Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

 

Yes, the rumours are true. Flack Studio is back with another Flacktastic retail interior you get to see first here on Yellowtrace. How good is that? Bloody awesome, I reckon.

Located on Driver Lane in Melbourne’s CBD, Flack Studio have expertly created the second store for Monk House Design – a boutique fashion retailer stocking Australian and international women’s labels. With an existing boutique in Brunswick, the brief called for a city store that was a sleeker, crisper and sharper version of its existing counterpart. The relaxed and inviting environment needed to be carried across the two stores, achieving a non-conventional retail space that was minimal in appearance with maximum functionality.

The existing heritage listed interior had a strict set of rules, limiting Flack Studio with what could be changed within the space. “We treated the fitout as an ‘insertion’ of elements, objects and forms, rather than changing the built form. It’s almost like our client could pick up and relocate at any time,” explains the design team. This clever strategy has not only resulted in what appears to be a reasonably cost effective interior, it’s also created a retail store that feels dynamic, with the ability to slightly shift with it’s changing collections.

 

Related Post: Exclusive First Look At Flack Studio’s New Retail Concept For Ginger & Smart.

 

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

Monk House Design by Flack Studio | Yellowtrace

 

“We were fortunate that the existing interior embodied beautiful original features such as ornate cornices and decorative columns. To counterbalance these ornate features, it was important for us to keep the forms of our design monolithic, minimal in detail and bold,” explains Team Flack. The original colours – soft pink and green (yum!) – provided opportunities to enhance the existing features with a graphic punch of deeper colour tones in the same palate. The velvet curtains to the change-room ‘pods’ are a shade of rich olive green which anchors the rear of the space. “In all our projects we like to throw one colour into the mix that really disrupts the space.” In this case, the blue mirror really adds a new dimension.

Lighting the space was a real challenge due to not being able to touch the existing walls or ceilings. Flack Studio replaced the two existing chandeliers with custom coloured ‘Step and Kick’ pendants from Volker Haug, further supplementing the overhead lighting with added light sources. “The sales counter and feature displays are lit by Artemide ‘Tizio’ task lamps. In addition to this, we designed the hanging rails with an integrated linear LED light to the base plinth.” These throw a soft light up the 5-meter high linen fabric panelled wall behind.

Colourful but elegant, simple but layered, sophisticated but playful – Flack Studio have not only nailed the brief but also taken the beautiful heritage space to a whole new level. Consider me, once again, impressed.

 

Related Post: Exclusive First Look At Flack Studio’s New Retail Concept For Ginger & Smart.

 

 

[Images courtesy of Flack Studio. Photography by Sean Fennessy.]

 

18 Responses

  1. once you go Flack you will not go back

    Enough with the Flack. Nothing Original here! Copies. Copies Copies. Come on Dana can’t you see that?

    Reply
  2. Simon

    I feel like somebody needs to explain just what is good about this design. To me it is a cold & unwelcoming space & the colours eh. why is their hype around this designer? What am I missing?

    Reply
  3. Lana

    Totally Agree. Not sure what warrants two stories in one month. Lets look at all the local and european designers Flack Studio is coping.

    Not cool Yellowtrace.

    Reply
  4. Sally

    Came over to see if any comments reflected my feelings toward this cold space & glad to see I’m not alone. I feel this is the perfect example of what is wrong with the Australian design scene at the moment, its become about flash with no substance. I am yet to see a Flack project that leaves me inspired. more like all Flack, no substance.

    Reply
  5. Dana Tomić Hughes

    Guys, it’s one thing not to like something, and it’s quite another to be hurtful with your comments.

    What’s most upsetting is not only the fact most of the comments here are negative and nasty, many of the individuals are not even revealing their true identity and/ or are commenting under fake emails, which makes it all feel really spiteful.

    It takes a lot of guts to put yourself out there, so I think we should always be mindful of this, and stop trying to cut other people down. Also, if this is something you wouldn’t say to someone face to face, then don’t comment here or anywhere else. Cyberbullying is completely fucked and won’t be tolerated on Yellowtrace.

    Reply
    • Martin

      I do agree that the comments are negative, though the space IS photographed with very little, to no merchandise which is probably why the ‘cold’ comments are appearing.

      Would be good to see how it looks in use or when they fill the store with merchandise.

      Would be good to see the spaces people are referring to when they say it’s a copy.
      One thing to say it’s a copy, but reference it, otherwise it does just appear spiteful.

      I read all the comments and thought it was a bunch of ‘nobody’ interior designers who are just jealous.

      Reply
  6. Gene

    Congratulations on another brilliant project Flack! Been into the space, love the palette, love the feel, love the respectful treatment of heritage elements, and most of all love the restraint masterfully combined with balls.

    Reply
  7. Nicole

    I absolutely love the space that Flack has created. The colors are sexy and smart. He has a wonderful eye for detail. Can’t wait to see more of his work.

    Reply
  8. Samantha

    Stunning space! Immaculate design and chic colour scheme. Love love love this designer! Can’t wait to see what else he has to offer! So much talent!

    Reply
  9. Sarah

    Not sure how a place can be called cold when the interiors features multiple warm hues of pink, soft linens and velvet! It’s almost as if those commenters didn’t actually look at the images at all…. Flack continue to challenge current interior trends by using conflicting colours and textures together for counterpoint in their design. Each space I have seen of theirs makes the most of negative space and careful editing to leave breathing room around other aspects – the colours, a chair or mirror, a finish, the clients’ products. This takes restraint and consideration. It’s easy to throw things IN to a space to ‘style’ it, much more challenging to hold back. I commend Flack once again for another exceptional and original world class project.

    Reply
  10. Design Community

    I’ve been following the comments on this story with interest. Interior designers take inspiration from a huge variety of sources. As a designer, I think it is almost impossible not to be influenced by the work of others in some way. We are visual people after all! The art of being a designer is to absorb these influences and then create something new from them. Design is constantly evolving, and that’s the beauty of it. For me, I am thrilled to see colour coming back into the Australian design world, and this project uses it well.

    Reply
  11. On my radar #32 – Inattendu

    […] 2.) If I’d open my own concept store one day, the interior would be designed by Flack Studio. I mean how good is their retail interior for the new Monk House Design store? More pictures on Yellowtrace! […]

    Reply
  12. Jess

    David is the most talented interior designer, whose work never disappoints. His keen attention to detail, specific and APPROPRIATE use of colour works in this space so spectacularly. I live for this store spread and I can’t wait to see it in person! Ginger and Smart got flack’d indeed!

    Reply
  13. Mark K

    No one massages egos like people in the rug scattering business…..especially when Christmas is near. You know it, I know it, we all know it.

    Reply
  15. Josh W

    Enough with the bullying comments. It will do you well to remember that there is a human being behind the business, regardless of whatever personal vendetta are trying to serve. Be kind.

    Reply
  16. Store Design: A challenge to all retailers

    […] Monk House Design – a small fashion retailer based in Melbourne, they have 2 physical stores with the latest looking like this. Amazing right? Kudos to Flack Studio who worked with them on the concept that sits beautifully within the heritage building while bringing a sense of fun and modernity to the experience. Read more about it here at YellowTrace. […]

    Reply

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