Set foot inside the new inner-city Melbourne showroom space for Cosh Living by Australian designer Justin Hutchinson.
As curators of some of the most prestigious designer furniture from around the world, and with a focus on including quality modern Australian design, Cosh Living has recently unveiled its new showroom space situated in the heart of Melbourne’s design district of Richmond.
We were invited on a guided tour through Cosh Living’s new home, occupying level six and the prestigious rooftop position at 600 Church Street. Fortunate to sit down with co-director Colin Kupke, we spoke through the concept behind the collaborative design and the process behind the big move.
Produced in partnership with Cosh Living
Founded in 2007 by Colin Kupke and Shane Sinnott, Cosh Living has a reputation for representing some of the world’s leading outdoor furniture brands. With a formidable roll-call of brand names under the Cosh umbrella, Colin says they have four of the top global outdoor furniture brands in the world exclusively showcased on Australian shores; Tribù, Dedon, Gloster and Manutti.
Fast forward nine years, it seemed only fitting for the pair to expand their offering to quality indoor furniture. Colin and Shane made the decision to engage well-known and multi-talented Australian designer Justin Hutchinson to lead their very own in-house brand; Kett. Hutchinson’s collaborative process with Cosh Living over the years has been foundational in developing a collection that speaks to the contemporary Australian lifestyle. “Shane and Colin are both heavily involved in the process and have an incredible appreciation and enthusiasm for the product they have in their showroom,” Justin says.
The Kett range highlights the elegant lines, understated simplicity, and practical comfort detailed throughout Cosh Living’s portfolio. While Kett quickly became a principal player within the Cosh Living range, Italian indoor furniture manufactures Potocco were also added to the global indoor mix.
Thirteen years on and unsurprisingly, Cosh Living have outgrown their previous Collingwood space. In a mutual decision, Colin and Shane turned to Kett designer Justin Hutchinson to design their new retail space. A trained industrial designer and armed with an exceptional eye for spatial design, Justin’s symbiotic relationship with Cosh Living was a natural fit. Justin was the perfect designer for the job at hand, with a respected understanding of Cosh Living’s journey so far and their vision for the future.
A reflection of the Cosh Living brand and philosophy, the landmark exterior of 600 Church Street was expertly designed by local Architecture studio Wood Marsh Architecture and exhibits impressive views that capture Melbourne in every direction. “Part of our design brief was to encapsulate this central idea we nurtured of being inside, looking out,” Colin says. This idea talks to how the views and interior coincide in harmony, creating the perfect urban, modern Australian backdrop to their new loft-like home inside.
With a warm, inviting interior palette featuring soft ambient lighting from Rakumba throughout each space, Hutchinson has successfully designed a residential feel whereby different zones within the large, open space unfold around a central, working Cantilever kitchen. The different branded zones are discreetly distinguished through a change in materials underfoot; from polished concrete to timber boards. Powder-coated steel-framed glass doors also create further division while allowing a seamless, visual transition through each zone.
Paramount to the new showroom space was Colin and Shane’s mutual desire to welcome guests off the street within the busy design precinct as well as scheduled appointments with their design industry peers. “We wanted to position our new space as a destination store. One where our architecture and design customers can bring their clients for an in-house coffee within our comfortable, luxurious – yet discreet space,” Colin says. “We wanted our new space to feel like an immersive experience into the furniture that we take so much pride in offering”.
An extension of the Cosh living brand, 600 Church Street is evidence that great minds think alike; Cosh Living and Justin Hutchinson have together, elegantly articulated a vision that emphasises Cosh Living’s celebration of local and global craftsmanship in contemporary design.
