Lifestyle - Cowper Residences

FOOTSCRAY’S HIPPEST MAKERS AND CREATORS

A well-established artisan vibe and a long held sense of community collaboration have made Footscray a natural cocoon for new ideas and cutting edge design. Here, some of Melbourne’s most artistic adventurers have cultivated a hip, urban hub whose influence extends way beyond its inner west neighbourhood.

Yellow Diva

Furniture Designer

Melbourne’s Yellow Diva design studio, founded by David Walley and partnered by Creative Director Felicity Joll, has expanded from its urban London roots to establish a niche position in a local and global market. Pitching a unique offering of inspired, bold designs, spanning commercial and residential furniture, lighting and accessories, the studio attracts a diverse and creative clientele. The studio in Footscray has built a reputation for innovation and quality, founded on trusted relationships with skilled craftspeople and manufacturers. It remains committed to a culture of authenticity, creativity, collaboration, local production and environmental best practice.

www.yellowdiva.com

Hop Nation

Micro Brewery

Hop Nation is a Footscray-based craft brewery owned and operated by good friends - and former winemakers - Sam Hambour and Duncan Gibson. After jumping the fence from winemaking into brewing back in 2014, the pair opened their brewery and tap room in July of 2016 to join the burgeoning westside beer and culinary landscape. Since then, the guys have been living up to their brewery’s namesake releasing several hop-driven beers, showcasing highquality ingredients with distinct origins. Nod to their winemaking roots was also inevitable and Sam and Duncan have no shortage of barrel-aged brews in the works. Their small batch beers are made using no fining or pasteurization and minimal filtration.

www.hopnation.com.au

Arjuna Watson

Artist / Painter

Arjuna was introduced to Australian social realism of the 1920’s to 1970’s when he was an understudy, with his favourite Australian artists at the time being Arthur Boyd and Victor O’Connor. Russian social realism, and the impressionist painters of that era also had a big impact on him. Having always been drawn to graffiti, large scale paintings and pop culture, Arjuna wanted to convert social realism into a more modern context that wasn’t so sad. Using what he knew, and what he was drawn to, Arjuna created a style he calls “urban realism”. For him, the “ism’s” are important and are part of the process. His preference is to paint in enamel and oils on large scale canvas, sometimes using stencils for text. He enjoys using text as well as form and figure, however especially enjoys painting portraits. After a 20-year apprenticeship in the Caribbean, and now returning to Fooßtscray, perhaps this “jack of all” can finally be called a master.

www.decypul.com

BOTANICALS ON BARKLY

FLORIST

Botanicals on Barkly are artisans of floral display, creating organic masterpieces from their warm and subdued shop on Barkly Street at the heart of Footscray. Taking inspiration from the artistic and multicultural character of the suburb and surrounds, owner Adrienne Burford-Orr leads the team in providing seasonal floral arrangements for weddings, events and corporate functions. Exploring all avenues, Botanicals on Barkly are known to use anything organic from classic roses to hipster kale for an interesting touch of difference in their bouquets. Striving to make a difference in this blossoming art and designer precinct of the inner west, this artisan team provides a new take on what it means to be an artist.

www.botanicalsonbarkly.com.au

WATERWAYS, PARKWAYS, PLAYWAYS, PICNIC DAYS

You might be just 4km from the CBD but you’re also right on the banks of the Maribyrnong River and only ten minutes to Williamstown Beach with its marina and great cafes. Then there’s Footscray Park, with its ornamental ponds and views to the city skyline, as well as the Yarraville Gardens with their fabulous picnic facilities and regular visiting food trucks serving up the best of Melbourne’s mobile chefs.

YOUR NEW FAVOURITE LOCAL IS NEAR

You’ll be spoilt for choice with the cosmopolitan range of cafes, restaurants and bars that have chosen to make their mark in Footscray, Seddon and Yarraville. Stylish design, clever cooking but naturally easy-going and unpretentious, so whether you’re with friends or sitting alone contemplating your novel, you’ll feel somewhere special, but never out of place.

SHINY MALLS AND MARKET STALLS

Footscray’s fresh food market has a deserved culinary reputation, there’s new organic grocery Plump and if you happen to be a mall baby, there’s Highpoint, with shops that easily rival Chadstone, in terms of wallet jangling possibilities. And don’t miss the gorgeous old Sun Theatre in Yarraville.