Cody Weightman, a player for the Western Bulldogs, turned a century‑old Brunswick warehouse into his first home after buying the property last year. He wanted the space to feel personal from the start, saying, “This is my first home, so I really wanted to make it feel like mine.”
From Garage to Studio: The Early Design Phase
Weightman’s initial plan focused on the garage, which he envisioned as an art studio. He enlisted interior designer Jessica Bettenay of By R.A. for guidance. The brief quickly expanded, covering all three levels of the converted warehouse. The renovation kept the building’s industrial character, preserving original floors, exposed blockwork, brick walls, and ceiling rafters that hint at the structure’s 100‑year history.
“I’ve always loved warehouses, so we drew a lot of inspiration from restaurants around Melbourne like bistroX in Fitzroy,” he explained. He also cited the atmosphere of Disuku in the CBD as a reference for the mood lighting and graphic art that now populate the interior.
On the ground floor, the garage now serves as a functional studio, laundry, and hang‑out zone. The space accommodates his artistic pursuits, which have included mural painting and a recent exhibition at Melbourne Design Week 2026.
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Transforming the Upper Levels:
The top floor houses an open‑plan kitchen, living, and dining area that underwent the most dramatic changes. Deep red joinery and a stainless‑steel island dominate the kitchen, creating a hub for meals and gatherings. An awkward nook was repurposed into a hidden powder room behind a sliding door, adding a touch of novelty.
Outside, the indoor‑outdoor flow was highlighted with a pizza oven and a Weber grill, a zone designed for the player and his housemates to enjoy. Bedrooms and bathrooms received a DIY cosmetic refresh; new joinery was installed and tiles were painted over, giving fresh life to the spaces.
He managed most of the project while maintaining his full‑time football schedule. Coordinating trades and moving materials to the third level proved challenging. When a scissor lift failed on the day a stone slab arrived, the crew had to manually carry each piece up the stairs. “I slightly underestimated the amount of work and complexity of organising trades and materials. Though stressful and at times costly, it was overall extremely rewarding seeing something you envisioned come to life,” he said.
The finished home reflects a blend of personal and professional needs. It offers areas for training, artistic creation, cooking, and socializing, all under one roof.
