If David and Sarah Ross ever found themselves stranded on a desert island, one suspects it would be a particularly well-appointed one. As the founders of Addison Ross, they’ve spent decades creating colourful, beautifully crafted pieces designed to bring a little more joy to everyday life.
For this edition of Stranded on a Desert Island, we asked the husband-and-wife duo to imagine what they would save, what they couldn’t live without, and which pieces from the beloved Addison Ross collection would earn a place alongside them on the shore. During the conversation, there are reflections on family, their desert island soundtracks, a dream collaboration for a future collection and the objects that make a place feel like home.
What is one object you couldn’t leave behind and why?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“We’d take a framed family photograph. We spend so much time making beautiful things, but really, it’s family that matters most. Having a picture with us would feel like carrying a bit of home wherever we went, a little reminder of the people we love, the laughter we’ve shared, and all the memories that mean the most. It might not help much with survival, but it would be the thing that made us feel grounded and comforted.”
Which piece from your collection would you most want with you on a desert island to remind you of home?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“The Scallop Tray, without hesitation. It’s where our lacquer journey really began and where much of the Addison Ross story first took shape. It captures so much of our design DNA: colour, design, and timeless style. Seeing it would remind us not only of home, but also of how far we’ve come as a family business… and would probably inspire our next lacquered piece!”
What would be the Addison Ross island soundtrack?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“The Beach Boys and Dusty Springfield. The Beach Boys are impossible not to enjoy when you’re somewhere sunny, and Good Vibrations feels particularly appropriate for desert island life. Then Dusty brings a bit of glamour and nostalgia into the mix. We’d happily spend the day listening to music, having a long lunch in the shade and watching the sun go down with Dusty playing in the background.”
What is the most practical piece from your collection that you would bring to the island?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“Our Rechargeable Bobbin Lamp. It’s one of those pieces that quickly becomes indispensable. Whether you’re reading, dining, or simply creating a warm atmosphere after sunset, it instantly makes any space feel more welcoming. Even on a desert island, we’d still want beautiful lighting!”
What one object would you choose for each other to bring to the island, and why?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“We know exactly what we’d choose for one another. I’d insist David brings one of our Bobbin Salt Mills – after all, this was his bright idea and he’s the mastermind behind it, so seeing it always makes him happy. Plus, it might come in handy to season whatever questionable food we manage to scavenge on the island!
“David, meanwhile, would choose a Nespresso machine for me. I love coffee far too much to survive without it, and island mornings would be unbearable without a proper cup in hand – this is of course assuming our dog Rocky wasn’t allowed to come along!”
Who would be your dream guest to collaborate with on a future Addison Ross collection?
David & Sarah Ross, co-founders of Addison Ross, comment:
“Without a doubt, Martha Stewart. She is the ultimate authority on entertaining, decorating, gardening and making everyday life feel beautiful. We would love to collaborate on a collection with her. And if she happened to join us on our desert island, we’re fairly certain she’d have cultivated a flourishing vegetable garden, planted flowers, and prepared a spectacular dinner long before any rescue boat arrived. We suspect we’d end up wanting to stay!”
Whether it’s a treasured family photograph or a morning coffee that simply can’t be compromised, David and Sarah’s choices are a reminder that home is often found in the smallest details. Fortunately for the rest of us, Addison Ross has spent decades turning those details into something worth treasuring.
From Martha Stewart and The Beach Boys to lacquer trays and bobbin lamps, the pair have given plenty of thought to desert island life. The only question that remains is whether they’d ever want to leave…