P Johnson Femme Armadale by Tamsin Johnson

In Melbourne’s Armadale, a former gallery on High Street has been lovingly transformed into a boutique retail store. A thoughtfully curated selection of delicate clothing hanging on steel racks reveals the shopfront’s latest tenure – P Johnson’s additional Victorian location now houses both women’s and men’s collections with a particular spotlight on P Johnson Femme.

As P Johnson Femme Armadale is located on the ground floor of a double-storey Victorian-era building in a suburb known for its heritage properties and leafy streets, interior designer Tamsin Johnson thoughtfully positioned the brand within the existing fabric of the famed Melbourne shopping strip. Johnson sought to reflect the brand’s understated, eclectic and distinctly feminine style within the boutique’s design.

While the interior itself is large with high ceilings and multiple levels, a sense of minimalism has been retained by Johnson with considered moments of drama.

Stepping inside the expansive floor-to-ceiling glass entrance, which floods the space with a wealth of natural light, P Johnson Femme Armadale appears almost temple-like. While the interior itself is large with high ceilings and multiple levels, a sense of minimalism has been retained by Johnson with considered moments of drama.

A vintage Chinese Art Deco rug sets the tone with opulent charm. Walls and ceilings are skilfully painted to emulate the appearance of parchment, while the floor features Versailles parquetry. This timeless finish juxtaposes beautifully against bold, custom leopard-print carpet that adorns the stairs to the men’s retail experience above. Inspired by a Viennese-Milanese design aesthetic, the leopard print extends to the fitting rooms, complemented by gold tassel-fringed Italian velvet and ornate Murano glass mirrors. Just across from the changing rooms, three anemone-like Murano glass pendants provide warm, subtle light.

Walking through the Armadale showroom feels like being a guest of a shoppable, lavish destination, where the covetable collections on display can be admired and appreciated.

Johnson layered her playful and, at times, quirky approach with a refined and formal treatment to create a boutique that is effortlessly detailed and luxurious. Walking through the Armadale showroom feels like being a guest of a shoppable, lavish destination, where the covetable collections on display can be admired and appreciated.

The new store is an exciting step for P Johnson Femme as the fashion house expands from its compact Windsor showroom. The design is equally riveting – sophisticated in her approach, Johnson’s conception of this latest emporium brings a considered variety, character and refinement, befitting the Armadale locale.

Interior design by Tamsin Johnson. Build by Stevens Waters Building.