Australian-born, globally-recognised rug brand open their first Melbourne outpost in a converted Fitzroy warehouse.
has teamed up once again with multidisciplinary practice to design their contemporary Melbourne home, following the brand’s inaugural Australian showroom in Surry Hills, Sydney. The Fitzroy base marks Armadillo’s sixth dedicated retail space, with showrooms in San Francisco, Los Angeles, New York and Brisbane.
This time, Armadillo took over a red-brick heritage warehouse steeped in design history, formerly used to produce pieces for a local furniture store from the early 1900s. Studio Goss have captured the brand’s essence through a complementary material palette to their Sydney showroom, layering zellige, concrete and oak with matte black accents, creating a gallery-like space to spotlight the handcrafted rugs. The best part? The Melbourne showroom is open from Monday to Saturday with no appointment necessary, ready to welcome designers and design aficionados alike to experience the serene space.
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An olive-green soaks up the sun with the newly launched at the front of the showroom.
The original building’s roots are celebrated through materials that reflect the industrial nature of the site, including a wall of handmade zellige tiles, oak panels and natural cork.
Stepping inside the light-filled warehouse is instantly calming, an atmosphere that Armadillo co-founder Jodie Fried was adamant about creating. “We wanted to conjure a refined aesthetic that also made for a compelling contrast against the raw materials of the original facade,” Jodie adds.
The traditional rug retail experience has been flipped on its head inside Armadillo Melbourne, where rugs are displayed in garment-sized samples on a single rail, evoking the experience of a high-end fashion boutique. Customers can peruse through the rugs at their own pace while taking in the colour, texture and tactility in front of the oak-panelled wall.
The former factory is tucked off a bustling thoroughfare in Melbourne’s inner north; a site chosen for its industrial past and thriving art and design community.
David Goss explains it was important to celebrate the original building’s roots through materials that reflect the industrial nature of the site, including handmade zellige tiles and natural cork. “During the design process, we tried to keep as much of the heritage fabric visible as possible, but at the same time create a more contemporary layer that represents where Fitzroy is now,” David adds. For example, exposed ceiling beams, white bagged brick walls and polished concrete floors evoke characteristics of a residential warehouse conversion and pay homage to the shell of the building.
Experience the new Armadillo Melbourne showroom located at 102 Charles St, Fitzroy, open Monday to Friday 9.30am – 5pm and Saturdays 10am – 4pm.
“Over the years we’ve been lucky to collaborate with leading-lights in the Melbourne design community and it feels important to have an equally inspiring space to house our collection and continue building these relationships.”
– Armadillo co-founder Sally Pottharst
The and are included in the lineup of esteemed design pieces on display.
Rugs are displayed in garment-sized samples on a single rail, reminiscent of a high-end fashion boutique.
The red-brick heritage warehouse is steeped in design history, formerly used to produce pieces for a local furniture store from the early 1900s.
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