Melanie Katsalidis
Future Histories
Melanie Katsalidis
Melbourne, Victoria
Retail
Completed
Jack Lovel
Top 5 Interiors of 2023, ArchitectureAU
Shortlisted, IDEA Awards 2023, Retail
Shortlisted, AIDA Awards 2023, Retail Design
Finalist, Dulux Colour Awards 2023, Commercial Interior – Workplace & Retail
Melbourne jewellery label, Melanie Katsalidis, has opened its first-ever dedicated retail store in Melbourne’s iconic Royal Arcade.
Working closely with Foolscap Studio, the store design has been inspired by the concept of ‘Future Histories’.
Located beneath the Royal Arcade’s magnificent Gaunt’s Clock, the store has been created by close friends and collaborators, Foolscap Studio, with the brand’s founder and jeweller, Melanie Katsalidis.
An expression of all things precious and covetable, the space is intimate, alluring, and feminine in nature. Filled with pieces to adorn the body and enrich your personal realm, Melanie has curated a treasure trove of handcrafted jewels, as well as intriguing objects and artisanal pieces under her newest offering, MK Home.
‘Future Histories’ reflects Melanie Katsalidis’ devotion to honouring the ancient and precious gems and metals with which she works. Celebrating these very elements, Melanie’s jewellery pieces are crafted in a modern, expressive, architectural style, and destined to form an intimate attachment, or ‘adornment’, with their owner over days, decades and generations.
The store is jewel-like in size, creating an experience of wonder and discovery through its calm, natural material palette, and artfully playful display of pieces.
Foolscap Studio expresses Melanie Katsalidis’ ‘Future Histories’ ethos through the sensitive adaptive reuse of elements from the former space. Calm, natural materials reign throughout, used in rich and refreshing ways: from nude toned fabrics, to custom terrazzo, and custom concrete sculptures which double as display plinths.
Heroing the Handcrafted and Bespoke —
At the centre of the space sits a riveting ripple bench, sheathed in vivid blue upholstery.
Other handmade features include: a custom sculptural pendant light by Melbourne-based designer, Brahman Perera; a collection of hand-cast concrete sculptural objects by Five Mile Radius; and bespoke furniture pieces including a steel base table. All in all, a design that champions locally made, handcrafted furniture and materiality.
Press –
Yellowtrace
The Design Files
Broadsheet
Architecture AU
Archello