Scout House · New Store

The new home of much loved st. Kilda retailer Scout House, in Fitzroy st. Photo - Lauren Bamford

Scout House new store - so many amazing pieces! Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Amazing counter! Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Scout House store details. Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Scout House product range. Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Scout House's sweet handpainted vintage cart. Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Orlando Mesiti, Scout House proprietor. Photo - Lauren Bamford.

Though I'm never too far from a wifi signal, those of you who follow TDF on instagram will know I'm rather lucky this week to be working from a remote location... I'm in Paris!  Oooh la la, c'est encroyable! I am loving every minute!  Now, though I would love to say my favourite finds have been art, architecture and culture related, I have to admit, the part which has really inspired me the most is the SHOPPING.  From Colette, to Merci, to the incredible L'Elaireur - retail in Paris is simply an artform in itself. This trip really has reignited my passion for retail, and for creative retailers who excel in creating something a richer than the average shopping experience.  SO it seems opportune timing today to revisit one amazing Melbourne retailer, whose St Kilda store  has grown in leaps and bounds since it first opened in 2010. In a previous life, Scout House propietor Orlando Mesiti worked in forecasting and sourcing for large scale retailers.  With a passion for a more boutique, creative shopping experience, in 2010 Orlando opened his own store, Scout House, in its first location - a sweet little shopfront in Grey Street st Kilda. 'We opened Scout House in the middle of 2010, in a little old haberdashery store on Grey Street in St Kilda' recalls Orlando. 'Lots of really good retailers had long left St Kilda, and so we thought we’d bring beautiful things back to the suburb I'd lived in for over 20 years'.   Though many thought he was crazy opening in a difficult little spot with no parking to speak of (!) Scout House quickly gathered a loyal following, and soon outgrew its modest shopfront.  After four successful years, last month Orlando finally moved his much loved local store to a new premises - a much bigger shopfront just around the corner on Fitzroy st, St Kilda. 'The move has given us the chance to recalibrate' says Orlando. 'Certainly having four times the floorspace opens up a lot of options'.  Orlando has embraced this potential, working with local craftsmen to create more custom products, including furniture to complement Scout House's popular Iron Bed. The new collection includes a Scout sofa and armchair, bench seating and three new dining tables! 'Our collection is ever changing, always about carefully curating utilitarian, timeless, functional products for daily living' says Orlando, adding 'products that wont just last for one year but for many years or a lifetime'.  Though their vintage collection remains at the core of the Scout House product offering, Orlando has an incredible eye for pairing these one off pieces with a growing list of reputable Australian, American and European brands such as Pony Rider, Modernica, Herscell, Cornishware Stanley, Opinel Knives and Falcon Enamelware.  'I feel like our voice is evolving and only now coming into its own - classic rather than retro, vintage rather than industrial' says Orlando. To coincide with the opening of his new store, Orlando is pleased to present an exhibition of photographs by Melbourne photographer Lauren Bamford entitled Follow Your Notion. We love Lauren's work (she took the photos in this post too!) so do pop in and check those out!  If you're in the area, all are welcome to join Orlando and co. for a drink tonight, Monday May 12th between 6 - 8pm to celebrate Scout House' new space, and to see Lauren's show! Scout House 161a Fitzroy St St Kilda, VIC Open 7 days, 10.00am to 5.00pm.

Photography - Lauren Bamford.

Store details. Photography - Lauren Bamford.

Scout House' impressive vintage furniture collection. Photography - Lauren Bamford.