Our story — Meet Kathy
My dad, Graham Evans, started out in a shed behind our house in Manjimup back in 1978. He’d picked up woodwork skills growing up on his parents’ farm and decided to turn his hand to making furniture on the side. By the late 80s, word had spread, and he was supplying custom timber pieces to families across the Southwest. Our house always smelled of jarrah and karri, and I spent many weekends sanding down offcuts or stacking planks for extra pocket money.
Before taking over the workshop, I worked in Perth for a few years as a physio. I noticed so many people struggling with sleep issues, neck pain, or just everyday stress, and it got me thinking about how much better we all feel with proper rest and support. When Dad decided to retire in 2015, it felt like the right time to come home and see how I could merge what I’d learned in the city with the craft and care he’d built his workshop around.
Vital Recovery officially started that year. One of the first things I did was to shift our focus to products designed to make rest and recovery easier. I worked with a local foam supplier in Welshpool to design our first memory foam pillow, and I tested the prototypes myself for weeks before we landed on the right density. Every product we’ve added since then has been about solving a specific problem I’d noticed, whether it’s tension headaches, poor posture, or trouble winding down after a long day.
These days, we’re still based in the Perth Hills, not far from where I grew up. The workshop’s now set up for small-batch production, and most Saturdays, you’ll find me at the Kalamunda Markets sharing our products with locals. It’s been eight years now, and I still test every new design myself before it leaves the workshop.
— Here’s to better rest and recovery — Kathy, Kathy Evans
Journal
The Lavender Fields of York: Our Oil’s Journey
I made the early drive out to York last week to visit our lavender supplier — here’s what I found.
I drove out to York last Tuesday to check in with Tom, who grows the lavender we use in our CalmSpace Essential Oil Diffuser blends. It’s about a three-hour trip from here, so I left the house by 5 am with a thermos of tea. His family farm has been growing lavender for just over 35 years. They first planted English lavender (Lavandula angustifolia), but they switched to Lavandin a decade ago for its stronger oil yield. The smell of his barn drying room is one of those things that sticks with you — it’s like a warm, herbal cloud.
The process of turning lavender into oil is surprisingly unromantic. Tom showed me their copper stills, which look like something you’d find in a distillery. It takes about 120kg of lavender to get one litre of oil. That’s roughly 15 of those big wool sacks full of dried lavender heads. The yield depends on the season, of course. This summer was dry even for WA, so the oil has a sharper scent this year compared to wetter seasons. Tom says it’ll mellow slightly over time, but I like the edge.
What I love about using Tom’s oil is that I can trace it back to the rows of bushes I saw this week. It’s not something I take for granted. When I was little, my mum used to drive me out to visit suppliers, and I remember her saying, ‘Always know where it comes from.’ She wasn’t just talking about products — it was more of a life thing. Anyway, we’ll be bottling this batch next month, and it’ll go straight into the CalmSpace diffusers. I’ve already set aside a bottle for my bedside table.
Tom mentioned they’re thinking about experimenting with a Tasmanian blue gum lavender cross next season. It’s apparently meant to thrive in drier climates and yield a slightly citrusy oil. I’ll admit, I’m curious, but I like sticking to what works. The Lavandin has been his bread-and-butter for so long, and there’s something reassuring about that continuity. Then again, running a small business does make you think about the fine line between tradition and adaptation.
By the time I left, it was well past lunch. Tom’s wife handed me a jar of their honey on the way out — their bees love the lavender, naturally. It’s almost floral in taste, much lighter than the jar we’ve got at home from Manjimup. I’ll admit, I felt a bit spoiled driving back through the hills with a car full of lavender-scented air and a honey jar in the passenger seat. It’s days like this that remind me why I love doing what I do.
How to Use Your Diffuser for an Evening Reset
Some practical advice for making the most of your CalmSpace Essential Oil Diffuser during the wind-down hours.
I’ll admit, I was late to the diffuser game. Growing up, we had incense or the occasional candle — my mum never trusted anything that plugged in. But once I started testing our CalmSpace diffuser, I began to get the appeal. It’s not about ‘transforming your space’ (ugh, hate that phrase); it’s about giving yourself little moments of calm. Here’s how I use mine during the evening.
First things first: don’t overfill the water reservoir. Ours is 200ml, and I stick to that. Any more, and you’ll risk splashing when you turn it on. I usually add four drops of Tom’s lavender oil, which is exactly the right amount for me. If you’re using something stronger, like peppermint or eucalyptus, try two or three drops instead. The goal is subtlety — not to fumigate your house.
I’ve found that timing is everything. I switch mine on about 20 minutes before I start my wind-down routine. That way, the scent has time to gently fill the room before I’m ready to settle down. The diffuser has a four-hour timer, which is handy because I’m usually asleep before it finishes. If I’m feeling fancy, I’ll pair the lavender with a single drop of patchouli. It’s not for everyone, but I like the earthy kick.
One thing I’ve learned is that placement matters. Avoid putting it too close to your bed; the mist works better when it’s got space to spread. I keep mine on the chest of drawers in the corner of our bedroom. It’s also worth cleaning the unit once a week. Just rinse the water tank with warm, soapy water and let it air dry before refilling. Neglect this and your diffuser will let you know — usually with a weird gurgling sound.
I’ll leave you with this: using a diffuser isn’t about being fancy. It’s about finding small ways to care for yourself. Whether it’s lavender, sandalwood, or even plain water with a few lemon slices (yes, I’ve tried that too), the point is to enjoy it. For me, it’s that quiet moment of noticing the scent change slowly as I drift off to sleep. Nothing complicated, just simple pleasures.
Behind the Scenes of Our DreamCloud Pillows
People often ask where we make our DreamCloud Memory Foam Pillows — here’s a look at the process.
You’d be surprised how much goes into making a good pillow. I learned this the hard way when we decided to create the DreamCloud Memory Foam Pillow. My parents ran this business with a pretty straightforward philosophy: don’t overcomplicate things. But memory foam? That’s a whole other beast.
We work with a small factory in O’Connor, just outside Fremantle. They do all the cutting and shaping for the foam. It starts as a massive block — think of those giant cheese wheels but about ten times the size. The foam gets cut down with these hot-wire machines that look like something out of a sci-fi movie. The precision is incredible; they can get it within half a millimetre of the specs we send them.
Once the foam is cut, it’s left to air for 48 hours. This ‘curing’ process lets the material stabilise, so you don’t end up with a pillow that changes shape after a few uses. After curing, we test a small batch of them for firmness. If one fails the test, we adjust the formula for the next batch. There’s something satisfying about pressing on a pillow and feeling that perfect balance of softness and support.
The covers are sewn up in a workshop in Midland, WA. My mum helped me choose the fabric — she insisted on a bamboo blend, and she was right. It’s breathable, easy to wash, and soft against your skin. The covers have little zippers so you can remove them for cleaning. I know that sounds like a small detail, but it took us three prototypes to get the zipper placement just right.
When everything comes together, it’s hard not to feel proud. I remember the first night I slept on a DreamCloud. It wasn’t perfect (we adjusted the foam density afterward), but it gave me this odd sense of relief. Like we’d done something worthwhile. Next time you fluff your pillow, just know that a fair bit of thought — and hot-wire cutting — went into it.
April in the Perth Hills: What’s Keeping Me Grounded
The mornings are cooler now, the kind that make you linger a bit longer under a warm quilt.
This morning, the mist hung low over the valley when I let the chickens out. April does that here in the Perth Hills. It’s cool enough now that the quilt doesn’t get kicked off during the night. I’ve been sleeping better, which I think has a lot to do with the new eucalyptus liner I added to the BackRevive Lumbar Support Cushion. Small changes, right?
Autumn always feels like a reset. The rush of summer markets has eased off, and I finally have room to think. I spent the morning tidying the workbench in the shed, which had accumulated a ridiculous number of empty boxes. The shed smells faintly of lavender oil from a spill last month — not a bad thing, considering it could’ve been turps. Funny how smells linger in wood.
The garden’s finally starting to recover from the dry summer. I pruned back the rosemary last week and found a little nest tucked underneath. No eggs, though. We’ve also started getting early mandarins from the tree near the fence. They’re not quite sweet yet, but they’ve got that tangy brightness that reminds me of being a kid. My dad used to bring a bag of these inside and tell us to share fairly, which of course meant my brother and I raced to see who could eat the most.
With the cooler evenings, I’ve started using the CalmSpace diffuser more often in the lounge. I’ve been blending cedarwood and orange oils, which gives the room a soft, almost spicy warmth. It’s the kind of scent that matches well with thick socks and a cup of tea. Speaking of tea, I found a tin of lemon myrtle green tea I’d forgotten about. It’s a bit past its prime, but still perfectly drinkable.
That’s April so far — quieter, slower, and full of those little markers that the seasons are changing. I’m trying to embrace the pause before the winter rains set in. The mornings are crisp enough now that you can see your breath if you step outside early. It’s a small joy, but one I’m holding onto tightly.
Customer reviews
Laura T. — Fremantle, WA — 2024-03-22 — 5/5
Great night’s sleep!
Ordered the DreamCloud Memory Foam Pillow and I’ve slept so much better since. It has just the right amount of support. Delivery was quick too!
James L. — Newtown, NSW — 2024-08-15 — 4/5
Good, but shipping was slow
The Vitality Weighted Blanket is super comfortable and heavy in just the right way. My only issue was that standard shipping took a little longer than expected.
Meghan K. — Hobart, TAS — 2025-01-03 — 5/5
Perfect for relaxing
I bought the CalmSpace Essential Oil Diffuser and love how it fills my living room with a subtle scent. The setup was easy and it arrived in perfect condition.
Steve N. — Cottesloe, WA — 2024-11-30 — 4/5
Comfortable but pricey
The BackRevive Lumbar Support Cushion has made a huge difference to my lower back pain while working. I just wish it were a bit more affordable.
Anna P. — Paddington, QLD — 2024-06-18 — 5/5
Lightweight and effective
I got the Tranquil Nights Sleep Mask and it’s the best one I’ve tried. Blocks out light really well and is so soft on my skin. Highly recommend!
Elliot G. — Northcote, VIC — 2024-02-10 — 5/5
Better than expected
The DreamCloud Memory Foam Pillow is a game-changer. It arrived faster than I thought and fits perfectly in a standard pillowcase.
Rachel H. — Darwin, NT — 2025-04-27 — 4/5
Nice diffuser
The CalmSpace Essential Oil Diffuser works well and looks great on my shelf. Shipping to NT took a bit longer, but it was worth the wait.
Ben W. — Norwood, SA — 2024-12-05 — 5/5
Great for long drives
The BackRevive Lumbar Support Cushion is fantastic for road trips. I’ve been using it in the car and it really helps with my posture.