Despite its close proximity to the city centre, North Melbourne has a certain provincial charm that recalls the gentle pace of pastoral life. Located in a Victorian manor house, Aesop North Melbourne embraces the features of this heritage, evincing an old-world grandeur that is enhanced by a sympathetic furnishing selection. This project was the first collaboration between Aesop and March Studio – the beginning of an enduring and fruitful relationship that has spanned many years and several continents. Located on a corner block on Errol Street, the neighbourhood’s wide, rambling thoroughfare, the space is surrounded by large glass windows edged in copper, which flood it with natural light. Original lead-lighting tinged with grey forms an ornate border around the upper edge of the windows, its intricate geometric pattern complementing the decorative iron-work on the corrugated iron awnings that jut out beyond. Next to the entrance sits a jumbled pile of books, left in a heap as if randomly discarded during a move or Spring clean.
Inside, the walls are coated in a deep, dusky pink that immediately soothes the senses with its rosy warmth. Dark concrete flooring adds a contemporary touch and is a strong support to the feminine palette.
Three antique Viennese fountains assume the place of sinks along the wall.Made from moulded cast iron coated with white enamel, their ribbed bowls are backed by decorative panels surrounded by floral embellishments. Their slightly crumbling, aged surfaces fit perfectly with the historic context, while new brass taps ensure they are fully functional in their contemporary application.
A large set of vintage Silky Oak archive drawers has pride of place in the centre, providing product storage and display. Originally owned by the Gallery of New South Wales, this reclaimed and ingeniously reconfigured piece sits with its drawers resting open to act as presentation trays for the range of tubes, bottles and jars. Other arrangements are visible underneath the wide glass top. On one end of the unit sits a large oxidised copper tub, the mottled metal communing with the fountains opposite. Filled with the graceful sensibility of bygone eras, reassembled with contemporary additions to create a modern environment, Aesop North Melbourne is a bucolic haven in an urban setting.
North Melbourne, Australia