Spaces
MADE × BuildHer Collective
Using MADE by Laminex to complete their new office, BuildHer Collective was able to transform their space quickly, efficiently and with a personalised style befitting their business.
BuildHer Collective’s Kitchen is a perfect example of showing, not telling. The centrepiece of the space, a tiled island, highlights their community and the flexibility of using MADE by Laminex.
BuildHer Collective’s office in Melbourne’s northeast is a place for keen renovators, DIYers and first-time builders to gather and hear about the industry, the market and how to do it for yourself. Their niche is to help people navigate the process, but also find kindred spirits, ask questions in a safe space and have a little fun along the way.
With a space designed and intended to host courses and workshops, BuildHer Collective sees a lot of people pass through their doors. A kitchen that reflected their style and brand was important, but one that could also keep up with the rigours of their semi-commercial needs was a necessity. Turning to MADE by Laminex, not only were they able to achieve their aesthetic goals and practical needs, but their (very) tight turnaround could be met too.
Cabinetry in Laminex Paper Bark.
Cabinetry and benchtop in Laminex Paper Bark.
Cabinetry and benchtop in Laminex Paper Bark.
“We’re entertaining and hosting all the time, and we wanted to turn this into an event space. That was the important thing. All the base cabinetry was MADE by Laminex and by using this modular system we were able to create room for a double fridge that look like cabinets. We were also able to showcase some of the work of a creator we share the space with,” recalls Rebeka Morgan, BuildHer Collective founder.
Rebeka is speaking of P0ly Designs, a custom and tile furniture company that specialises in “squares and equilateral sides that celebrate the tile.” Taking their signature square, the two businesses worked together on the kitchen, ensuring to make the dimensions of the base cabinetry fit the grid layout of the tiles perfectly; it makes for some very neat edges and corners. The results give the warehouse a comforting café feel, a place you want to sit and talk over the benefits of good planning and design.
Cabinetry in Laminex Paper Bark.
Cabinetry and benchtop in Laminex Paper Bark.
Laminex Paperbark was used on all cabinetry and panels, providing a suitable blank canvas for the warmth of the polished concrete floor and tall, clay-coloured drapes, plus P0ly Design’s gloss sand tile to do their work. It’s a pragmatic, and most of all, apt way for the two businesses to highlight their unique abilities while sharing the space.
The galley section of the kitchen features tall cupboards for a pantry and double fridge, plus drawers and storage – everything a busy workspace might want – and MADE by Laminex flat doors with brushed steel handles. BuildHer Collective met their deadline thanks to some smart choices, but by working with in-stock base cabinetry and an obliging colleague able to tile at the last minute, the kitchen was installed, connected – with a custom tiled benchtop – in under 3 weeks and in time for their event.
“Andy from P0LY Designs tiled the island and then went to hospital to see his baby being born! And we went straight into the function,” laughs Rebeka.
Fitting into the BuildHer Collective ethos, MADE by Laminex echoes the stress-free, clean processes they promote in their workshops and will apply to future projects, making your renovation or build work right from the start. “Knowing how the modules work and how easy it is to make them fit into any space – the important rule was – we were able to plan the order and have a known cost and design.”
Interior Design:
BuildHer Collective
Tiling:
POly Designs
Photography:
Dylan James
Featured products:
Laminex Paper Bark
Joinery: Laminex Paper Bark
Tiles: National Tiles Urban Atelier Camelo Gloss
Curtains: DIY Blinds Sartori Stonewash
Paint: Benjamin Moore Sugar Cookie
