i love my shop
PAULHYLANDANDNADAGLUMICICRUN
GLASSHAUSINSIDE–ALEAFYOASISIN
MELBOURNE’SSOUTH-EAST.
PhotoHeather LightonWhere is it? 44 Cremorne Street, Cremorne.
Describe Glasshaus Inside in a sentence. Paul Hyland:Anurban,
green oasis for plant lovers and partygoers. Nada Glumicic:An
industrial take on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
What goes on there? NG: The Glasshaus engine constantlychurns
out exciting new plant stock, plus green designs and installations
for various clients. Events are also hosted in the space.
How did it all begin? PH: In 2017 I started Glasshausnursery,
which is a horticultural outdoor nursery in Richmond. Noticingthe
demographic of my customers, I saw the need to serviceamore
transient population of inner-city apartment dwellers –peoplewho
didn’t necessarily have a garden, but loved having plantsinside.Aswe
already worked in the events industry with green stylingandfloristry,
it made sense to look for a space that could run as a nurseryand
host events, too. I walked around Richmond every nightforamonth,
looking at spaces, whether they were for lease or not, andIcameup
with a list of 10 buildings. 44 Cremorne was at the top ofthatlist.
Do you know much about the history of the building? PH:Formany
years it was an industrial laundry servicing the extensiveragtrade
in Richmond. My landlord insisted the new concrete slabwepoured
run backwards from where the till was to be positioned.He’svery
superstitious– apparently it was to make sure the money that
flowedstayedin and didn’t fall back out the front door!
What’syourfavourite part of the space? NG: For me, it’s the
energygenerated between the plants, the Glasshaus team and our
clients.We’reconstantly focused on making the space beautiful and
purposeful–it’s really special. PH: I love the patina on the walls and
thetrussesthat reflect building practices of the early 1900s. And
thelightinthe space is magical, too.
Haveyoualways been a green thumb? PH: Yes, I started growing
plantsforschool fetes when I was in primary school. I got a job
inanurseryat 13, and have worked with plants ever since. NG:
UnlikePaul,my background has been unrelated to plants – I’m a
mechanicalengineer specialising in power generation. All that
changedwhen I met Paul 14 years ago.
Theplantsalllook so healthy! How much time goes into keeping
themfed,watered and free from creepy-crawlies? PH: It’s a
full-timejob.The plants need looking at every day, even if you
don’tdoanything to them. The trickiest thing is watering and
educatingpeople on how to water. Everything has different
requirements, and the nuances are hard to teach.
Whatkindsof events have you held in the space? NG: Lots of
weddings,engagements and birthdays, plus product launches and
othercorporate events. Our clients are quite diverse, just like our
plantsandteam! PH: My favourite was turning the space into Peter
Rabbit-inspired tunnels for my twins’ fifth birthday. Manic!
Whichplantwould you suggest for a gardening newbie? PH:
Monsteradeliciosa – it’s forgiving, sculptural and easy to look after.
Ilovedizygotheca (false aralia) and rhipsalis for the same reason.
NG:Zanzibargem and devil’s ivy.
Haveyounoticed any new plant trends emerging recently?
PH:Plantsare a fashion business – it’s constantly evolving.
Ithinkwaterplants will become the next big thing.
Howcanwecontact you? glasshaus.com.aumind your business