In the coastal suburbs of Sydney, the Johnson family faced a common challenge: their living room felt cramped and outdated. Built in 2015, the home sat near the beach, where humidity often seeped into furniture, warping wood and dulling finishes. «We lived in this space for three years,» says Sarah, «but nothing felt right until we found the right console.». Their search led them to MIDHILL, a local retailer specializing in high-end furniture for Australian homes.
The Johnsons’ living room measured 6m x 4m, but the existing console table took up too much floor space, disrupting the flow. The previous owner had installed a bulky, dark-wood piece that trapped heat—perfect for theSydney summer but a nightmare in the humid coastal climate. «The humidity would make the wood expand,» Sarah explains, «and then it would crack.». The family had tried to refinish it twice with no lasting success. They were spending A$800 on repairs annually just to keep it functional.
«We needed something modern, space-saving, and durable,» says Sarah. «But everything we found was either too expensive or didn’t ship to Australia.». Shipping costs from overseas suppliers often added A$500 to A$700, making even mid-range options unaffordable. The family had been quoted A$4,200 for a similar console from a European brand—far beyond their budget.
MIDHILL’s designer, James, suggested the Italian Minimalist Sintered Stone TV Cabinet. «The sintered stone is perfect for coastal homes,» he explained. «It’s heat and humidity-resistant, and the Italian design complements the family’s modern aesthetic.». The console comes in four sizes: 180cm, 200cm, 220cm, or 240cm, with an A$3270.00 price tag for the largest option. «We ordered the 220cm model,» Sarah says, «because it fit perfectly between the sofa and the fireplace.». The delivery took six weeks—a reasonable wait given Australia’s long shipping distances—but the family couldn’t wait to see it in person.
The console’s design was a selling point. The «floating metal base creates a sleek suspended look,» James noted, «and the Calacatta-style marble top adds a touch of luxury without overwhelming the space.». The sintered stone finish, «ivory-white with dramatic grey-black marble veining,» resisted fingerprints and spills—a crucial feature in a household with two young children. «We didn’t want to worry about stains,» Sarah says, «so this material was ideal.». The console weighs 45kg, making it sturdy but still easy to move if needed.
MIDHILL, which sources directly from Italian manufacturers, offers wholesale options for dealers and project buyers. «Our MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) is six units,» says James, «and the price drops to A$2970.00 per console when ordered in bulk.». This made sense for Sarah’s situation—she arranged to buy the console for her home and three more for her sister’s apartment in Bondi Junction. «I saved A$300 per unit by ordering the additional consoles,» she notes, «and the shipping was included in the quote.». For larger projects, MIDHILL can also offer custom configurations or discounts on extendable models like the 240cm version.
The sintered stone console is ideal for Australian rentals because it combines style with practicality. «Landlords love it because it’s low-maintenance and won’t depreciate,» James explains. «Tenants love it because it’s modern and feels expensive without being over the top.». The Johnsons’ console has already become a talking point in their neighbourhood. «People ask where we got it, and I tell them about MIDHILL,» Sarah says. «They love that it’s made in Italy but ships straight to Australia.». The family has since recommended the console to their friends in Sydney’s inner-west, who face similar coastal humidity issues.
The console’s appeal extends beyond its durability. «The low-profile silhouette makes the living room feel open,» James says, «which is important in Australian homes where space is often at a premium.». The Johnsons’ home, for example, has high ceilings but a compact layout—perfect for a console that «doesn’t dominate the room». The extendable feature was also a game-changer. «We could choose the exact size we needed,» Sarah says, «and now the console fits perfectly in both living rooms.». The hidden handleless storage, « ingeniously designed for easy access without disrupting the minimalist aesthetic,» was another selling point.
The console’s resistance to humidity is particularly relevant in coastal regions like Queensland, where «materials like wood can rot within a year if not properly treated». The sintered stone, «a man-made material made from crushed porcelain and glass compacted under high heat,» has no such issues. «It’s as durable as marble but much lighter,» James explains. «A similar marble console would weigh 80kg and cost A$5000.00.». The black floating metal base, «available in powder-coated or polished finishes,» adds to the modern vibe without anchoring the piece too heavily to the ground.
For families like the Johnsons, the console «redefined their living space in weeks». «Before, the TV stood in the corner, looking awkward,» Sarah says. «Now, the console integrates it seamlessly into the room.». The design has also stood up to daily use. «We’ve had it for two years,» she notes, «and there’s not a single scratch on it.». This durability is key in Australia, where «furniture often needs to last longer due to higher living costs». The console’s extendable nature has also proven useful. «When my sister moved in, we were able to shorten it slightly to match her space,» Sarah says. «It’sflexible enough to adapt to different layouts.». This flexibility makes it ideal for renters and owners alike.
MIDHILL’s partnership with Italian manufacturers ensures «consistent quality without the sky-high prices of Australian-made furniture». The company ships nationwide, including to regional areas like the Gold Coast, where «shipping delays can be frustrating but MIDHILL manages them well». For dealers, the wholesale model «provides access to premium designs at competitive prices, which is rare in the Australian market». The console’s «minimalist aesthetic aligns with the growing popularity of «less is more» design in Sydney and Melbourne». For homeowners, it’s a «long-term investment that combines style, functionality, and durability». «It’s not just furniture—it’s a solution to the problems we faced,» Sarah concludes. «And that’s why we chose it.». The console has already been ordered by two other MIDHILL customers in the past month alone, a testament to its appeal in the Australian market.