An Unexpected Fusing – Bent Street by Kim Kneipp

Fusing art deco stylings and philosophies into an otherwise Victorian-era heritage home, Bent Street aims to challenge the expected and conventional. Kim Kneipp carefully crafts the interior of a compact Kensington cottage with a series of animated and warm insertions.

Imagined as part of a two phased process, Bent Street is the result of a patient approach. Home to two sisters, the original engagement for Kim Kneipp was in a styling capacity only, with all other more permanent elements to remain untouched as the home was possibly slated for demolition as part of an upcoming freeway extension. Upon confirmation that the home was safe, the interiors were then given the same detailed and thoughtful consideration, recrafting the previous home into one that brings together a considered and texturally diverse series of elements.

Consolidating the differing styles and collected items of the owners, the initial stages of the design were about bringing a sense of order to the home, while ensuring a connection to the natural was still expressed.

Designed by Kim Kneipp and built by Obake Creations, together with joinery by ZP Woodworks, Bent Street brings together the sweeping motions and soft edge detailing of the art deco movement within the shell of a Victorian era home. Defying convention, where the expected approach would be to continue a similar ornate methodology as the original home, the team wanted to fuse together styles that represented important chapters in its history. Consolidating the differing styles and collected items of the owners, the initial stages of the design were about bringing a sense of order to the home while ensuring a connection to the natural was still expressed.

The open shelving system allows the natural light deep into the space and acts as a central display and storage element. The rolling ladder then connects back to the those found in Victorian libraries, as a nod to the past. It is the combination of the flow of movement of the deco era and the detailed approach of the Victorian era that ensures the new work of Bent Street feels appropriately responsive. The combined integrated detailing and interesting play on form together with heightened detailing then creates moments of unexpected interest. Although a small and challenging home, the clever concealing of elements and the cross-functionality of the joinery supports the unique way in which its owners live.

It is the combination of the flow of movement of the deco era and the detailed approach of the Victorian era that ensures the new work of Bent Street feels appropriately responsive.

As an analogy to the differing styles of its occupants, Kim Kneipp utilises combined stylistic approaches to ensure Bent Street emerges as a balanced blending of contrasting opposites, existing in harmony.