Sisters with ‘weird obsession’ with old cupboards launch unique business that sells out

Despite living on opposite sides of the world – with Becca Stern, 35, in Newcastle, NSW, and Jess Stern, 32, in London – the siblings worked passionately together to bring their unusual idea for colored metal cabinets to life.

“We’ve always dreamed of starting a business together because despite the physical distance between us, we’re so close,” Becca tells 7Life.

For more news and videos related to sponsored content, see sponsored content >>

“Mustard Made was dreamed up when I was on maternity leave and when Jess came out to visit me and my baby.

“Basically, we made a plan to start a business together so we could always see each other.

The name Mustard Made came about because Becca and Jess knew that color would be one of the key features of the brand.

The sisters realized that while not everyone likes closets, those who do have a passion for them—much like mustard.

“Cabinets are an acquired taste,” says Becca.

“Our dad thought no one would buy them, it didn’t make sense. And now he has several in his home.

Becca adds, “I’ve always had a weird fascination with old, rusted, vintage cabinets and old furniture. I live in a really old house with no built-in storage.”

After coming up with the idea for mustard, the couple got to work.

Most of Becca’s maternity leave was spent on the couch, nursing her son with one hand and researching cabinet makers with the other.

She and Jess spoke on the phone while her sister had a long commute to work in the UK, where she worked as a fashion buyer for the giant chain Primark.

“I had experience running a small business and Jess had experience with buyers. So together we pretty much had the skills to raise the mustard,” Becca recalls.

They launched in 2018 with a wholesale approach, partnering with several leading homeware stores and a trade show that quickly sold out.

Since launching in 2018, Mustard Made has only seen more success.

The sister range comes in five styles – Shorty, Skinny, Lowdown, Midi and Twinny – all in 11 vibrant colours, from neutral slate to trendy shades of blush, berry, olive and of course mustard.

“Sage is the hottest color right now,” says Becca.

“But it used to be pink.”

She adds that people “are usually drawn” to more neutral colors, but she strongly recommends that anyone looking to add a pop of color through their cabinets should do so with shades of berry, poppy, mustard or lilac.

“None of our colors are seasonal,” says Becca.

“We’ve been slowly adding them all over the years.” Cabinets are for self-expression because your home is the center of your self-expression.

The sisters have also added both of their husbands to the Mpristy Made team, with plans to expand further in the coming months.

Reviews of the cabinets online are glowing, with customers describing them as “amazing”, “so beautiful” and “perfect for my daughter’s room”.

“Absolutely love my mustard shortbread!” It’s an absolutely perfect way to organize my home office, and it looks amazing! writes one reviewer.

“This item is a statement piece in my home studio. It’s very classy,” adds another.

A third says: “Such a well-constructed and aesthetically beautiful piece of furniture!” Easy to put together.”

Different types of cabinets are often used in different places.

For example, the Shorty makes a great bedside table or office cabinet, while the wider Lowdown style makes an ideal TV, console or storage unit.

Finally, the Twinny is a wardrobe perfect for children’s rooms, or you can stack several Skinny wardrobes in different colors to create a fun combination.

Becca says she has absolutely no regrets about starting a business with her sister and centering it around closets.

“There’s something timeless and eternal about them,” she says.

“And if anything, it only brought me closer to Jess. There have been many late nights and many early mornings, but this is truly a dream come true.

For more information on mustard, click here.