Inside the old industrial warehouse converted into a Balinese-inspired city sanctuary

Inside the old industrial warehouse converted into a Balinese-inspired city sanctuary – complete with a sprawling open-plan living space, a quiet garden retreat and a sleek kitchen that’s every chef’s dream

  • The restaurateur couple behind two of Melbourne’s trendiest eateries are selling their equally funky house 
  • Sway Quach and Dougal Colam are the brains behind inner-north restaurants Tom Phat and Bhang 
  • Businesswoman and chef bought their laneway pad in 2015 when it was the ‘worst house on the best street’
  • The former industrial warehouse has been transformed with vaulted timber ceilings and clerestory windows

Advertisement

The restaurateur couple behind two of Melbourne’s trendiest eateries are selling their equally funky home which started life as an industrial warehouse.

Businesswoman Sway Quach and chef Dougal Colam, co-owners and designers of inner-north restaurants Tom Phat and Bhang, bought their laneway pad in Melbourne’s north back in 2015 when it was the ‘worst house on the best street’.

The duo used their creative flair to transform the space seven minutes’ drive from the CBD into an Asian-inspired sanctuary with vaulted timber ceilings and clerestory windows, an ancient Egyptian architectural technique that positions rows of narrow windows above eye level to make the interior feel larger than its actual floor size.

This grungy looking building started life as a warehouse, but it has been transformed into a Balinese-inspired home

The 'city oasis' (pictured) is currently owned by restaurateur couple, Sway Quach and Dougal Colum

The ‘city oasis’ (pictured) is currently owned by restaurateur couple, Sway Quach and Dougal Colum

The duo used their creative flair to transform the space seven minutes' drive from the CBD into a quirky home

The duo used their creative flair to transform the space seven minutes’ drive from the CBD into a quirky home

The house is centred around a sprawling open-plan living, kitchen and dining area, with three sunlit bedrooms including a master ensuite overlooking a large terrace with built-in seating in the garden courtyard below.

There’s also a study, ideal for use as a home office, and private garage with space for one car.

Ms Quach told realestate.com.au she had a gut feeling the laneway was going to ‘take off’.

The house has a large terrace with built-in seating in the garden courtyard

The house has a large terrace with built-in seating in the garden courtyard

The bedrooms are fitted with clerestory windows, an ancient Egyptian architectural technique that positions rows of narrow windows above eye level to make the interior feel larger than its actual floor size

The bedrooms are fitted with clerestory windows, an ancient Egyptian architectural technique that positions rows of narrow windows above eye level to make the interior feel larger than its actual floor size

Vaulted timber ceilings soar above the open-plan kitchen and living area

Vaulted timber ceilings soar above the open-plan kitchen and living area

The converted warehouse hit the market on July 18 with a price guide of $1.8million to $1.98million (AUD), with Simon Curtain of realtor Abercromby’s Armadale overseeing the sale.

Mr Curtain described the property as the’ epitome’ of a stylish city home.

‘It’s quintessential, cosmopolitan Melbourne wrapped up – industrial origins, groovy cafes, and laneways,’ he told Daily Mail Australia.

The bathrooms have mosaic-tiled showers

And sunken bathtubs

The bathrooms have mosaic-tiled showers (left) and sunken bathtubs (right)

The converted warehouse hit the market on July 18 with a price guide of $1.8million to $1.98million (AUD)

The converted warehouse hit the market on July 18 with a price guide of $1.8million to $1.98million (AUD)

Listing agent Simon Curtain described the property as the' epitome' of a stylish city home

Listing agent Simon Curtain described the property as the’ epitome’ of a stylish city home

Mr Curtain said the owners struck a difficult balance by retaining much of the original building’s character and identity while transforming it into a modern oasis.

He said he has seen ‘keen interest’ from a wide range of prospective buyers since the house hit the market earlier this month.

Sway Quach and Dougal Colam’s laneway house is set to sell under the hammer at a private auction on Monday, August 9.

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk