i love my shop
PAUL HYLAND AND NADA GLUMICIC RUN GLASSHAUS INSIDE – A LEAFY OASIS IN MELBOURNE’S SOUTH-EAST.
Where is it? 44 Cremorne Street, Cremorne.
Describe Glasshaus Inside in a sentence. Paul Hyland: An urban, 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 constantly churns 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 Glasshaus nursery, which is a horticultural outdoor nursery in Richmond. Noticing the demographic of my customers, I saw the need to service a more transient population of inner-city apartment dwellers – people who didn’t necessarily have a garden, but loved having plants inside. As we already worked in the events industry with green styling and floristry, it made sense to look for a space that could run as a nursery and host events, too. I walked around Richmond every night for a month, looking at spaces, whether they were for lease or not, and I came up with a list of 10 buildings. 44 Cremorne was at the top of that list.
Do you know much about the history of the building? PH: For many years it was an industrial laundry servicing the extensive rag trade in Richmond. My landlord insisted the new concrete slab we poured run backwards from where the till was to be positioned. He’s very superstitious – apparently it was to make sure the money that flowed stayed in and didn’t fall back out the front door!
What’s your favourite part of the space? NG: For me, it’s the energy generated between the plants, the Glasshaus team and our clients. We’re constantly focused on making the space beautiful and purposeful – it’s really special. PH: I love the patina on the walls and the trusses that reflect building practices of the early 1900s. And the light in the space is magical, too.
Have you always been a green thumb? PH: Yes, I started growing plants for school fetes when I was in primary school. I got a job in a nursery at 13, and have worked with plants ever since. NG: Unlike Paul, my background has been unrelated to plants – I’m a mechanical engineer specialising in power generation. All that changed when I met Paul 14 years ago.
The plants all look so healthy! How much time goes into keeping them fed, watered and free from creepy-crawlies? PH: It’s a full-time job. The plants need looking at every day, even if you don’t do anything to them. The trickiest thing is watering and educating people on how to water. Everything has different requirements, and the nuances are hard to teach.
What kinds of events have you held in the space? NG: Lots of weddings, engagements and birthdays, plus product launches and other corporate events. Our clients are quite diverse, just like our plants and team! PH: My favourite was turning the space into Peter Rabbit-inspired tunnels for my twins’ fifth birthday. Manic!
Which plant would you suggest for a gardening newbie? PH: Monstera deliciosa – it’s forgiving, sculptural and easy to look after. I love dizygotheca (false aralia) and rhipsalis for the same reason. NG: Zanzibar gem and devil’s ivy.
Have you noticed any new plant trends emerging recently? PH: Plants are a fashion business – it’s constantly evolving. I think water plants will become the next big thing.
How can we contact you? glasshaus.com.au