Playful Warmth – CLO Studios Design Atelier by CLO Studios

There is never a greater opportunity for self-expression than that of a designer’s own studio, and CLO Studios Design Atelier by CLO Studios proves this to be so, perfectly capturing its own brand. Using their unique aesthetic that bridges custom design and fashion, in reworking the existing studio the designers have brought warmth and earth-inspired materials and textures to fill and anchor the spaces.

Akin to the way our homes are a means of sharing a piece of ourselves with those invited in, a studio space can also be the melting pot for idea creation and courageous thinking. Having previously occupied the space, CLO Studios wanted to realign its surrounds as an immersion in their aesthetic for both staff and prospective clients. Enlivening the existing volumes, the floor plan was reworked to allow for a series of connected work, display, break out and dedicated meeting spaces.

Creating a sleeve within the existing space is a beautifully hand-applied wall render by Rockcote, which adds a unique warmth and soft meringue tone to the outer limits of the space.

As a studio known for curious play on colour and texture, it was inevitable that those traits would be brought into the space. Inspired heavily by travel and art, the atelier has a global muse and comes together with a complementary series of artworks, lighting and furniture pieces that reflect those connections. Creating a sleeve within the existing space is a beautifully hand-applied wall render by Rockcote, which adds a unique warmth and soft meringue tone to the outer limits of the space. In its own nuanced way, the surface becomes an ideal base for the ensuing layers of natural and tactile finishes added and dotted throughout.

Artwork by the likes of Max Papart of St Germain, France, dons the walls together with handmade ceramics by Angus McDiarmid of Pãn Pottery. Both artists represent a zesty love of life and express an authenticity found in engaging with and being patrons of makers and creators, which, as a core ethos of the studio, means their presence was undeniably required. Together with the more far-reaching finds, locally made and designed pieces add a grounding sensibility to the space, acting both as an expression of place and of the calibre of design coming from the community.

Enlivening the existing volumes, the floor plan was reworked to allow for a series of connected work, display, break out and dedicated meeting spaces.