Decorating
Super Cool Idea: Double Duty Display Unit in Melbourne
This stylish display unit in the kitchen of a warehouse apartment also doubles as a privacy screen and storage for a loft bedroom
Some months ago, interior designer Meredith Lee was called in to customise what was ostensibly a tired, converted warehouse apartment in inner-city Melbourne, and to give it some vitality. While her makeover for the whole apartment combined industrial edginess with tropical themes and saturated colour, it was the double-duty bookcase, used to store books, ornaments and shoes, and to divide a kitchen from a bedroom, that first piqued our interest in her project. Read how she achieved the design and build of this conversation starter below.
What was the brief for the custom-built storage unit?
My client is an avid entertainer, reader and shoe collector. She needed somewhere to store her books, as well as her shoes. Short on space, the mezzanine area between the kitchen and bedroom was the ideal place for additional storage, and so the idea of the unit/dividing wall came about.
How did you achieve this?
The unit was built in sections off-site, then assembled on-site. The library ladder came in a kit form, specifically made to suit our space. The materials used in construction include laminated MDF shelving, acrylic sheeting, a timber ladder and metal rail.
How does it work?
The bookshelf is accessed via the library ladder from the ground floor, and the shoe storage is accessed from the mezzanine bedroom. The opal (translucent) acrylic sheeting, which is sandwiched in between the two sets of shelves, allows light to flow into the bedroom and creates interesting shadows. The shelf sizes were specifically designed to suit the objects being displayed. The library ladder performs functionally and also suits the industrial history of the warehouse.
My client is an avid entertainer, reader and shoe collector. She needed somewhere to store her books, as well as her shoes. Short on space, the mezzanine area between the kitchen and bedroom was the ideal place for additional storage, and so the idea of the unit/dividing wall came about.
How did you achieve this?
The unit was built in sections off-site, then assembled on-site. The library ladder came in a kit form, specifically made to suit our space. The materials used in construction include laminated MDF shelving, acrylic sheeting, a timber ladder and metal rail.
How does it work?
The bookshelf is accessed via the library ladder from the ground floor, and the shoe storage is accessed from the mezzanine bedroom. The opal (translucent) acrylic sheeting, which is sandwiched in between the two sets of shelves, allows light to flow into the bedroom and creates interesting shadows. The shelf sizes were specifically designed to suit the objects being displayed. The library ladder performs functionally and also suits the industrial history of the warehouse.
Why peacock blue?
My client is very confident with colour and this peacock blue was chosen based on her request to incorporate the colour. She wanted the display feature to coordinate with the flamingo wallpaper, which is behind the kitchen splashback and in the apartment entrance. We also designed her a bathroom that features peacock blue.
What wasn’t working before this feature was created?
Shoes were everywhere on the floor in the bedroom, books took up a lot of valuable space in the living room. Now everything has a specific place and is organised.
My client is very confident with colour and this peacock blue was chosen based on her request to incorporate the colour. She wanted the display feature to coordinate with the flamingo wallpaper, which is behind the kitchen splashback and in the apartment entrance. We also designed her a bathroom that features peacock blue.
What wasn’t working before this feature was created?
Shoes were everywhere on the floor in the bedroom, books took up a lot of valuable space in the living room. Now everything has a specific place and is organised.
What were the challenges associated with the project?
The apartment was on the third floor and initially the lift wasn’t working, so everything had to be carried in and out by hand to start with.
What do you and your client love about it?
My client loves the design; it reflects her unique style and works functionally. I think overall the whole design of the apartment exudes a sense of confidence and fun that suits her personality, but the bookcase is certainly a conversation starter. I particularly love the way the acrylic allows dynamic shadow plays when light shines through – that was a bit of a surprise.
Are there any tips you can share with our readers?
Finding the right builder for a project will make everything run smoothly.
TELL US
Does your home feature an interesting multi-purpose fixture? Tell us about it and share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Easy Update: Give Your Bookcase a Colourful Makeover
10 Built-In Storage Solutions That Win the War on Stuff
Awash With Colour: Go Wild With Every Shade Under the Sun
The apartment was on the third floor and initially the lift wasn’t working, so everything had to be carried in and out by hand to start with.
What do you and your client love about it?
My client loves the design; it reflects her unique style and works functionally. I think overall the whole design of the apartment exudes a sense of confidence and fun that suits her personality, but the bookcase is certainly a conversation starter. I particularly love the way the acrylic allows dynamic shadow plays when light shines through – that was a bit of a surprise.
Are there any tips you can share with our readers?
Finding the right builder for a project will make everything run smoothly.
TELL US
Does your home feature an interesting multi-purpose fixture? Tell us about it and share a photo in the Comments section.
MORE
Easy Update: Give Your Bookcase a Colourful Makeover
10 Built-In Storage Solutions That Win the War on Stuff
Awash With Colour: Go Wild With Every Shade Under the Sun
Project name: Collingwood warehouse apartment
The feature we love: Double-duty custom-built storage unit separating kitchen from loft bedroom
Interior designer and project administrator: Meredith Lee
Client: Inner-city business woman
Location: Collingwood, Victoria
Cost: Shelving only was $15,000 to $20,000
Timeframe: Sep 2015 – Dec 2015 (3 months)
See more of this project