Upcycled warehouse

Upcycled warehouse | Milkbottle

Upcycled warehouse

Patti and David Southern own Retro on Regent, a mid-century and industrial collectables store in Redfern, Australia. David is also a firefighter with the Newtown Fire Brigade. In 2011 they bought a run down, three level bulky goods warehouse building in St. Peters, Sydney, and have been converting it into a family home ever since. They live here with daughters Poppy and Bella and their pet Jack Russell, Chili.

Patti Southern has been a trader of industrial, mid century and generally charming objects for over a decade. During this time, she and her firefighter husband, David, have lived in Sydney’s inner west, a vibrant and creative hub, dreaming about one day owning and converting a warehouse building to call home. The attraction of a warehouse building has been the dream of having enough space for family life plus space to warehouse and display their treasure trove of collectable objects.

“The kitchen on the second floor is still basically the original melamine office kitchenette, but guests are often so distracted by the Spaghetti sign and 60s Tomado shelving that they don’t really notice that!” says Patti.

Industrial lockers, Indian embroidered textiles, raffia carry bags, ceramic figurines and retro portrait prints of children are some of her naturally collected objects that she displays handsomely.

left “The kitchen on the second floor is still basically the original melamine office kitchenette, but guests are often so distracted by the Spaghetti sign and 60s Tomado shelving that they don’t really notice that!” says Patti.

right Industrial lockers, Indian embroidered textiles, raffia carry bags, ceramic figurines and retro portrait prints of children are some of her naturally collected objects that she displays handsomely.

The huge amount of space in this home has allowed Patty to do something she loves – create still life displays at every turn. Many pieces she has “saved” for years, until now.