How this Richmond apartment went from 'cobbled together' student digs to sophisticated art-filled retreat

The past two decades have held three constants for Amy Henderson: her passion for creative arts, her love for entertaining, and her address.

Henderson moved into her Richmond warehouse apartment when she was only 20, and she’s been there ever since. Perhaps it was kismet. The flat was previously owned by a photographer who’d spent years creating in the space; she moved in with aims of carving out a career in the creative industries, a goal she achieved founding her creative agency THE ARTL–NE (also based in Richmond).

When Henderson moved into the apartment in 2003 she hosted a lot of parties. She describes that early-noughties space as “reflecting a girl that was at uni and that had cobbled together bits and pieces to create a home”.  As she got older and could invest in art and design the space evolved – although there are some sentimental hand-me-downs that have endured.

“It’s fairly obvious when you come into the apartment – there’s not necessarily a real style that exists. It’s just sort of come together based on me purchasing pieces that are meaningful to me,” she says.

Henderson has lived both alone and with partners over the years, and spent a decade cohabitating with her beloved dog (who died last year). “I love that I have a sanctuary – a very quiet space in a very bustling area.”

Name: Amy Henderson

Lives: In a warehouse apartment in the heart of Richmond

Since: 2003

With: Herself

What made you fall in love with the space when you first saw it?

I actually fell in love with the exterior. What I loved most was it has a warehouse red brick facade with a tiny little Juliet balcony. It felt European. Once I went inside, I really fell in love with the concrete floors, the natural light, and these big high ceilings. It also has a pretty amazing bathroom [with] very old-fashioned turquoise tiles which I’ve considered updating but I just think it brings so much character to the space.

Do you remember what it was like to first move into the apartment?

I remember feeling really lucky. I was at university and it was the ideal place to be 20. Then as I’ve evolved as a person the apartment’s evolved. I’ve had multiple relationships in those 20 years, and partners that have lived with me in the space, so the style and layout and feel of the apartment has changed probably as much as I have in those two decades.

When you moved in did you think you’d stay for 20 years?

I didn’t. When you’re 20 you kind of have this picture in your mind that you’re going to take those natural, traditional steps in life. And while I’ve taken a few, I haven’t taken a lot. I’ve owned property, I’ve had different partners, I’ve had a dog. I always thought that I would probably move into a home in the suburbs with a garden and have kids and all those things, but that hasn’t been the journey. Instead, it’s been a home that’s really evolved with me and my lifestyle [and] come on the journey with me.

Have you made any changes to the space?

I haven’t made big changes. Because its bones and its structure are so strong I’ve never done anything major to it. I think once you start doing one thing to a property that’s been [untouched] for so many years you start to unravel something. So I’ve just let it be what it’ll be.

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What was the first significant piece you bought for the space?

The first piece of design I bought was a Metafora coffee table from Italian designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli. It was a table I’d always wanted. It’s got marble shaped legs – so a triangle, a circle, a square and a cylinder. It was a table that I’d always hoped to purchase, and I spotted one in Fitzroy one day.

How would you describe the feeling in your home?

I really wanted to create a space that felt almost like a gallery. Still very homely, still very much a sanctuary. A space that people can sit in and not feel like they’re going to knock things over. But it was important for me to be able to be in the space and [always] be looking at something that I’ve purchased that I really enjoy looking at. From that perspective, it’s changed a lot [over the past 20 years] because it’s found a real balance between being a home and being a place that I can showcase art in.

What’s your favourite room in the house?

The living room. I spend so much time in there because it’s open-plan with the kitchen. It’s so easy to entertain. I love having people into the space and I love having the balcony doors open out into the street [and] the periphery sounds that come through.

Speaking of the living room, can you tell us about your couch?

The couch is B&B Italia, which was a really significant purchase for me. I got it from Space Furniture around the corner, a store that I have spent probably 20 years walking past and admiring. I had planned to go on a sabbatical trip just before Covid hit and then when I wasn’t able to do that I decided it was time to invest in a couch – a piece that I always wanted and that I knew I would have with me for a long time. [I wanted something] I could recline and chill out on, but that when I did have people over, people could sit on and not fall asleep.

What’s it been like spending such a long time in Richmond?

There was a period where – having lived in the apartment for over 20 years – I was questioning whether or not I was progressing as a person. [I went] through a phase of wondering whether change was important for growth: to be surrounded by a new community, new dog parks, new restaurants, all those things. But Richmond has evolved as much over the last 20 years as the apartment has for me, and it just continues to evolve.

We work in Richmond too, and during the day it’s extremely busy. It’s always been an area filled with an undercurrent of art and design. I love that it is a place with a real community feel to it. It’s becoming an area that’s got some really great new restaurants, too.

Can you see yourself staying in Richmond and in the apartment for another 20 years?

I actually can. I’ve kind of come to peace with that recently. I’m definitely open to change and if that came about I’d [embrace it], but I can see a new chapter ahead and that might be in the form of a renovation or just mixing things up. The apartment [will] continue to evolve as I do. And if not, it’ll become the start of a new chapter for someone else.

This article first appeared in Domain Review, in partnership with Broadsheet.