We’re loving Watershed Union, the Melbourne based New-York-loft meets Hamptons-destination-store (think Something’s Gotta Give) that specialises in vintage industrial furniture, lighting and homewares. The store features one-off vintage industrial pieces set amid pared-back/classic interior settings and new furniture and homewares in settings made to look age-old.
Storeowner Bruce Grant travels North America securing authentic industrial relics such as 1920s-1940s factory carts and furnishings, then restores and repurposes them as coffee and dining tables, sideboards and other furniture for the home.
Established in 2010, the Hawthorn-based showroom is, according to Bruce, a way of demonstrating how you can mix ‘that real New York loft/vintage industrial look’ with softer furnishings and homewares to create an altogether new aesthetic.
‘The first pieces we started with were 1920s American factory carts that were originally used to move furniture on factory floors. We also use salvaged Australian hardwoods within table designs.’
Most of the furniture is built and customised at the back of the showroom. Bruce is responsible for the all of the repurposed pieces as well as a range of imported reproduction furniture based on the 19th-century French industrial look. His favourite items, the vintage factory carts, typically feature American oak with cast iron wheels and fittings.
‘What I love most about my job is the creative aspect of turning a salvaged piece of industrial into a lovely piece of home furniture, and the thrill off the customer’s response.’
Before opening Watershed Union, Bruce was in sales and marketing for a fast-moving consumer goods company. He hopes his new store will allow him to continue to indulge his passion for creative design and allow him to share the results with newly-inspired souls.
234-236 Auburn Road, Hawthorn, Victoria 3122
Tel 03 9815 2166
www.watershedunion.com
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