Modern Times

Beginning as a series of pop-ups in 2010, Modern Times became a pillar of the Melbourne design community when it opened the doors to its Smith Street showroom in 2012. Behind the crisp white walls and striking blue branding of the shopfront is a destination that uniquely displays vintage European furniture alongside contemporary Australian furniture, art and design.

Husband-and-wife team Joel and Amy Malin source mainly from Denmark, and increasingly, from other parts of Europe. These rare pieces – often originating from the 1950s and 1960s – are carefully restored in-house and resold at a keen price. To that end, Modern Times is one of the only places in the country where you'll find Sigurd Ressell’s coveted Falcon Armchair in situ with a plush, sustainably made sofa by Melbourne’s Permanent Future.

Complementing those are a range of ceramics, jewellery, textiles and prints by Australian makers and artists: sculptures from the likes of Bettina Willner, glass objects by Liam Fleming and original abstract paintings by Bellarine-based artist, Amy Wright.

The cavernous space also regularly hosts exhibitions of local artists’ work, and conversations about architecture, interiors and of course, art.