Celebrating Local Design — Studio xOx
Born out of a passion for Australian craftsmanship, Sydney-based Studio xOx has a flagship showroom for sustainably produced and locally manufactured designer bathroomware.
Whilst admiring the locally-made Faucet Strommen tapware in his own home – with the taps and spout forming a distinctive xOx design – Founder of Studio xOx Jonathan Tsoupis was inspired to create a business that celebrated Australian manufacturing and design. Studio xOx’s spacious Sydney showroom, designed by Mia Lake Interiors, is just that – a calming and inspirational world dedicated exclusively to Australian-made bathroomware.
The emphasis on local manufacturing encompasses many benefits, from shorter lead times to enhanced quality and competitive pricing. Chief among the many advantages associated with manufacturing in Australia is the ability for Studio xOx to proactively stipulate standards regarding sustainable manufacturing techniques. All brands stocked must commit to an environmentally responsible ethos, a principle that Studio xOx takes very seriously.
Another, equally significant, benefit of local manufacturing is the opportunity for bringing to life custom designs and collaborating with architects, designers and their clients. The collection displayed in the showroom includes several in-house joinery designs made in the Sydney studio from responsibly sourced materials. The bespoke mirror cabinets, creatively designed vanities, architectural niches and range of ZEN wall lights, featuring customisable natural stone and timber plates, showcase the company’s dedication to manufacturing custom designs to the unique specifications of individual projects.
In addition to the Studio xOx core range, a curated selection of partner brands extends to collaborative designs created with Nood Co, Concrete Collective and Studio Ting, which complete the picture. These are all carefully presented to enable customers to experience the tones, textures and shapes of each product. Additionally, the tactile Knurled Handle by Faucet Strommen, created exclusively for Studio xOx, is displayed proudly alongside ceramic basins handmade in Tasmania by Lindsey Wherrett using traditional crafting techniques, also exclusive to Studio xOx.
Every product on display, whether an example of Studio xOx’s in-house custom-made work or an exclusive piece from one of the partner brands, is united by a shared focus on the excellence of local manufacturing. The overall effect is both inspiring and considered. Far from a busy showroom overflowing with samples, this is a beautiful space in which to savour and appreciate locally crafted, considerately designed and sustainably made bathroomware.
