The Design Files: A jaw-dropping apartment in one of Australia's first warehouse conversions

Who: Interior designer Mardi Ola

What: A jaw-dropping apartment in one of Australia’s first warehouse conversions

Where: South Yarra, Melbourne

While the converted warehouse has become a well-established building typology, the South Yarra home of interior designer Mardi Ola and daughters Olivia, 12, and Ava, 11, is one of the first examples in Australia. With its soaring ceilings and New-York-in-the-60s aesthetic, this place really is one of a kind.

When Ola purchased the property just two years ago, the 1982 fit-out was still standing strong – “it was awash with grey laminate,” she says.

The site was originally the home of a Maples Store (the yesteryear version of Myer, or Harvey Norman), and in 1978 was purchased by a group of Melbourne architects and developers. In 1980, the team converted the site into a group of apartments, in one of Australia’s first warehouse conversions.

Soon after moving in, Ola stripped the space of internal walls, to bring her own identity to the spatial layout. “As none of the internal walls were structural, it was relatively easy
to reconfigure,” she says.

Less easy, was sawing through four layers of brickwork to drop the height of all of the windows, but it was worth the work.

The home is adorned with an incredible collection of furniture, antiques, art and other treasured items Ola has collected, and her ethos is to “make things as friendly and relaxed as possible, and as far away from the showroom aesthetic as possible”. The Paul Evans cabinets, Platner armchairs and Colombo “Elda” chair are particular favourites.

What is perhaps most striking about this amazing home is its incredible use of texture and colour.

Ola has been brave with her choices, layering rich gold curtains with luxe silk carpets and Moroccan rugs underfoot, and introducing teal wall panelling, alongside a palette of mustard, apricots, and even icy mint green, with cabinetry in emerald green and grey.

The result is a home that is enviably refined, yet full of personality – a space with a unique character.

How to master warehouse living

For all its charm, warehouse living does bring with it some specific challenges. Consider the following to make a warehouse-like space home.

• Lofty ceilings can mean discomfort in the depths of winter, and in the height of summer – not to mention high energy bills. Use doors that slide or fold away, so smaller areas can be heated and cooled.
• Large open spaces with hard surfaces will always echo. Soften surfaces with rugs, deep curtains or even sleek acoustic panels.
• A former industrial space can feel empty and austere. Choose key pieces of furniture and artwork carefully; they should be big and bold enough to hold their own in a large space.