Project Backgroud:
'The Clinic' is a collaborative hub of design and media businesses in Newcastle, Australia. It was established thanks to the great initiative Renew Newcastle, that finds empty or neglected commercial spaces and negotiates with the landlords to allow creative businesses to in-habitat the space for a short term lease.
'The Clinitians' consist of stylist Tim Neve, interior designer Tanya Fogarty, online publisher Zac Zavos, graphic designers Neon Zoo and filmaker Stuart McBratney.
We have been tenants for over a year but had done little to improve or beautify our entry - what was once 'The Waiting Room' until now.
On a side note, Stuart now plans to use the revamped space as the backdrop for the next television commercial he directs!
What challenges did you face?
'The Clinic' was in fact that - an old optometrists clinic that featured a maze of consultation rooms that have since been divided into individual studio spaces which works great (every room came with a clinical sink, and some even with vintage eye charts which were actually a nice unique feature!). However the architectural fitout of the space provided plenty of aesthetic challenges - with standard unattractive commercial carpeting throughout, dated lace curtains and a huge (and useless for our purpose) reception desk in the front entry.
Secondly, our collective budget was decided to a very limited $500, so it was time for some smart choices.
The design also had to appease five different businesses owners, meeting each of our own needs. The common thread is that we all produce young, vibrant bodies of work with a smart design sensibility and wanted to reflect that in a novel way.
What was your inspiration of the project?
We wanted to create an inviting lounge and meeting area for clients. The design inspiration was to work within the architectural confines that we had. Things like the dated ceiling panels and vintage stained wood doors throughout were actually suggestive of a 'Mad Men' style office, so stylist Tim Neve came up with a concept to run with this idea, with fellow neighbour and interior expert Tanya offering sound advice to complete. Rather than looking overly 'retro' or themed, we wanted to embrace the original era while using classic design pieces to look contemporary and cool.
First thing to rip out was the reception desk, opening and transforming the space. Secondly, the carpet was lifted to reveal great concrete floors with an imperfect texture we decide to leave matt and raw rather than polished.
Paint changes everything! The pale hospital apricot (ew!) wall tone was revamped with Nippon Paints 'Olive' to create an immediate, noticeable impact. We really wanted to move away from appearing clinical, so this was a great choice.
Warm woods and orange accents complete the scheme. Funky storage cubes in chocolate brown were wall mounted to display an eclectic collection of vintage pottery and glassware (yes, Tim has a vase fetish of late), all sourced on a minimal budget from second hand stores rather than paying premium antique dealer prices.
What was your proudest DIY?
Abby and Clare from Neon Zoo scored an amazing Scandinavian style lounge from a garage sale for only $20, reupholstering the cushions in fabric from IKEA which now makes it a design-classic statement piece.
The low overhanging meeting table pendant was an op-shop buy for $10. Once dusty and beige, it now looks like a designer piece by spray painting the exterior gloss black, and the interior of the dome in vivid orange.
The meeting table was cleverly constructed from one of the clinic's many wood doors, with modular legs attached from IKEA.
What is your favourite element of the finished space?
The streamline Parker style sideboard. A budget of $100 was set aside for this and we were lucky enough to find one at a second hand store for exactly that! Close friends have purchased similar from antique dealers for upwards of $900. This one is in pretty good condition but had a few large scratches on top - quick tip: rather than re-sand and restore, simply draw over the marks with an orange or brown texta then rub with your finger to blend - from an even close distance the scratches have disappeared!
What was your best buy?
Rugs can be expensive, and as the walls feature no artwork we sought out a graphic print floor piece. The best buy was to search online, finding this great design at Factory Fast for around $50. Sure, the quality is more acrylic than plush, but in a commercial environment this suits fine.
The wishbone chairs are replica from a variety store at the unbelievable price of $49 each (see similar at Matt Blatt), while the coffee table was scoped up second hand for a mere $4.
If this all sounds overwhelming like you'd have to travel far and wide to get such bargains, fear not - the entire fitout was completed in under a week, visiting the select amount of stores a regional town like Newcastle has to offer.
Tim has a great blog that has heaps of exciting behind the scenes details of his work, you can visit it here.
Thanks Tim!
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Considering the budget the results are unbelievable. But the architecture of the room looks completely different in the after shots. Where are the large windows in the first picture? I would be interested to see how they addressed the windows.
I'm reaaaaaally suspicious that he was able to do this for anything near $500. I mean, isn't that Parker sideboard? That's 500 easy right there. And the wishbone chairs? Please.
It says right in the article how the sideboard was $100:
"The streamline Parker style sideboard. A budget of $100 was set aside for this and we were lucky enough to find one at a second hand store for exactly that!"
Remember too that this is in Australian Dollars:
$.89 US dollars / $1 AU Dollar
I agree with Comicgeek. I like what Tim has done with the place, but there's no evidence that it even IS the same place. The before shots show the huge windows, while the after shots show the area behind the waiting room. That's evidence of canny photography, not good renovation and design.
I think the right-hand of the 2 large windows is in the 4th photo, but the blind is closed (and I think it's night), so it doesn't look like a window.
Actually, not sure if this is what bepsf meant... but AU$500 is about US$450. Even more impressive.
I completely buy that this cost $500... I've been to Newcastle second-hand stores before, and seen amazing pieces that were priced well below their value. There's a lot to be said for going to second-hand/thrift stores outside capital city limits in Australia.
There's clearly a window in the fourth picture, and logic would have it that they used the light from the windows to take the after pictures, therefore the windows are behind/out of shot.
Are you jealous blandwagon? Shame.
Man, gucci outlet, know your audience.
The advertising bots are getting really bad. I feel for whoever has to moderate comments around here.
Oppressively Mid-Century Modern.
One or two pieces is fantastic, but periodizing a room, no matter how comprehensive, or how filled with amazing pieces it is just makes it feel like a time capsule.
I agree with Julian- this room is so one note. Some good pieces, but too much of one style is boring, which I think this room is. I also find the accessories (especially the cube wall shelves) really dated and out of style.
I wish I could find furniture like that at second hand stores for anything near those prices. I really really do.
Love it!
I would love those who post rather negative comments on these budget redos to back it up with pictures of budget redos of their own.
It it easy to take potshots but much harder to acheive results like these on a pittance.
How much to ship from Australia to NYC?
I need him to come re-do the clubhouse at my condo which has literally not been changed since 1974. Every time we have an HOA meeting I think, new cushion covers, paint and a new carpet would bring this right into the 21st century.
Source for those overhead spot lights that wash the walls with perfect pools of light? Those little lights make a major impact on the feel of the space.
Wow. Really wonderful! Great shopping, I'm so jealous! (I do ok at thrift shope here, but nothing like this!)
The colors seem a little dark to me, but I love the combinations and the overall effect. And the space looks a million times more functional, too! Bravo!
"not sure if this is what bepsf meant... but AU$500 is about US$450. Even more impressive."
Thanks - Exactly my point!
I LOOOOVE the after!!!!
But I'm not seeing the connection between the before and after... where have all the windows gone?
That is possibly the sexiest space I've ever seen!
Dear Alicebot I live in Newcastle and have to say Newey is a regional town with a good selection of second hand furniture suppliers and quite a lot of garage sales - the point being great pieces go for a song because they are often unappreciated here by many. People travel up from Sydney to buy vintage here for that reason, its a 2 hour drive on the F3. We are an ex-steel town but with such a vibrant cultural community. Congrats to Tim, I know this building and its not pretty outside so its interesting to see what he has done with the support of Renew Newcastle. AT, would be good to profile Newcastle as there is a quiet but quirky revolution going on here!
i think it's great, and though I am skeptical it was done for $500... I am sure it's taken into consideration that there were designer discounts and hookups that maybe the rest of us don't have. it's really an incredible transformation, even for $2000!!
mid century loungey. dim lights. I like it- now wheres my martini?
"I think the right-hand of the 2 large windows is in the 4th photo, but the blind is closed (and I think it's night), so it doesn't look like a window."
The windows in the "before" shots are floor-to-ceiling, not to mention wall-to-wall. The window in the "after" shots is neither.
The simple truth is that none of the "after" shots show the same parts of the rooms as the "before" shots.