Main Street Week: Danish design dreams on Magill Road

Forget old-hat antiquing, Magill Road is a Danish and mid-century paradise.

Words: Johnny von Einem
Pictures: Jessica Clark
Pictures in slideshow: Mid Century Modern

We came, we saw, we ate, and collected homewares. Twice over.

All throughout our time on Magill Road, while getting to know the local businesses, CityMag also asked our hosts what they appreciate about the strip.

Remarks

CityMag is spending the next five days on Magill Road. These profiles are part of a series called Mainstreet Week, where we look into the past, present and future of Adelaide’s highest profile strips.

See other stories in the Magill Road series:
Twopairs Homeware
Rusco and Brusco
Spaces and Places
Hoosegow

Undeniably, Magill Road is a business district on the cusp of becoming a homewares haven, but those who live and work in the area were quick to remind us that it’s as well known for its historical household items as it is for its contemporary ones.

It is an antiquer’s dream.

Not because of the number of antique stores – though they are many – but because of the quality within.

Mid Century Modern

Traditionally you might expect to wade through dozens of Pears’ Soap tins and collectible spoons to uncloak a beautiful desk that, while stunning, is far too ornate to match any of the other furniture in your home.

Mid Century Modern

But on Magill Road, you’ll instead find that all your Danish and mid-century minimalist furniture desires are catered to, and presented in the clean and logical fashion the pieces deserve.

For an Allan Gould-style Compass Chair, or a Louis van Teeffelen-inspired floating top desk, drop into Mid Century Modern.

Mid Century Modern

If you’re after that Børge Mogensen clean and simple cabinet vibe, or a floating top desk with a hidden drawer (who said minimalists have nothing to hide?), or even the completely superseded (but gorgeous nonetheless) telephone table, Pedlars Antiques have exactly what you’re after.

Pedlars Antiques

Pedlars Antiques

We were too late for the shelving unit, a la designer Dieter Rams’ own 606 Universal Shelving System, which to our great dismay had already been labelled as sold.

And if you had a bit of cash to drop and you’re a Fritz Hansen fan, Danish Vintage Modern might have something you’d be interested in.

What Magill Road offers, in addition to great food, friendly people, and an abundance of homewares, is contemporary antiquing, and we at CityMag will be back for another hunt.

Britannia Antiques