Scandinavian DIY Apartment Revives Former Fitzroy Warehouse

By Samantha Price 16/08/2026 3 min read 26 views

Sarah Godden and Mike Trappett have turned a former Fitzroy warehouse into a DIY apartment, showcasing a blend of vintage finds and self‑made furniture while keeping costs low.

From an 1880s factory to a family loft

The space, originally part of the 1880s Acme Shirt Factory, was listed in mid‑2024 but dismissed by Godden because of “terrible photos.” When their lease ended early in 2025, the couple revisited the listing and were drawn to the high ceilings, exposed beams and metal factory windows. “It had always been our dream to turn a warehouse space into a loft‑style home to live and work in,” she said.

After signing a lease, they approached the renovation like a film set, using detailed plans, mock‑ups and strict timelines. Their first task was to make the former art‑therapy institute livable within six weeks. They removed office partitions, stripped plasterboard around the bathroom, ripped up carpet and opted for a self‑levelling concrete floor that they painted, after deciding polished concrete was beyond the budget.

Two small cubicle toilets were reconfigured into a separate toilet and shower. The couple moved in and used a modest kitchenette, separated by clothing racks, as their cooking area while they continued to remodel.

Creative use of materials

Inspired by a house in St Andrews Beach that used Twinwall polycarbonate roofing, they built internal “walls” for bedroom and bathroom pods from clear polycarbonate, leaving the protective film on one side for privacy. Timber framing salvaged from office partitions formed the skeleton of these pods, requiring only a single new length of timber to finish the structure. “Mike even reused the screws and nails,” Godden noted.

The kitchen, assembled from items found on Facebook Marketplace, stayed under $8,000. It includes an oven, cooktop, sink, tiles, lighting and tapware. A custom stainless‑steel sheet, cut to size with two bends and transported in the back of a GoGet van, was glued to an island bench built from Ikea cabinets. “It’s probably our favourite thing we did, though I was so stressed through the whole process,” she said, adding that she cried when it finally worked.

Trappett’s growing skill set extended to furniture design. He crafted a plywood dining table and chairs inspired by Donald Judd. The living‑room lamp, a curved wall fixture, was made from steel conduit purchased at Bunnings and topped with a vintage glass shade sourced by Godden. The couple also created kitchen sconces from scallop shells obtained at a local fishmonger.

The finished interior feels at home with a minimalist aesthetic, carefully chosen accent pieces and a loft‑like atmosphere that respects the building’s industrial origins.

The project relied heavily on reuse and DIY ingenuity, yet the decision‑making was demanding, requiring them to balance budget, timing, design, livability and material availability.

The loft feels lived‑in.

Personal touches and lasting impact

Godden’s vintage furniture selections and Trappett’s handcrafted pieces give the home a warm, welcoming feel despite its raw, industrial roots. Their commitment to using what was already present, rather than importing new elements, reflects a desire for sustainability and timeless design. “It was a real joy to focus on what was originally here and build from there, to honour it,” she said.

Both acknowledge that professional guidance would have eased many choices, but they learned through trial and error. Their story, originally featured in a design magazine, illustrates how a tight budget and clear vision can produce a distinctive living space without compromising on style.