Deb’s fascination with architecture and storytelling began in 2020, when she started drawing buildings as a way to get to know her new neighbourhood in Perth. What started as a personal project soon grew into something much bigger. As people began sharing their own stories in response to her work, it became clear that these drawings were about more than just architecture, they were about memory, connection and the stories that linger long after the front door has closed.
Her illustrations have since been featured in public installations at Yagan Square in Perth and lightbox exhibitions in Albury, as well as group shows across Melbourne, Brisbane and South Korea. But her creative process remains rooted in observation and curiosity: in wandering through new suburbs, noticing the details most people miss and wondering what came before.
Deb is currently exhibiting one of her local works as part of a group show at Red Gallery in Fitzroy North, a drawing of 294 Smith Street in Collingwood. Below, we take a closer look at the story behind that building, and a few others in and around Fitzroy she has brought to life through her work.
294 Smith Street, Collingwood
From fire sales to vinyl finds
This Smith Street shopfront has stood the test of time. Built around 1852–53, it’s one of Melbourne’s oldest surviving retail buildings. Over the years, it’s been home to Leviathan Furnishing Co., a fire-sale emporium, and a 1940s recording studio for Australasian Radio Productions.
In more recent memory, it was the chaotic and much-loved Travellers Bookstore. Today, it houses Happy Valley — an indie book, art and vinyl shop run by Chris Crouch, whose ties to Melbourne’s music scene go back to Candle Records and Polyester Records. With nearly 150 years of stories behind it, 294 Smith Street continues to evolve — and Deb’s illustration, on display now at Red Gallery, captures every layer with affection and attention to detail.
120 Johnston Street, Fitzroy
Haunted house vibes and a colourful past
Built in 1886–87 for Dr Samuel Peacock, this distinctive terrace on Johnston Street is hard to miss. Designed by Swedish architect Olaf Nicholson, its gothic details and narrow frame have earned it a reputation for “haunted house vibes”.
The building’s roles over the years have included private residence, midwife service, coffee palace and, in the 1950s, an engineering firm. Today, it’s home to Gorje’s Bar, with apartments above. Like much of Fitzroy, the building has changed with the times — but always kept its charm. Deb’s artwork draws out that layered history with wit and affection.
13 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
An eye for the past and present
At 13 Gertrude Street, beneath the elegant Victorian façade, lies a legacy of vision, both literal and cultural. In the late 1800s, this address was home to optometrist Charles William Pugh, whose name still graces the mosaic tiles at the entrance. Trained by his father, William Pugh, a skilled optician from London’s renowned Dollond’s, Charles brought his expertise to Fitzroy around 1898. His practice served the community until his passing in 1902, after which his wife continued the business until it was sold in 1907 .
Today, this storied building houses the thoughtfully curated Gertrude Street Market and its resident feline, Toast. 🐈⬛ Deb’s illustration captures the shopfront’s timeless elegance — a tribute to the layers of creativity, commerce, and community that define Fitzroy. From crafting spectacles to showcasing style, 13 Gertrude Street continues to see the world with clarity and charm.
53 Gertrude Street, Fitzroy
A glass of history at Marion
If these walls could talk… they’d offer you a Syrah and tell you to settle in. This elegant Victorian shopfront has been linked to wine since the 1880s. From the 1920s to 1965, it was run by Antonio and Velia Virgona, well-known figures in Fitzroy’s Italian-Australian community, selling wine by the bottle and barrel to loyal locals.
In 2015, the space became home to Marion, the beloved wine bar from Andrew McConnell. With its soft light, timber accents and wall-to-wall wine racks, it’s the kind of place you plan to stop in briefly and end up staying a while. Knowing its backstory adds richness to the experience — a quiet thread of continuity running through the decades.
Art is thirsty work. We asked Deb about her inspirations, her favourite local spots to recharge and the stories that linger in her work.
When you’re out in Fitzroy, sketching or sleuthing, where do you stop for a coffee — and where’s your favourite perch to draw or soak it all in?
I love this part of Melbourne — it’s full of inspiration on every corner. I’m a classic soy flat white gal, and Industry Beans is always a favourite. Great coffee, gorgeous space. I also love Square and Compass (technically East Melbourne, but let’s not split hairs) — their green chilli scrambled eggs are worth crossing a postcode for. And Hector’s Deli, oh my days, those donuts.
Which local gallery or creative space always sparks inspiration for you?
Oh, I can’t possibly pick just one! Melbourne has such a great mix of galleries and creative spaces. Brunswick Street Gallery will always have a special place in my heart — it was the first Melbourne gallery I exhibited in (for their Summertide exhibition), so there’s a bit of a soft spot there. I love a good solo show, especially by artists or muralists I already admire, but there’s something magic about a group show. You always end up discovering someone new to fall in love with. And I’ve got a soft spot for anyone who draws or paints streetscapes — us building people are a special type. 😉
Is there a hidden laneway or corner building in Fitzroy that you think more people should notice?
I always say — just look up. We’re all so familiar with the shopfronts, cafés and bars at street level, but the real magic is often above eye-line. Old painted signs, ornate windows, curious little balconies — they hint at the layers of history hiding in plain sight. A lot of these buildings had shopkeepers living upstairs, which always gets me thinking: what stories played out behind those lace curtains? What neighbourhood dramas unfolded over a shared back fence? That kind of quiet, everyday history is what pulls me in.
After a day of chasing local treasures and drawing heritage façades, where do you head for a quick bite, a cheeky glass, or both?
Marion is always a favourite — a glass of wine, something seasonal and simple done beautifully, and that gentle hum that makes you want to stay a little longer. But I also just love an old pub, and Fitzroy has a few gems. There are a couple I’ve got on my list to draw and dig into the history of — the kind of places where the walls feel like they’ve seen it all. Give me a good front bar, a bowl of chips, some people watching or a good book and I’m happy.
What’s one Fitzroy moment, memory or mystery that’s lingered long enough to end up in your iPad?
Definitely Gertrude Street Market. I was in there with my sister one day when I spotted Toast, the glorious shop cat, slinking around like he owned the place (which they absolutely do!). I was instantly in love. The store itself is so beautifully curated — clothes, books, homewares— it has that perfect mix of thoughtful and effortless. And when I found out the building used to be an optometrist back in the day, I fell for it even more. As someone who’s worn glasses since the age of three, that bit of history really stuck with me. It’s that blend of past lives and present-day charm that always finds its way into my iPad.
🖼️ Where to See Deb’s Work
Deb Huff’s illustration of 294 Smith Street is currently on show until 13 July, as part of the Small Wonders Group Exhibition at Red Gallery, 157 St Georges Road, Fitzroy North.
Follow Deb on Instagram for more stories behind the buildings or find limited edition prints of her illustrations at debhuff.com.
