For Melbourne-based designer Kai Tolhurst, home is where form meets feeling. It’s a place where the details matter — a place of warmth, personal style, and connection. It’s a philosophy that runs through everything Kai creates, from a well-placed timber accent to the way natural light moves across a quiet living room.

So when it came time to choose a sofa bed — something that would become both a visual anchor and a daily touchpoint — the decision wasn’t taken lightly. That’s where the Slideaway Sofa Bed came in.

Designed with intention and made to move with the rhythm of real life, the Slideaway is more than just a clever piece of furniture. We caught up with Kai to hear how it’s helped shape not just the thoughtfully curated layout of their home — but the way their family lives.

A Designer’s Perspective: Q&A with Kai Tolhurst

What’s one way the Slideaway Sofa Bed has transformed your room or routine?

It’s really become the centrepiece of our home. Having a comfortable space the whole family can gather has completely changed how we use the room. Most days we have it slid out and use it as a daybed; it’s perfect for playtime with our daughter or just lounging together. Visually, it doesn’t feel like a big shift whether it’s in or out, which makes that flexibility even more valuable.

How do the natural colours of the Slideaway make your home feel different?

Our home has a lot of timber and off-whites, so the tones of the wood and covers blend in beautifully. It sits so well in the space and feels like a natural extension of the space. Having spaces that feel cohesive is something we always aim for when designing a room.

Why is investing in sustainable furniture like the Slideaway important to you?

As much as possible, and especially for our bigger pieces, we like to take time to decide on things to invest in that we’ll be able to love and utilise for years and years. We think back to the pieces our grandparents would have, being fixtures in our childhood, likely being in use for decades before we even came along. To a large extent we aren't seeing that anymore and It's definitely something we want to be taking forward, though.

What is the one key feature of Eva’s furniture that you think is top of the list?

It’s so hard to choose just one, but for us, the versatility of the Slideaway is a standout. We’ve found ourselves using it mostly as a daybed; it’s so easy to go from a classic sofa to a space you can stretch out on in under a minute. Oh, and with a toddler, the option to remove and wash the covers super easily is pivotal!

Comfort that moves with you

What makes the Slideaway so special — and why it resonates so deeply with people like Kai — isn’t just its clever engineering or modular form. It’s the fact that it’s designed with life in mind.

We all want our homes to reflect who we are and how we live. But we also want our furniture to work hard — to shift and stretch and grow alongside us. For Kai, the Slideaway answered a lot of questions at once: How do you create a space that invites togetherness without clutter? How do you balance minimal aesthetics with maximum practicality? How do you design for a young family without compromising on taste?

The answer, it turns out, is in a sofa bed that doesn’t feel like a compromise at all.

A palette that grounds, not overpowers

With its solid timber base and neutral upholstery, the Slideaway quietly complements a wide range of interiors — from crisp modern spaces to warm, lived-in homes.

It’s this effortless cohesion — what designers might call visual harmony — that makes the Slideaway so appealing. It supports the style of the room without demanding attention, making it ideal for those who appreciate quiet confidence in their design choices.

Sustainability first, through and through

Our approach to sustainable design goes beyond buzzwords. It’s about true longevity — founded on the belief that the best thing we can do for the planet is to buy less, but better.

The Slideaway is designed with that mindset: made from FSC-certified timber, finished with low-VOC materials, and built for a lifetime of reconfiguration. It’s not furniture for a season — it’s furniture for life.

What could the Slideaway do for you?

For Kai, the Slideaway Sofa Bed isn’t just a design choice, it’s a lifestyle. 

Whether you're furnishing your first apartment, designing a growing family home, or refreshing a guest room that’s never quite worked, the Slideaway Sofa Bed offers a rare mix of form, function and feeling. Thoughtfully designed. Built to last. Made to move with you.

Explore the Slideaway Sofa Bed and see how it can help transform your space.