Design Sponge

Pip Brett and Nick Luelf purchased the former Masonic Hall of Orange in New South Wales, Australia in June of last year and opened the doors to their concept space, The Sonic, only nine weeks later. The Masonic Hall was built in 1864, and one night when Nick was walking the couple’s dogs he saw that it was for sale, and actually had been for four years. The next day they looked at the space, fell in love with the exterior, the interior’s original beams, bricks, and hardwood floors, and put in an offer. Nick is a builder, which would prove useful in their whirlwind nine-week renovation of the space, and Pip owns a homewares store — Jumbled — and clothing store — Iglou. Pip launched Iglou in 2006 and Jumbled in 2012. Through the success of the shops’ online marketplaces and social media presences the stores were outgrowing their physical spaces, so creating a concept store with the couple’s favorite things — fashion, home goods, and coffee — was ideal timing. The classic Masonic Hall was so big that it allowed enough room to let the three businesses feel like they had distinct spaces, while still feeling open and having a clear flow.

With a tight timeframe, and limited budget, the couple enlisted old high school friends and architecture and interior design firm, Studio Esteta, to help round out their vision. The support from others also elevated the design, and most importantly helped to ensure their plan was complete so that the moment they were ready to begin their renovation, nothing would delay them. Finishing the project was a labor of love, complete with friends and family whose help made it all possible. The last project Pip and Nick are in the process of tackling now is the cooling and heating of the massive space — the latter of which will be important because it actually snows in Orange! Ultimately, the creative couple made a shop that feels both historic and modern at the same time, and one we’d be happy to get lost in while sipping a coffee and taking in all the treasures. —Rebekah

 

"There are three distinct areas in the open-plan design of The Sonic. We wanted to create a space that had a flow throughout whilst still maintaining a distinct separation," Pip explains. 

The perfect pink hue in the Iglou changing rooms, “Rose Nude” by Taubmans.

A dressing room that feels like it could be found in Old Hollywood or a minimalist's wildest dreams.

Pip looked on the positive side of their limitations, "Our limited budget and extreme time restraints made the renovation challenging. However, I am a huge believer that a limited budget forces you to be resourceful; to work harder in finding cheaper alternatives and to push you to think outside of the box. When this takes place, that is when the design magic happens."

With a space so big that entire living scenes can be beautifully displayed, it's no wonder Jumbled (and the other shops) have done so well in the new space.

Pip shares what she values the most in their space, "I am most thankful that The Sonic allows us to work in a big and beautiful space every day. Our new home gives our art and products room to breathe and shine, which has seen our business grow and flourish. I feel so lucky that we stumbled across this lovely old building and took a chance."

Pip explains the tight renovation schedule and their community who helped them achieve their dreams: "Because of the short timeframe we had to literally work day and night for nine weeks. Having my husband Nick as a builder saved us so much time and money. We did everything that we possibly could ourselves and had a team of dedicated family and friends lending a much needed hand. I think they realized that we may have bitten off a little more than we could chew. Without them we would probably be still renovating and/or broke!"

An added benefit of the huge space is that it allows Pip and Nick to host events and workshops as well. The lovely, and rather prolific, Australian stylist Julia Green of Greenhouse Interiors, just hosted styling workshops in the space.

"Iglou and Jumbled had outgrown both of our current stores and we were looking for something bigger when we discovered that the old Masonic Hall was for sale. It ticked all of the boxes -- it had so much character, a huge inspiring space, incredible roof trusses and beams and was in a great location right in the center of town. The size and layout of the building allowed us to turn our dream of a concept store into a reality."

All smiles with Nick and Pip and their sons, Digby and Barnaby. Photo by Pip Farqaurson.

 

Pip shares the intention behind the design of their space, “There are three distinct areas in the open-plan design of The Sonic. We wanted to create a space that had a flow throughout whilst still maintaining a distinct separation.”

SOURCE LIST

Interior and exterior design- Studio Esteta

Outside
Paint- Dulux in Natural White and Domino

Signage- laser cut locally by McSigns

Timber door handle – Designer Doorware

Iglou
Walls – Paint: Dulux natural white

Flooring – Cabot’s CFP Floor Water Based floor finish, tinted with Dulux natural white

Laser cut signage and all metal work- ATB Industries in Orange

Metal work paint – Dulux electro range, color: Black Ace

Feature light- POTENCE PIVOTANTE BY NEMO LIGHTING (black wall light)

Counter – American oak veneer

Central Plinths – Dulux Narrowneck Satin finish

Lighting – LED track lighting, color: black satin

Iglou Changerooms
Paint color- Rose Nude by Taubmans

Carpet- RESIDENCE CARPET. COLOR: 0018 EIGHTEEN (DUSTY PINK) Supplier: EC Carpets

Wall lamps – Onefortythree

Curtains – Kismet polished linen, color: Cameo, Supplier: James Dunlop

Metal work – Dulux electro range, color: Black Ace

Mirrors – Mira Leaning Mirror, color: Coal, Supplier: Middle of Nowhere

Stools – ikea, painted with Taubmans, Rose Nude

Jumbled
Lighting – LED track lighting, Color: white satin

Counter – plywood B Grade radiata pine – limed with Cabot’s

Floors – Cabot’s CFP Floor Water Based floor finish, tinted with Dulux natural white

Walls – painted Dulux natural white

Duct work – painted Dulux natural white

Steel work – Made locally by ATB Industries, Powdercoated: Dulux electro range, color: Black Ace

Nimrod’s (cafe area)
Counter- solid Tasmanian oak cladding limed with Cabot’s

Tabletops- Victorian Ash limed with Cabot’s

Metal work – made locally by ATB Industries. Powdercoated in Natural White, Delux

Nib wall – Painted with Blue Shamrock by Taubmans

Skylights- VELUX

Stools and chairs – Spice stool, contour chair and racquet chair, Supplier: Space to Create

Lighting – led track lighting, color: white satin

Floors – Cabot’s CFP Floor Water Based floor finish, tinted with Dulux natural white

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This article was written be Rebekah Carey and originally published on The Design Sponge on 20th June 2017. It can be found online here.

Images by Martina Gemmola