Baya Unveils its First Australian Showroom
New Zealand soft furnishing brand Baya has unveiled its first Australian showroom, a calming space in Melbourne’s Richmond that invites customers to experience its offerings under one roof.
Baya’s first showroom in Australia, a 270-square-metre space in the design hub of Richmond in Melbourne, embodies the New Zealand soft furnishing brand’s ethos at every turn – a calm, refined showroom that puts the spotlight firmly on Baya’s natural fibre collection. This ranges from rugs made from premium New Zealand wool and hand-woven cushions to textured throws and thoughtfully crafted outdoor pieces.
The interior design, helmed by Auckland-based designer Sebastian Negri of StudioStudio, holds a mirror to Baya’s considered design philosophy. Hushed hues meet subtle contrasts, while smooth concrete floors and cool-toned stuccoed brick, both original to the building on Yorkshire Street, step back to keep the products centre stage.
As Mason Feehan, Baya’s head of marketing, explains, “I don’t believe we could get any closer to a true physical expression of the Baya brand, and I’m extremely proud of that. Sebastian has worked with us for some time, and his understanding of Baya has been key to its translation into a space that tells our story – a homage to natural fibres, a celebration of the handmade and a nod to New Zealand design.”
The browsing experience mimics a quiet, almost reverential journey through a library – thoughtfully paced, tactile and intentionally curated. Bespoke displays and timber fittings echo the brand’s essence of laid-back luxury, while subtle overlays and underlays of marble and brass lift the overall material palette, adding moments of quiet elegance. “A recent trip to New York, filled with countless visits to art galleries, inspired the vision for the new showroom experience,” says Negri. “Each piece is treated as a work of art, inviting clients to contemplate and engage with the products in a carefully curated space.”
The idea of browsing slowly is closely tied to the brand’s origins and, more specifically, its name, inspired by the eponymous weaverbird, known for its patience and artistry in crafting intricate nests. Baya’s products reflect a similar attention to artisanal detail, with its woven, handcrafted offerings requiring patrons to appreciate them up close and at their own pace. The company designs and curates its collections at its headquarters in Tāmaki Makaurau/Auckland, and collaborates with textile artisans across the world to bring them to life.
The showroom also shines a spotlight on another esteemed New Zealand maker, Tim Webber Design. On display are selections from Webber’s Chronicle Table range, a sculptural daybed crafted from folded, galvanised steel and upholstered in supple leather, and his popular Kin outdoor setting, rendered in stainless steel and Garapa timber, and finished in a soft mist-green and whitewash palette. “Having such a diverse selection of our collection on display invites people to truly experience the furniture, to touch, feel and connect with each piece in a way that brings it to life,” says Webber.
Webber’s furniture is the perfect addition to a space that captures the soul of Baya – quietly confident, deeply tactile and unmistakably New Zealand.
Interior design by StudioStudio.
