Artist Lee Woodman opens the doors to his gritty inner-city warehouse home – a spacious, light-filled loft that doubles as studio and gallery, shaped by found objects, patience, and an appreciation for plants, art, and unconventional living.
Photos: Tessa Claus
The story
My home is a warehouse within the city fringe on Vanguard St, I have lived here for 10 years and currently share it with my two kittens, Bo and Screech.
My partner at the time saw this building go from ‘for lease’ to ‘for sale’, and as we were looking for something unconventional that provided living as well as art studio space, we instantly knew this would be perfect. Because of the nature of the building, no bank would lend us the money to buy it, even though they agreed it was a good investment. As a last resort we approached the local company Fico finance and with their help we were able to purchase it.
In four words
Spacious, loft, inspiring, gritty.
Inspiration
The building itself inspired this look, I haven’t done much to it apart from populated it with stuff I had and art pieces I’ve made, and leaned into the inner-city warehouse loft vibe.
Decorating style
Eclectic, found object, art object and artefacts, retro/vintage, humble and homely, organic.
Where I shop
Op shops, second hand stores, vintage stores and the rubbish dump.
Save or splurge?
I normally just save, I try to find things that would work in the space and simply wait for them to come along. I do the op shop rounds regularly, and keep an eye on places like Facebook Marketplace.
The one splurge was the red velvet curtain separating the gallery and studio downstairs, that was the single most expensive item in the house. I believe when you need something bespoke and it sets a tone because of its place in the house, then spending good money is wise. Everything else can fit in around and alongside it.
Renovations
I have built a gallery downstairs, pulled out an office area upstairs, removed an old lift, built a shower, painted some areas, otherwise it is as it was when we brought it.
Next on the list
A heat pump to help stay warm in winter! Also, long-term I’m looking out for a stylish dresser for my bedroom.
Favourite spots
Morning chair at the front window, or coffee up on the roof.
If money was no object what would you get for your home?
Insulation.
Every home should have...
House plants
If given a day to refresh...
I would go pick flowers or some greenery and place them around.
Something I'd change
More opening windows, they are mostly fixed panes upstairs which makes the place hot in the summer, I keep one window part removed so it lets in air at the bottom, it stays like this year-round.
Best decorating tip
Take some time to try different things and sit with them and also keep things changing.
Biggest regret
Not fixing the broken things as fast as I imagined I would.
Favourite household chore
Watering the houseplants.
Best piece of advice
Go to a finance company to buy your house if the bank won’t lend you the money.
The neighbourhood
I love that it’s surrounded with commercial activity, a church, the supermarket, it keeps things busy during the day, yet quiet at night. Walking down to the Maitai river and then the boat marina is a great wee stroll.
Favourite local eatery
The hospitality school every Thursday, at the front where Tozzetti’s used to be.
Best memory
Hosting three performance artists for a gig and building a set out the upstairs window using planks and art structures spilling onto the front yard for a one-off performance.
