The new home of storage inspiration in Wellington

The lower North Island has more than its share of character homes, visionary architects, and people looking to create their ideal living spaces in stunning locations. Add a vibrant arts sector, and you have the building blocks for exciting design.

To support the region’s design sector, Austrian hardware manufacturer Blum has recently opened an interactive exhibition space at the new Wellington Design Library on Thorndon Quay.

As well as providing a permanent showcase of Blum product ranges, the new space includes a series of ‘rooms’ to show the innovative potential of storage when it’s integrated into the kitchen, laundry, bathroom and other living areas.

The latest European products

Blum has included its latest products from Europe, which can be viewed in realistic room settings and experienced in action.

For example, you can pull out a SPACE STEP to see how this base-level drawer/step provides easy, stable access to high cupboards. You can also check out the full range of Blum box systems – LEGRABOX, MERIVOBOX and TANDEMBOX in different colours with various motion technologies. Or you can explore how EXPANDO T enables Blum fittings to be fastened to thin cabinet fronts, including natural and engineered stone.

The design of the new Blum exhibition space was overseen by its Product Manager, Claye McBride. A former cabinet maker, he was keen to demonstrate how Blum products can enable innovative solutions.

Claye says his favourite area is the hidden drawer storage beneath the over-cupboard in the kitchen area.

“It’s such a basic concept, but by using wasted space, it creates a great spot to store cooking sauces and oils,” Claye says. “And it looks really nice because it’s built from oak timber and uses Blum MOVENTO runners.”

Questions answered

Blum Specification Consultant Kate Ward says the exhibition space provides an ideal resource for architects and designers to review the capability of new products.

“Blum’s new box system MERIVOBOX has just launched in New Zealand, so we’ve incorporated it into the Wellington Design Library exhibition space,” Kate says. “The MERIVOBOX drawer system boasts straight lines and a striking look and is based on a platform concept so you can create a broad range of drawers and pull-outs.”

Kate encourages specifiers to treat the Blum exhibition as a collaborative space.

“You can bring your clients. Spread out your plans on a beautiful David Shaw table in the Blum showcase at the Wellington Design Library and discuss your options.

“I’m always happy to meet you there, so you can get all your questions answered on the spot and work out a precise specification for the cabinet maker,” Kate says.

With everything from Blum box systems and motion technologies to hinges and drawer inner-dividing systems, you’ll come away with your questions answered and some clever new ideas to incorporate into your project.

The Blum exhibition space can be found on Level 2 of the Wellington Design Library at its new location on Thorndon Quay. It’s a unique space to touch, experience and feel the difference.

Be prepared to be surprised. Visit www.blum.com to learn more.