My Flatpack, Auckland

Working hard at Myflatpack

 

Several weeks ago I went to Auckland to assist Myflatpack with interior changes and visual merchandising for their showroom in Newmarket. As you can see above, the team worked hard - new internal walls were built to create areas within the open space and we added colour on the walls (the green you see is the children's area).
It was great to see more of the successful Ikea products that Myflatpack bring to New Zealand and to display them to their full potential.
The showroom is located at 2 Roxburgh Street, Newmarket and they deliver all over New Zealand. I sourced my classic and super functional PS cabinet in white from them several years ago and it has pride of place in my living room.
Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

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Eclectic and Vibrant Home from Inside Out Magazine

The cover photo of Inside Out's September/October magazine.

On the cover of Inside Out's September/October issue is the home of Lucy Fenton, the founder and owner of Fenton & Fenton, a unique homewares and lifestyle store in Melbourne, Australia. Located above the store, this vibrant and eclectic home combines personal belongings along with shop products.
Photographs by Felix Forest via Homelife.

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Aesop Store, Melbourne by kta

After a 5 year break, I am back tutoring at Victoria University's Architecture and Design School this semester - it's good to be back in the studio with the students.
I am very fortunate to be teaching alongside Melbourne architect, Kerstin Thompson (kta) and to be involved in a great project that deals with the the quirky area of Cuba Street, Wellington and thinking about heritage, earthquake strengthening and inner city housing for an expanding Wellington population.
The above project is the new Aesop flagship store on Collins Street, Melbourne, designed by kta. In response to the traditional streetscape and being in the same building as the oldest club in Australia, kta took the notion of a 'gentleman's private salon' to create the new Aesop store. Great details include the leather curtain, the 'gentleman's vanity' testing station, wall mounted cabinets and the use of sheet metal.
Photographs via kta.

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Kate Sylvester at Britomart

This is the new Kate Sylvester store at Britomart, Auckland. Lovely simple interiors with stylish displays. Must add to my to-do-in-Auckland list.
Photographs via Kate Sylvester and Home New Zealand.

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A Simple Designer Bakery in Japan

I'm enjoying this minimal and beautifully designed bakery in Kyoto, Japan. Named Panscape, the bakery was designed by ninkipen! and uses a lovely range of materials. The counter is made of 10mm thick aluminium, the front display cabinet rests on a large roughly cut log and touches of gold are noted with the front step lettering and reflective panel on the wall beside the front cabinet. Just stunning.

Photographs by Hiroki Kawata via Archdaily.

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A Cool Store for Men

Save Khaki United at 254 Broome, New Yrok City.

This is a men's store called Save Khaki United (SKU) and is one of three stores located in New York City. SKU makes men's clothes and accessories and follows the motto "modern fit, timeless quality". I like how this store is presented - very relaxed and with no pretensions. The displays are simple and effective - using butcher hooks, nails and chunky timber. I can imagine my male friends being happy to shop here.
Photographs via SKU's Flickr

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Ted Muehling Store in NYC

Ted Muehling jewellery store in NYC. Photograph by Ditte Isager.

Here is an elegant jewellery store in New York that goes by the name of its jewellery designer, Ted Muehling. I like the homely and gentle feel of the store as well as its interesting displays and grey panelled walls. Stylist Sibella Court is a fan - in fact, from her book 'The Stylists Guide to NYC', she says "If you're feeling flat (actually if you're in any kind of mood), come here. Not only for his beautiful nature-inspired jewellery but also his coral-inspired spoons. The panelled walls are often pinned with dragonflies and sea creatures." Sounds lovely.
Photograph via Ditte Isager.

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New Hermes Store, Paris

Here is a striking new retail experience - the new Hermes Rive Gauche boutique in Paris. The store was designed by RDAI and is located within a former 1930'swimming pool.
The floor of the pool area is covered with mosaics tiles and the dramatic stairwell leads the people from the entrance straight to the ash timber pavillons in the former pool area. Read and see more photos of the new store here.
Photographs via Deezen.

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Old World Elegance from The Sartorialist

Here is some old world European elegance from photographer Scott Schuman and his blog, The Sartorialist.
This is Degand, a menswear retail store on 415 Avenue Louise, Brussels. I would love to visit this store - it has that classic understated luxury that feels like a grand home rather than a retail store. Its beautiful details like the parquet flooring, Turkish rugs, timber fittings and crystal chandelier make the merchandise seem very special. You can smell the leather and know that the service will be impeccable - a true sartorial experience. This interior is timeless.
Photographs via the Sartorialist.

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New Work - Store Front Gate Installed

The new store front gate of Minerva.

Up close.

There would be a padlock to close the gate together - you can see Anne (my client) behind the glass doors on her way to lock up.

I had a late meeting this evening so I went via Cuba Street to see Minerva's new store front gate in use as it would be at the end of the working day. I have seen the gate since it's installation but hadn't had the chance to see it fully closed. The steel guys did a great job producing this gate and the client is happy with how it turned out. It has been getting many positive comments from customers too.

Photographs by Charlotte Minty.

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