In Conversation With The Power Couple Behind Australia’s Chicest Furniture Brand
Teamwork makes the dream work
Rooted in heritage, crafted with heart. En Gold, a beloved, Melbourne-born furniture and homewares brand, weaves together Filipino artisan craftsmanship and modern design. Founded by husband-and-wife duo Steffanie and Matt Ball, this conscious brand embodies Steffanie’s cultural legacy. Now based in Cebu, Philipines, the husband-and-wife duo oversees every detail, ensuring authentic, quality pieces that bridge tradition and contemporary style.
We chatted to the power couple to discuss the intersection of their personal and professional relationship.
How has your relationship evolved through the journey of building En Gold together?
Our relationship has deepened in ways we never expected. Starting En Gold was a major test for us, especially since we did it while raising two young children. We faced countless challenges—late nights, tough decisions, and moments of doubt. But working through it all together made our bond stronger. We’ve learned how to support each other’s strengths and navigate the difficult times with patience. In many ways, the journey of building En Gold has brought us closer as partners, both in life and business.
What’s a travel memory that always makes you smile when you think about it?
One memory that always brings a smile is when we travelled to a small village in the Philippines for the first time to meet a group of artisans. Our kids were with us and seeing them interact with the artisans—watching how things were made—was a special moment. It reminded us of why we started this journey: to connect with and celebrate craftsmanship from around the world. It felt like a full-circle moment for our family and our brand.
When you’re not thinking about design, how do you unwind and switch off?
Switching off can be hard, but we try to make time for simple things that help us reset. We love spending time outdoors with our kids, whether that’s going for a walk, swimming, or exploring new places together. As a family, we also enjoy moments where we can disconnect from work entirely—cooking meals together or watching a movie. These small moments bring balance and help us recharge.
What’s something you admire most about each other, both as partners in life and in business?
Steff: What I admire most about Matt is his unwavering dedication. He’s the rock of our family and our business. He stays calm no matter how chaotic things get, and he’s the person we all turn to when we need to figure something out. He’s analytical, a problem solver, and always there with a solution. His ability to stay grounded while still being fully invested in our vision is something I deeply admire, both in life and in business.
Matt: Steff is the heart of everything we do. She’s the creativity, the visionary, the driver behind En Gold. She’s always across every aspect of the business while still being an amazing mother—packing lunches, making time for cuddles, and never missing a beat. She’s the problem solver and the doer, making sure everything gets done, even when the pressure is on. In business, her creativity and relentless drive are what push us forward, and in life, her passion and energy hold us all together. I admire how she balances it all so seamlessly, with love and focus.
Was there a defining moment when you knew you wanted to start this journey together?
There wasn’t really one defining moment, but rather a series of opportunities that presented themselves along the way. We’re both the kind of people who act intuitively, so when those opportunities came up, we just dove straight in. Whether it was discovering a new artisan or feeling inspired by a piece of craftsmanship, we knew we had to follow those instincts. It wasn’t planned in a traditional sense, but more of an organic journey where we trusted our gut and let our passion guide us.
What’s the best advice you’ve received that’s helped shape En Gold’s success?
The best advice we received was to stay authentic and true to our vision. When you’re growing a business, it’s easy to be swayed by trends or what others are doing. But staying grounded in our core values—creating meaningful, handcrafted pieces and celebrating artistry—has always been our compass. That advice has helped us stay focused, even when the road got challenging, and ultimately shaped the success of En Gold.
To explore Steff and Matt’s work, visit their website.
