Rebirthing the Office – Boutique Office Fit-out by Studio May

Cognisant of the societal changes present in a post-lockdown work environment, designers have begun to produce projects that blur the lines between residential and commercial design, creating spaces that serve to bring people back into the office. This sentiment has been encapsulated by Studio May through a high-end office fit-out that offers a unique insight into the rebirth of workplace design.

Studio May is a creative collaboration between Naomi Webster and Martine Bonich, each of whom brings a wealth of experience in both residential and commercial design to the table. This project, a boutique office fit-out in the heart of Melbourne’s CBD, showcases the complementary styles of both designers while delivering a high-end office space perfectly attuned with the prestige of the client.

No stranger to high-end commercial design through her time at Bates Smart, Martine approached the brief with a strong sense of purpose, committed to delivering a positive result for a client both she and Naomi have come to respect deeply. “Being a client-facing business, it was important to create a space that felt warm and welcoming,” she says. “The client’s core business values of professionalism and trust are reflected throughout the built environment in a warm, timeless and sophisticated manner.”

Materiality is paramount throughout the space, as Martine and Naomi introduced a restrained palette of natural stone, timber veneer and tan leather – high-end natural materials chosen to create a timeless aesthetic. “We love authentic and honest materials,” explains Martine. “Classic travertine floors are coherent with the base building, leather inlays are present in the desks, accents of aged brass can be found in the lighting and hardware, and high-quality timber veneer helps speak the traditional aesthetic of the office.”

Studio May is a creative collaboration between Naomi Webster and Martine Bonich, each of whom brings a wealth of experience in both residential and commercial design to the table.

Studio May worked with Elton Group in specifying Eveneer Even Walnut veneer, which features prominently throughout the communal and private spaces of the office. “Elton Group timber veneers are always a go-to for us due to the quality of the product, the ease of specification and the sustainable nature of the Elton Group ethos,” states Naomi. “In this instance, we selected the walnut as the perfect complement to the client’s branding, and to create a warmth throughout the interiors that ticks all the boxes in terms of style, fire-rating and ease of use.”

The result of a two-stage process, Studio May’s boutique office fit-out perfectly encapsulates the prestige of the client, representing a high-end design reminiscent of the most considered commercial spaces. As evidenced in the use of natural materials, such as Elton Group timber veneer, this project is an insight into the application of high-end finishes within a sophisticated commercial setting.

“Elton Group timber veneers are always a go-to for us due to the quality of the product, the ease of specification and the sustainable nature of the Elton Group ethos,” states Naomi.