LIVING WITH COLOUR

Acreative Melbourne couple used colour and art to transform a warehouse apartment into an eclectic entertainer's paradise

- LAURA BARRY

Colour code Limited-edition Zouzou rugs appear in the living room and provide a base on which the Ligne Roset 'Togo' sofa and custom coffee tables, designed by Cara and Mitchell, are positioned. Extra storage comes in the form of a USM Haller cabinetry module purchased from Anibou, and a vintage silver lamp from Modern Times finishes the scene. Artwork by Amy Wright.

CARA AND HER PARTNER MITCHELL had been looking for a two-bedroom terrace house that could cater to large gatherings of friends and family for quite some time before they discovered this warehouse apartment in Collingwood. "We wanted to create a home that would balance family life and entertaining friends," says Cara. "The renovation of the warehouse was completed early 2020, prior to the start of lockdown and the birth of our son. In the end, it was perfect timing as we had a beautiful new home to spend a lot of hours in."

CONSTRUCTION The duo both work in design and were inspired by many different interior styles, but eventually fell upon an eclectic scheme free of unnecessary clutter, and used art and decorative objects to add character. "Natural materials are used as much as possible. We worked closely with a local restorer to refinish the original timber floors - which were quite yellow - to stain them a beautiful walnut tone. We have used steel and timber throughout as we love how these materials change color and patina with age," says Cara.