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| Warehouse living |
| Owners of a stunning warehouse give their tips on decorating and how to keep household costs down. |
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It is easy to romanticise about living in a converted warehouse. Its large open plan certainly has appeal. But, big spaces mean big expenses. The rules for furnishing and decorating a standard home do not necessarily apply to a warehouse. Henry and Nina Crawford, the owners of this stunning two level warehouse give Rebecca tips on decorating and some advice to keep general household running costs down.
A general rule for warehouse living is that you need more of everything. Big spaces require big furniture and accessories. When buying a warehouse, do not expect to fill the living area with a standard three-seater lounge. In this case, the Crawfords had an L-shaped Banco lounge custom-made to run the length of a wall and back again. The Banco is the width of a single bed and has drawers underneath. Finding items big enough can be problem - the couple have been searching for a rug wide enough for the hall.
Fittings are important too. Mirrors have been used in the Crawford's kitchen area to reflect and create extra light. The mirrors also help to bring the conservatory area into the kitchen/dining area.
According to the Crawfords, very large pictures or lots of smaller ones should be hung on any given wall. In their case, the Nina and Henry are lucky enough to have many large artworks.
Big spaces can mean big heating bills. Insulation is generally a "must do" as it helps with temperature control and sound proofing between floors. The Crawford's warehouse is insulated and they have worked out, through trial and error, the most cost-effective way of keeping warm. The conservatory/pool area is closed off and gas heaters and an open fire are used for heating. Rugs have been used on the polished floorboards to create warmth. Rugs also help to keep noise levels down.
Hard floors and ceilings can mean lots of clatter. It is a good idea to use sound proofing materials. This particular warehouse can echo a little, but it is not enough to be a problem.
There is no air conditioning in the living areas/top floor of the warehouse. Instead, ten ceiling fans are used to circulate air throughout the warehouse. They are Hunter Fans from the US, which are particularly quiet. They are a feature too — adding to the warehouse's rustic theme.
The huge wall spaces in the warehouse mean there is a tendency for rooms to look and feel cold. To alleviate this warm colours have been chosen for the walls including red, sand and green to ensure all rooms are warm and welcoming.
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More Info
Crawford Communications Corporate & Strategic
Nina Crawford, Director
Ph: 02 9664 3210
Fax: 02 9665 9865
Website: www.crawfordcom.com
Vatulele Island Resort
Ph: 029665 8700
Fax: 02 9665 7833
Website: www.vatulele.com
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Disclaimer
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