Tamsin Johnson studio
Beyond the wavy steel doors of a sandstone building in Sydney’s Paddington, Tamsin Johnson took the rare opportunity to design for herself, creating a serene studio for her practice atop her eclectic antiques showroom.
Combining two worlds under one roof – each zone defined by its own character and purpose – the overall design showcases her singular curatorial eye.
The lightly cluttered antiques showroom unfolds like a treasure trove, populated by rarities and curiosities that never linger long. Alive with discovery, each visit offers new encounters with an ever-shifting collection of nostalgic objects that charm and surprise.
Upstairs, Johnson’s studio is devoted to design and collaboration. “It is the first more open-plan space I have had the team in – a much loftier, more light-filled and fresher setting for us,” she reflects. The office is calm, purposeful and structured, a deliberate counterpoint to the energy of the showroom below. Here, clients experience a clear expression of Tamsin Johnson Interiors’ visual approach, while the team moves freely between workstations, presentation areas and contemplative corners that encourage experimentation.
The project began with a blank canvas: the space had previously been her fashion designer husband’s office. Beyond practical renovations of the lightly whitewashed and unadorned space, Johnson’s challenge was translating her vision into a studio that communicates both style and intent. “The office needed to be a very distilled version of my preferences,” she explains. “I wanted it to feel a little barn-like and subtly Scandinavian, but not in the mid-century sense. At the same time, I wanted to capture a very uplifted, Sydney-like feeling of optimism.” The result is a workspace that feels both gallery-like and formally composed.
The layout balances functionality and display with a tactile material palette that is warm yet precise. Herringbone seagrass floors and whitewash shiplap provide texture and a gentle coastal tone. Stainless-steel joinery, Lucite hardware and plaster pendants from the Clignancourt markets in France introduce crispness and reflectivity, while carefully selected antique timber adds weight and scale. Small details, from pleated olive linen make-up chairs with white piping to a whimsical David Marshall clock, are thoughtfully placed to create a rhythm of objects that is both lively and measured.
“I love finding the piece that is marginal in its beauty, the object that carries more than its decorative immediacy,” says the interior designer, capturing her approach to design and the objects she champions. A walnut Spanish console, its twisted legs and patina softened by age, holds swatches and samples. The meeting room centres on a green-glass Serenissimo table by David Law and Lella and Massimo Vignelli, paired with Charlotte Perriand LC7 chairs in mint leather – an unexpected combination that feels effortlessly composed. Artist Clara Adolphs’ February 13th (single cloud) painting invites contemplation, prompting clients to articulate their own vision.
Mirrors amplify light and add dynamic reflections, allowing each piece to command attention without overwhelming the space. Johnson’s own desk – green glass with industrial steel legs, crafted by Philippe Starck in the style of Jean Prouvé – anchors the office, while four tube sconces hover over a hand-painted faux-marble console.
The interplay of materials, scale and daylight creates a studio that is both refined and inviting. It is a place where the team can work and clients can engage with ideas, where form and function coexist seamlessly. Above all, the studio is a confident reflection of Johnson’s ethos – a space that speaks with clarity, inspires creativity and leaves a lasting impression long after a visit ends.
