years of Trit House – how did it all begin?

Ivan: It started with a shared vision to bring globally inspired design to Australian homes. We wanted to curate and create pieces that blended contemporary aesthetics with a sense of warmth and longevity. Overseas my family owns furniture stores and I wanted to bring my love for design and unique pieces to Australia.

Q: How has the Trit House design philosophy evolved over time?

Ivan: From the beginning, we’ve focused on trend-driven pieces from popular brands. But as our team has grown and, we’ve refined our approach, instead we develop a large range of products in-house that reflect our vision and take on current trends, or through creating our own. We put even more emphasis on sustainability, durability, and creating unique pieces that feel relevant for years to come.

Q: What’s the most rewarding part of designing in-house collections?

Rain: Seeing our ideas come to life in homes across Australia. The creative process—sketching, refining, choosing materials—is deeply rewarding, but it’s when we see a piece styled in someone’s home that it really comes full circle.

^{Villa Console & Torsion Dining Table featured in Soda Rose project by Michiru Higginbotham}

Q: Ivan, can you walk us through the product development process?

Ivan: It all starts with an idea, sometimes a sketch, sometimes an inspiration we’ve gathered from travel or architecture. From there, we refine the design, selecting materials that balance beauty and function. Prototyping is a crucial step; we make adjustments to ensure durability, comfort, and quality before it goes into production. Once we’re confident in the piece, we work closely with our manufacturing partners to bring it to life.

^{Bubbles 1 Drawer Bedside Table}

Q: Rain, what inspires Trit House’s creative direction and branding?

Rain: A mix of things – architecture, art, fashion, travel. I’m always drawn to designs that have a sense of quiet luxury, where every detail is considered but nothing feels overworked. Our branding reflects that balance of refinement and warmth. We want the Trit House experience to feel inviting yet elevated.

Q: Sustainability is a growing focus in design. How is Trit House approaching it?

Ivan: It’s something we’re continuously working on. We prioritise materials like solid timber, natural stone, and recycled elements where possible. We also focus on longevity, creating pieces that are made to last, able to move with you, rather than being replaced in a few years. And from a logistics perspective, we’re refining our packaging to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

^{Orsen Dining Table, one of our most popular designs featured in the home of artist Tegan Lloyd}

Q: How do you balance creativity with commercial viability?

Rain: That’s always the challenge. A piece might be stunning in concept, but if it’s not practical, comfortable, or adaptable to different homes, it won’t resonate with our customers. We aim to create designs that feel both distinctive and versatile, ensuring they work in real-life spaces at the most accessible price point possible.

Q: Ivan, what are some of the biggest challenges in furniture production?

Ivan: Maintaining quality and consistency at scale. When you’re working with natural materials, every piece is unique, which is part of the beauty but also a challenge. Then there’s logistics – ensuring smooth production, shipping, and stock availability. It’s a constant balancing act, but it’s what makes the end result so rewarding.

Q: Rain, showroom design plays a key role in the Trit House experience. What’s your approach?

Rain: A showroom should feel like a home, not a warehouse. Every space is carefully styled to give customers a deeper understanding of our brands and a sense of how pieces can work together. I focus on creating a flow, different zones that showcase different moods, textures, and aesthetics. Lighting, layout, and details all play a part in making it an immersive experience.

Q: What’s next for Trit House?

Ivan: We’re always evolving. Expanding our in-house collections is a key focus, bringing in more pieces that feel true to our design philosophy. We’re also looking at ways to enhance the shopping experience—both in-store and online—so that customers feel even more connected to what we do which is supported by advancements in technology and software.

Rain: For me, it’s about refining our vision even further, ensuring everything we do reflects our ethos of inspired living. We want Trit House to continue growing as a destination for design lovers who appreciate both beauty and quality in their spaces. This year we are focusing on growing the number of physical Trit locations as it’s so important people can touch and see the quality in person.