As coveted as loft living is, converted warehouses don’t always make for the best floor plans. Take this former shoe factory in Fitzroy North—a ’90s renovation made it livable, but left some “random geometry” behind, says WOWOWA Architecture.

Through its work, WOWOWA Architecture believes in celebrating Australian culture—including its kitsch and “a love of daffy colloquialisms.” The firm says that its “colorful, contextual, and socially sustainable ‘forever homes’ are for design-savvy professionals who know life’s too short for boring spaces.”

In 2018, they drew from a unique source of inspiration—a vintage Women’s Weekly cookbook (the cake special)—to imbue this three-story home with more storage and playful spirit.

Now, light-toned wood flooring and custom built-in shelving offset surprises elsewhere—such as the curving pink upholstery in the living room, a kitchen counter that recalls the swirls of cake batter, and a moody terra-cotta-toned utility corridor.

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The existing brick walls inspired much of the prevailing palette, including reds, pinks, tans, mustards, browns, and copper. In the kitchen, the colors and textures all come together via shiny copper cabinetry, the thick swirl-patterned stone of the island top, and the pink marble backsplash. “The yummy island sitting on circular lolly feet brings joy and love to the family’s most used space,” says the firm.

Behind the kitchen, a 26-foot-long utility corridor tucks a bar, sink, pantry, laundry, and drying room out of sight from the main living spaces.

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Project Credits:

Architect of Record: WOWOWA Architecture / @wowowaarch

Builder: Moon Building Group

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A Home in a Former Shoe Factory Gets an Overhaul Inspired by a Vintage Cookbook