Kate Stokes and Haslett Grounds

SUCH A goody today, people!

This is the gorgeous Fitzroy apartment of Kate Stokes (of local design studio of Coco Flip), her husband Haslett Grounds (an architect, of Grounds Architecture, who also runs Kate’s business with her) and their four month old daughter Mariko (aka ‘Kiko’!). Perched high above the shopfronts on Gertrude st in Fitzroy, their spacious inner city apartment is pretty special.

Written

Lucy Feagins

Supported by Dulux

Loungeroom. ‘Pigmelon’ artwork by Joel Wynn Rees, kilim rug from Loom, Puku ottomans & Bucket coffee table by Coco Flip, lounge from Grandfather’s Axe, Safari Chairs by Michael Hirst that belonged to Haslett’s grandparents. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The incredible Fitroy apartment of Kate Stokes of Coco Flip, Haslett Grounds and their baby daughter Mariko (also known as ‘Kiko’!). Kilim rug from Loom, hanging sculpture by Sophie Moorhouse Morris, weaving by Hanne Ibec, Bucket coffee table and Puku ottomans by Coco Flip, lounge from Grandfather’s Axe, floor cushion from Camberwell Markets, Cacti floor stand from Mr Kitly, sideboard made with friends from Archier. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Loungeroom details. ‘Themis’ mobile by Clara Von Zweigbergk, artwork by Sophie Moorhouse Morris, weaving by Hanne Ibach, who uses rope collected from WA beaches, Micheal Hirst Safari Chair, kilim rug from Loom. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kate, Haslett and little Mariko in their Fitzroy apartment. The happiest, most relaxed and photogenic little family ever! (Sean took this gorgeous family portrait in just one take!). Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Kitchen with amazing indoor jungle! ‘You can never have too many plants!’ says Kate. Oak dining table & chairs from Grandfather’s Axe, hanging sculpture by Sophie Moorhouse Morris. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Mariko’s little cubby house room built in a corner of the lounge room by Haslett. Poster from Third Drawer Down, blanket on bed in foreground by Uimi. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Master bedroom. Bed from Mark Tuckey, bed linen by Scholten & Baijings, little red lamp from Camberwell Market. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Inside Mariko’s room – chair from Grandfather’s Axe, Ikea rug, Leander cot, stars made by Sophie Moorhouse Morris. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

The roof terrace overlooking the city. Photo – Sean Fennessy, production – Lucy Feagins / The Design Files.

Writer

Lucy Feagins

10th of March 2015

Designer Kate Stokes and her architect husband Haslett Grounds have been living in their bright and enviably spacious Fitzroy apartment for just one year. They’re renting, so haven’t made any permanent changes – though when they found out they were expecting, they did build a mini cubby-house inspired bedroom for Kiko in the living space! (Genius!). They’ve also softened the space with the most impressive collection of indoor plants – it makes such a difference in a lofty space like this!

As is evident in these pics, despite having only one bedroom, Kate and Haslett’s apartment is of rather EPIC proportions. The building is a beautifully converted multi-level Victorian warehouse, designed by respected local architecture firm Kerstin Thompson Architecture in 1996. The resulting layout is a generous open plan design which optimises natural light and city views, and provides the perfect backdrop for Kate and Haslett’s pared back, scandi-inspired interior elements, and that incredible indoor jungle.

Amongst treasured furniture pieces from Grandfather’s Axe and Kate’s own studio Coco Flip, and a much loved rug from Loom, the space is also dotted with artworks and handcrafted elements by the couples’ many creative friends. Favourite pieces include the hanging woven sculpture by their friend Sophie Moorhouse Morris, as well as the Safari chairs by Australian furniture designer Michael Hirst, which were inherited from Haslett’s grandparents. The rope weaving on the wall in the lounge room is another treasured piece by the couple’s Danish friend Hanne Ibach – a gift for their wedding. ‘Hanne collects all of the rope she weaves from on beaches in Western Australia’ says Kate.

Both Kate and Haslett are originally from Perth, thought they’re very much permanent fixtures of Melbourne’s Northside now! With Kate’s business based in Collingwood, and a new bub at home, the central location suits them perfectly. They love a morning stroll down Gertrude street with Kiko in tow, and they can’t get enough of the incredible views from their rooftop, across Fitzroy and the city. ‘We especially love waking up to the sunrise and watching the hot air balloons drifting by overhead’ says Kate.