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The Curatoreum’s New(Acton) digs

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The Curatoreum has gained quite a reputation for covetable goods and supporting Australian designers. Now a third store has opened in NewActon.

Juggling three businesses and two children is no small feat, but for husband and wife team Richard Baz and Melanie O’Hanlon it’s all in a day’s work.

The pair has forged a name for gorgeous goods with their book and gift stores known collectively as The Curatoreum. You might recognise their coveted items and friendly faces from their first two stores at The Portrait Gallery and The Arboretum respectively.

Now, the powerhouse duo has opened a third store in the gorgeous NewActon surrounds. Setting up shop (quite literally) on Kendall Lane, the latest store is a culmination of Rich and Melanie’s favourite bits and bobs with Australian designer-makers at the forefront.

Originally opening under the name, ‘Portrait Gallery Store’, The Curatoreum concept has evolved over the years.

“We tried to reproduce what we had at the Portrait Gallery at the Arboretum and quickly found we had to change the market and look at the people coming in,” recounts Richard.

This time around, “we’re tweaking it as we go because it will evolve to be its own space,” he continues.

The space itself leans into the building’s heritage influences, capitalising on the abundance of natural light that streams through the stunning sash windows and wooden floorboards underfoot.

As expected, the fit out is carefully considered, with attention to detail evident throughout. Bright Moroccan lino from coveted Australian designer Bonnie and Neil lines the entryway, enticing shoppers to journey further into the treasure trove of quirky and contemporary goods. Vintage tables are laden with expertly-selected products from the nation’s innovative makers and shakers, and a wall stacked with sought-after titles commands attention.

On the shelves, Mel says, “it’s what people would expect to see from us in that it’s still supporting Australian designers and makers but it’s really quite an eclectic mix”.

The Kendall Lane locale stocks a curated range of books, gifts and wares.  While its sister-stores have catered to a largely tourist-based clientele in line with their respective tenancies, the new store is designed with Canberrans in mind and features a sincerely personal touch.

“This is really a shared space of Rich and I, it’s our edit, it’s the store that we put together with the complete freedom to be able to”.

“What we’re trying to do in the third store is combine the best of both [stores],” Rich agrees.

“It’s designed to grow and it’s designed to reflect the best stuff that we have at the Arboretum and the best stuff we have at the Portrait Gallery—really lovely books, really lovely gifts, all celebrating Australian designed and made.”

The couple’s shared passion lies in showcasing wonderful design and stocking the shelves with hard-to-find and obscure titles and this remains at the heart of their third store.

“I love putting together shops together, I love curating all of the items that go into them and choosing what should go into this new store,” says Mel. “It’s great fun, it’s so exciting”.

As for the future, she says, “we’re very responsive to what’s out there, what’s happening and what people like, and what we are also feeling and what we’re excited about”.

“People are now discovering us more and they’re very complimentary,” Rich continues. “For us, we still want to have more things in here, which will happen over the next few weeks”.

the essentials

What: The Curatoreum at Kendall Lane
Where: 3 Kendall Lane, New Acton
When: Monday – Thursday: 9.30 am – 5.30 pm / Friday & Saturday: 9.30 am – 6.30 pm / Sunday: 10.00 am – 3.00 pm
Website: thecuratoreum.com

Images: Tim Bean Photography

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