An enduring business relationship between designer and supplier has resulted in a warm retail offering in Sydney’s east
January 22nd, 2013
As one of Australia’s specialist sources for high-end tapware, bathroomware and accessories, The English Tapware Company (TETC) has strategically positioned its Sydney operations in the affluent Eastern Sydney suburb of Woollahra.
With the breadth of use for their product collections spanning contemporary, classic and heritage projects, Managing Director of the brand Stephan Marshall outlines the primary consideration in “setting up shop” in such a residential precinct in Sydney:
“The design community sought our presence in Sydney to enable them and their clients to view and select from our large range of products with the assistance of knowledgeable sales people. We required this showroom to showcase our products in a setting which did not express a particular architectural style.”
Having worked closely, as supplier, with the award winning team at Hecker Guthrie on many projects, it was a natural fit for TETC to employ Hecker Guthrie’s skills in realising a space that would enhanced the product without outshining it.
“The journey from concept to completion was one where we took time out from our everyday activities and shared in the process. As Project Manager, I effectively put myself in the shoes of our clients as I researched and sourced products specified in the design,” explains Marshall “In doing so, I experienced first hand the vast differences in supply and service within building and design industries.”
Having a sound understanding of TETC as a brand and business, the Hecker Guthrie design team embraced their advantage creating a space that celebrates the product, effortlessly.
“We felt the interior should take on a ‘modern English feel,” explains Hecker Guthrie’s Simone Haag ‘…and portray a high level of quality and refinement to reflect the essence of The English Tapware Company brands on display. It was important to provide a space that [had] a point of difference from the typical offer.”
In true Hecker Guthrie style, the space exudes a familiarity, a warmth that riffs on the “personal, meet and greet” ambiance that the client wished to convey.
With a strong focus on materiality; warm copper highlights, white marble and oak timbers, the space is pared back, void of brash visual statements.
“My favourite interior features are the theatrical style ‘stage’ in the front window and the Inga Sempe designed Wastberg lamps dropping their light over the tongue and groove panelling behind the steel-framed sales desks.” Explains TETC’s Stephan Marshall, “I like honesty in design and materials… there is something special about this combination.”
Hecker Guthrie
The English Tapware Company
Images © Katherine Lu + Hecker Guthrie
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