MEND Margaret River
In Western Australia’s Margaret River, interior design studio Solander House utilises a pared-back palette of textures and materials to bring depth and mood to wellness centre MEND.
Margaret River in the south-west corner of Western Australia has two distinct seasons. In the warm, balmy summer, it’s a sun-drenched haven overflowing with visitors seeking some of the country’s finest food and wine. But the region has a different face in the off-season, dominated as it is by wild seas, moody skies and dramatic storms. It’s the latter that provided the inspiration for interior design studio Solander House’s MEND Margaret River, a recovery centre and spa with a philosophy centred on wellness, connection and balance.
“When the crowds fall away, what remains is quite stripped back and nature’s raw elements take centrestage,” says Solander House co-founder Vieri Landini. “It was in that rhythm of change that we found the spirit of MEND, which is really an ode to the off-season.”
The Solander House team worked closely with MEND owners and co-founders Todd Dixon, Jordan Rettke and Sam Lord to design a space that reflected his vision – grounded in simplicity and tactile connection, and reflecting the region’s landscape and climatic essence. “Working together to embrace imperfection and push the boundaries of what a wellness space can be has been a true pleasure,” says Landini.
The material palette was a key element in imbuing MEND with a sense of calm, authenticity and connection to place. Raw timbers, weathered metals and textured hemp evoke the rugged essence of the coastline, while deep, moody tones lend a sense of mystery and depth. “We really focused on leaving materials bare and paring-back forms to create a kind of rawness and to embrace both stillness and movement. When design is stripped back and unembellished, it creates space for stillness, reflection and renewal.”
Soft textiles, including full-length curtains, and pale-coloured timber provide counterpoints to the large swathes of steel and stone. A curated selection of lighting, including Henry Wilson’s Fold and Volker Haug’s Anton in Gunmetal and Aluminium, work to elevate the design language and bring warmth to MEND’s myriad spaces and facilities, which include dry and infrared saunas, an ice bath, hot plunge bath and massage rooms.
MEND is a crystalline embodiment of Solander House’s design ethos, which is focused on creating spaces that make a meaningful difference socially, environmentally and culturally, with storytelling at their core. “We craft interiors that blend contrasting textures and tones, evoking emotion, inspiring conversations and sparking transformation,” says Landini. “For us, interior design is more than shaping spaces – it’s a vehicle for meaningful stories that invite reflection and gentle, lasting change.”
Interior design by Solander House. Build by Austin Carpentry. Joinery by Silva Cabinetry.
