Beneath the historic beams of an iconic Collingwood warehouse in the famed Foy & Gibson precinct, Scandinavian furniture emporium Fred International has taken up residence in a space that marries the brand’s Nordic roots with a distinctly Melbourne aesthetic.
In collaboration with interior designer Angela Harry and stylist Simone Haag, the apartment-style concept showroom has been crafted with both locality and worldliness in mind.
“Fred International’s apartment is the merging of the concept of home with an aesthetic that is distinctly Melbourne,” says Harry. “This meant challenging the notion of Scandinavian design being strictly clean and minimal, instead opting for a darker, moodier palette; sophisticated, with a hint of Collingwood edge.”
While embracing the building’s heritage bones, careful consideration was given to removing layers of previous renovations, and imbuing the space with a light, restrained approach to new materials and finishes.
“Selecting a single shade of grey for the predominant space meant the original heritage detail and textures are celebrated just as they are, and gave us the freedom to be bold in the entryway with the contrast of rich terracotta walls and lustrous carpet.”
Within the artful space, both new and iconic furniture pieces were selected from the extensive Fred International collection, with contemporary Scandinavian brands including Fogia, by Lassen, Friends & Founders, Rubn Lighting and Secto Design.
Colour is expressed almost entirely through the inherent material itself; cognac leather, marble, terrazzo, brass and smoked glass, with the exception of an intense wine-red velvet sofa, the Retreat by Fogia, and the Friends & Founders La Pipe dining chairs, clothed in the deepest sea green.
A pair of Fogia Bollo chairs is happily camouflaged in Raf Simons for Kvadrat upholstery against Fogia’s woven wool rugs, while decorative and functional light fittings act as a finishing touch, including a cluster of Rubn Vogue pendants; custom coloured to match the bold entrance.
Fred International director Melissa Walker says the space allows for an ever- changing curation of the brand’s evolving offering.
“Our intention is to continually reinvent, and this unique residential-concept encourages that dynamism,” says Walker. “While contemporary Scandinavian design celebrates the region’s great heritage, it’s bold and progressive and diverse in a way that eschews minimalist confines of the past. It’s a really exciting time, and we’re thrilled to have finally arrived in marvellous Melbourne.”
Fred International Melbourne is located at 10/79 Oxford Street, Collingwood, and is open by appointment only. Visit fredinternational.com.au to arrange your private viewing.
By appointment. Book here
https://fredinternational.com.au/contact
Photography
Mark Roper
http://www.markroperphotography.com
Interior Design
Angela Harry
Art direction and styling
Simone Haag
http://simone-haag-92tm.squarespace.com
Art
James Makin Gallery
Artist
Greg Woods
