Over the past 25 years, Living Edge has grown and nurtured a culture defined by design excellence, shaping the Australian design landscape. Guided by an unwavering commitment to authenticity and innovation, the company has consistently set the benchmark, achieving significant milestones well ahead of the curve. 

Many of these achievements have been overseen and driven by Aidan Mawhinney, CEO of Living Edge, whose 20-year career with the company began in commercial sales management in 2005. To this day, Mawhinney continues to champion bold initiatives that keep Living Edge at the forefront of the industry, ensuring its legacy as a trusted collaborator and standard setter in design.

Founded in 1998 and later renamed Living Edge in 2000, Living Edge began with a focus on commercial furniture, quickly building a reputation for curating products defined by quality, provenance and timeless appeal. Fast-forward to today and the company is synonymous with both the icons of design history and the future-facing brands driving new standards for sustainability and wellness in the built environment.

“We’ve always believed in furniture that stands the test of time,” says CEO Aidan Mawhinney. “Our portfolio is about legacy pieces that remain relevant for decades – products with inherent integrity.”

From early partnerships with Herman Miller, HOWE and Walter Knoll – relationships that remain central to the business today – to more recent collaborations, Living Edge has assembled a portfolio of globally recognised furniture and lighting brands that bridge design heritage with a future-facing ethos.

Never settling for the status quo, Living Edge unveiled its flagship showroom in Alexandria NSW in 2015, having relocated from Surry Hills. The converted 1940s wool store signalled a new era for the business. “The Alexandria showroom really set a benchmark for us. It elevated how we presented our brands and it became the blueprint for refreshing all our showrooms nationally,” Mawhinney reflects. Which Living Edge did, upscaling and relocating each of its other showrooms located in Brisbane, Melbourne and Perth. From there, the company expanded its residential and retail offering, a full e-commerce presence and the more recent launch of a dedicated mono-brand store in Woollahra NSW. This latest space reinforces its position at the intersection of the contract and consumer markets.

Throughout this ongoing evolution, one constant has underpinned Living Edge’s success: relationships. “Like everything, it comes down to people, product and place,” Mawhinney says, noting the importance of the long-term brand partnerships, but also the long-serving team members, many who’ve been on the team for over a decade.

Equally integral is Living Edge’s longstanding commitment to sustainability. In 2008, it introduced its first environmental program, ‘LivingOn’, ahead of widespread industry awareness. “We never wanted to be the company that imported product destined for landfill,” says Mawhinney. “From FSC-certified timber to third-party carbon measurement, we’ve always aimed to lead rather than follow.” This ethos culminated in B Corporation certification in 2023, formalising a standard the business had already been living for years. Alongside environmental initiatives, its Perth showroom achieved Platinum WELL Certification, embedding health and wellbeing within its DNA.

Despite the increasing role of technology in the sector, Mawhinney is clear about what truly matters. “When I started, the industry was incredibly relationship-driven. Technology has changed that dynamic, but what sets us apart is our ability to balance both. We embrace technology where it adds value, but our success is rooted in personal connection and meaningful collaboration.”

As Living Edge celebrates its 25th year, it continues to keep an eye firmly on the future. A new 3500-square-metre warehouse enhances operational efficiency, while its growing residential footprint reflects shifting consumer behaviours. However, the core mission remains unchanged: to bring world-class, authentic design to Australia and to do it as responsibly as possible.

“In an industry that often leans towards fast and disposable, we’ve always stayed true to what matters: authentic design, lasting value and care – for our people, our clients, our brands and the environment. That’s what’s carried us through 25 years, and it’s what will carry us forward,” Mawhinney summarises.

In an industry shaped by change, Living Edge has found the equilibrium between heritage and progressive thinking. A rare balance that continues to cement its reputation as a leader of Australian design culture.

Living Edge
livingedge.com.au