When Christina Economous and Barun Chatterjee initially attended this West Melbourne warehouse’s open for inspection, they weren’t seriously considering moving… but the opportunity to rent such a large and versatile space proved too tempting to pass up!
‘We originally checked it out as part of one of our favourite hobbies: open house viewings,’ says Christina. ‘The size was pretty overwhelming, but we knew we wanted somewhere to live and work from, and a place where we could spread out when we want to be creative or social.’
The couple were particularly attracted to the natural light and airiness in the space, but also its hidden location in a quiet pocket of West Melbourne. Located off a private laneway and with an unassuming exterior, the home is a pleasant surprise for anyone entering the first time.
Before their landlord bought the property in 2013, this warehouse had already lived a few lives as a workshop, then as an office and cafe. Today, Christina runs her small print empire business Pinky Print from the property, while Barun works as a filmmaker and photographer.
The couple have sought to create a relaxed, neutral home here, using simple, utilitarian furnishings and a monochromatic palette. ‘It’s pretty pared back, with a focus on textures rather than lots of colours to separate things, and draw interest,’ says Christina.
One challenge has been furnishing the space with proportionate pieces, and making the cavernous space feel homely. ‘Having an open space and such high ceilings can make your things feel small pretty quickly. But it does mean more wall space for art!’ says Christina.
There’s always music playing in this home, and when Christina and Barun are off the clock, you’ll usually find them drinking wine, making pasta, and feeding friends. In summer, the couple regularly turn their private laneway into an outdoor dining area – a city renter’s dream!
