It was mid-summer in Bowral, one of those 35 degrees Celsius days when I first stumbled into Wilson & Dorset on the high street.

Hosting a rare (and much sought-after) Summer Sale, I was quickly taken in by the New Zealand brand’s incredibly soft and comfortable sheepskin products, specifically the ‘Shaggy Bean Bag’ which I later found out has been dubbed “life-changing” it really is that comfortable.

Fast forward six months and I now have no less than four Wilson & Dorset products adorning (and being used on a daily basis) in my home.

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Most recently, I added the Single Sheepskin ($179) to cart, which I’ve thrown over the ottoman in my living room — on the opposite side of the room to the Bean Bag ($1,890) and Footstool ($589).

I also have a couple of Cushion Covers ($129), so it’s safe to say I am obsessed with this brand.

Wilson & Dorset is a brand that is known for its fantastic sheepskin. Credit: Instagram

Crafted from eight sheepskins seamlessly sewn together, with a 100 per cent cow hide non-slip base, the bean bag crucially stays firmly in position. Credit: Instagram

The elephant in the room and the thing to get out of the way when first talking about Wilson & Dorset is the price.

Yes, it is a very expensive bean bag.

But, I would argue that it (and anything else you buy by the Kiwi brand) is worth its weight in gold — it really is that comfortable and attractive to look at.

In my household, my husband, two kids and I fight over who gets to sit on the bean bag on Friday nights and lazy Sunday afternoons.

There is nothing more comfortable than sinking into it with a book and a good blanket, when you want to do some high-quality lounging.

It is filled with 320 litres of microbeans which provide enough support for people of all shapes and sizes to comfortably sit down on. Credit: Instagram

The quality of this product comes in the materials it is made from.

Crafted from eight sheepskins seamlessly sewn together, with a 100 per cent cow hide non-slip base, the bean bag crucially stays firmly in position as you sit down, even on wooden floors.

Even better than that, as soon as you sit down, you feel that incredible comfort.

Filled with 320 litres of microbeans which provide enough support for people of all shapes and sizes to comfortably sit, it has just the right amount of beans that there is the flexibility to mould to your desired body position.

With an approximate weight of 16kgs, the Shaggy Bean Bags can also be easily moved around the home, meaning you can move it to the playroom or media room if you’re having a media night.

When paired with the accompanying Footstool, things are really taken to the next level.

I also love the laidback look of the blanket thrown over my ottoman at home, and have friends and family consistently compliment the look of the finish.

Wilson & Dorset has earned an international following for reimagining sheepskin as a contemporary design material.  Credit: Wilson & Dorset

Founded in Wānaka, New Zealand by Ben Wilson and Amanda Dorset, Wilson & Dorset has earned an international following for reimagining sheepskin as a contemporary design material.

Crafted from premium New Zealand sheepskin, each piece celebrates the fibre’s natural warmth, breathability and durability, offering an enduring alternative to synthetic furnishings.

Put simply: every Wilson & Dorset piece you buy feels like it’s truly built to last.

At present, there is just one bricks-and-mortar Wilson & Dorset boutique in Bowral, as well as flagship stores through New Zealand and a pop-up in Melbourne.

But the sky really is the limit for this homegrown brand that is massively on the rise.

For more information and to browse Wilson & Dorset’s product range, head here now.

Why sheepskin?

• Sheepskins are naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. That’s because the fibres contain lanolin, a naturally occurring wax that is both antibacterial and antifungal. It keeps itself clean and is safe to live on, its truly a magical fibre.
• Sheepskin is thermo-regulating in that it keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter.
• A tanned sheepskin is resistant to short-term exposure to fire with temperatures up to 200°C. This means if you take a lighter, turn it on and hold it against a sheepskin, the sheepskin will start to shrink and curl but won’t catch fire or continue to burn. This makes it safe around fireplaces and outdoor fires as well as a much better alternative to synthetics, which melt under high heat and give off toxic fumes.
• Eat, drink and be merry on your sheepskin product. Naturally occurring lanolin on the fibre creates a protective barrier, preventing water from penetrating deep into the fibres. It resists soiling and releases dirt easily, making it naturally dirt-repellent. If you do spill something on your sheepskin product, it usually only requires a gentle blot.
• Wool is stronger than steel, gram for gram. It’s the only unprocessed fibre that you can bend more than 20,000 times and still have it maintain its shape without ripping or breaking, which means you don’t need to be precious with your sheepskin product. Nature has designed sheepskin to be incredibly hard wearing so, when treated with basic care, our products will endure a lifetime of partying and family wear and tear.

Source: Wilson & Dorset