Flinders Lane Apartment

by Nicholas Gurney

Bespoke architecture transforms Melbourne’s Heritage Listed ‘Bible House’ in the form of the Flinders Lane Apartment.

Perched high above Melbourne city’s most dynamic laneway, Flinders Lane, the interior is the work of Australian designer Nicholas Gurney whose studio is dedicated primarily to compact spaces.

The owner purchased the apartment following its conversion from commercial office space into an apartment block in the early 1990’s. Encouraged by the owner’s desire for an open, light-filled loft aesthetic, Gurney opted against conversion to a one bedroom and rather embraced the open plan.

The original features of the building have been maintained and refurbished and there were slight manipulations of the floor plan as part of the renovation. A poky, dark and enclosed bathroom was amplified to provide greater separation between the living and sleeping zones

A giant pressed steel pendant light hangs above a vintage Noblett dining table with Mary Featherston for Moderntone dining chairs. A vintage Harvey Guzzini floor lamp flanks the living room and a matching pendant light hangs in the sleeping space.

Entry to the new bathroom is via a set of oversize bespoke steel doors with opaque infills designed to flood the bathroom space with light. When illuminated at night, the washroom presents as a giant lantern for the long, narrow hallway space.

Elsewhere, Gurney opted for concealed uplighting to accentuate the proportions of the lofty space. The galley kitchen insertion is minimal and designed to abate its presence while the mirrored storage block in the sleeping space is designed to reflect the existing fabric. In the living room, the vintage sofa is by Gianni Songia for Sormani and is paired with a 1970’s chrome and glass coffee table and 19080’s Bauhaus armchair. The Original hand painted Van Halen poster and lightbox are flea market finds.

To view more Nicholas Gurney inspired bespoke architecture head to his TLP Design Profile Page.

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