An Eclectic + Vibrant Indoor Plant Haven On Victoria’s Coast
Arizona Dwelling is the last word indoor plant haven. The Torquay retailer is a singular plant nursery that includes a sea of domestically grown cacti, succulents, and gardening instruments, with the addition of woven baskets from Africa or ceramics from native creatives – and all the things in between!
It’s no shock that each one the staff are eager gardeners and avid plant lovers, too, together with founder and proprietor Libby McLean. The surf coast native grew up in a ‘mad gardening household’ however didn’t discover her ardour for landscaping till she began engaged on the desert-inspired, Palm Springs backyard of her first residence, a mid-century abode in Geelong.
‘I started work on making a backyard with low water wants utilizing a mix of cacti, succulents and natives,’ Libby says.
‘I discovered myself propagating my particular issues usually for pals to make use of as items. I did a few little native markets with planted out handmade concrete painted planters and the seed of a dream to flee my company trend job started.’
Almost eight years on, her aspect hustle has grown right into a flourishing enterprise with a brand new look HQ designed by Emma Mitchell Architects! Once they first moved in 2020, it was a newly constructed, clean canvas with concrete partitions earlier than the renovation turned it into their final workplace and retail area.
‘Emma Mitchell and our builder Norm Chalmers had been superior to work with as a result of once I requested for an upstairs greenhouse the place I might water with a hose indoors, they mentioned “straightforward!”’ Libby provides.
‘We now have a big mezzanine wrapping round an enormous central void within the retail finish of the constructing and a big, divided staircase that encourages you to move in numerous instructions as you progress upstairs. We frequently re-arrange how the fixtures of the shop are laid out to finest show the evolving seasonal inexperienced life we get in.’
Libby’s latest travels to Europe impressed Arizona Dwelling’s daring pink wall, along with discovering a variety of latest, ‘random issues’ for the shop, together with classic rugs from Persia, Afghanistan, and Turkey!
‘The great thing about working a enterprise in Torquay is the unbelievable locals, creatives, manufacturers and artists we get to supply merchandise from,’ Libby notes.
‘My main purpose when I’m doing any design of our area is all the time buyer happiness. I need Arizona Dwelling to be that protected place individuals really feel welcome, snug, relaxed and impressed, someplace they will pop in, to wander by means of and stroll out feeling higher than after they arrived.’