Located in bayside Melbourne, Keys + Pockets is home to a young family of five who were eager to make the space their own.
Building upon the interiors and architecture by Kiril Architects, Melbourne-based design practice Without Studio was engaged for furniture procurement and art curation. The result of their work is a characterful space that strikes a balance between playfulness and functionality.
“The focus on play, puzzles and games was a story interwoven throughout the whole project,” Without Studio creative director Sarah Shinners says. “Our client wanted it to be fun, highly tactile and interactive while having different moments that could be experienced either as an individual, couple, family, adult or child,” she adds.
The Grazia & Co Summer swivel chair on the outdoor patio.
The dining area features HAY dining chairs.
Naming the project after the keys and pockets of a jigsaw puzzle, the Without Studio founders Sarah Shinners and Mel Hasic were driven to challenge pre-conceived notions of what interiors should look like. To that end, a vast majority of pieces in the home were custom-designed and commissioned by local artists and makers, including the Soft Love entry bench by Daniel Emma, Agent 86 sofa by grazia&co, and the striking Puzzle table by Christopher Blank, which has four leaf-like sections that fold out to host either a large group of people or a giant puzzle —depending on the mood.
“Although some incredible proprietary furniture pieces are available, we feel that the best way to truly provide clients with the unique experience aligned with a high-end property is to create one-of-a-kind, custom items in collaboration with the end user,” Shinners shares.
In the living room, a custom Agent 86 sofa in Carlucci Gentleman colour by grazia&co, Harvey Swivel armchair and Harvey Ottoman footstool, as well as a custom floor lamp by Lost Profile, a custom timber coffee table by Christopher Blank and a series of rugs by Cadrys.
In their approach, the studio developed three central themes to build upon and come back to when making design choices: playfulness, lighting, and textiles. “All these themes required hands-on collaboration and execution with Australian makers,” Without Studio creative director Mel Hasic says.
Incorporating the notion of ‘play’, Mornington-based furniture maker Christopher Blank custom-designed a mirror in the entryway, echoing the leaf-folding feature of its sibling piece, the Puzzle table. Alongside it, a Sozou light with metal tassels invites guests to run their fingers through it as they walk in and out of the home.
With the exception of the Novel Chair in the library and the dining chairs that feature in a house fabric, Without Studio worked closely with the homeowners to carefully curate all interior furnishings and fabrics throughout — including three custom rugs, which Hasic says “were a joy to develop”.
The theme of lighting is celebrated in custom pieces such as the large arched floor lamp by Lost Profile Studio, constructed from beaten and aged brass, local bluestone, and cage-blown glass. It cantilevers two meters out to offer some light above a patchwork block table in the reading nook.
“The outcome is a layered, playful, functional and sometimes even kinetic space,” Hasic reflects. “We’re thrilled to have been part of such an impactful project that will the family into a new stage of their lives,” she adds.
The sitting room, known as ‘Claire’s Library’, features a custom Puzzle table by Christopher Blank, design chairs by Fogia, the Novel chair by Friends and Founders, and a Nicolas & Alistair Vintage armchair.
Upon arrival, guests are greeted with a custom Soft Love bench by Daniel Emma, the Meguri wall light in Brushed Nickel by Sozou and a contemporary adjustable wall mirror by Filippo Caradini.
The Nemo Lampe De Marseille wall lamp.
The playful study features the Tribe Home Astor rug and Normann Copenhagen stools.
