Travertine Dream - Venroy Byron Bay by Sarah I’Anson

Located in Byron Bay’s Jonson Lane precinct, cult Australian leisurewear label Venroy’s seventh store is a culmination of beautifully balanced design ideals. Created in collaboration with Sarah l’Anson Design Office, and boutique shopfitter EMAC Constructions – which offset the project’s construction resulting in a carbon neutral fit-out – the space exudes the calm of a bathhouse and the patina of an Italian piazza.

There are various elements that delineate this boutique from the typical retail experience, which, as Venroy Founder and Director Sean Venturi says, was intentional. “My vision for Byron Bay was to create a store [that] fosters a welcoming community environment where people can shop, gather and ultimately relax in the space.” The wider precinct leans heavily into this same idea, with likeminded neighbours including Deiji Studios and Saturdays NYC, as well as a bunch of great hospitality haunts.

“As Venroy stores are high foot traffic environments, the use of a resilient material such as travertine ensures that the space will age gracefully,” Venroy’s in-house architect Sarah l’Anson shares, adding, “using travertine is also advantageous in warmer climates due to its cooling properties, allowing shoppers a reprieve from Byron’s hot summer sun.”

Inside the store, travertine is the dominant material, with stacked pattern pavers, elliptical arches anchored by travertine clad columns and a four-metre travertine and steel counter. The stone is enveloping and impactful, confidently leading the materiality and doing much of the heavy lifting in defining this space’s enduring identity. Given its prominence, selecting a highly durable stone with the perfect tonal variation was crucial, and Sarah landed on Artedomus Travertine Zena – a lighter-toned stone with layers of creamy hues and plenty of texture. Sourced from Italy’s premier travertine producers, Travertine Zena is among the strongest and most dense stones on the market, making it ideal for residential and commercial settings.

“As Venroy stores are high foot traffic environments, the use of a resilient material such as travertine ensures that the space will age gracefully,” Sarah shares, adding, “using travertine is also advantageous in warmer climates due to its cooling properties, allowing shoppers a reprieve from Byron’s hot summer sun.” The rest of the material palette is intentionally minimal, reflecting the label’s commitment to an understated neutrality. A selection of objects and curios (think Murano glass sconces and vintage mirrors) and the chalky rendered ceiling offset the rudimentary custom stainless steel hang rails and display shelves, alongside an aluminium piece by Melbourne-based Brud Studia creating an elemental yet rich backdrop to Venroy’s cotton, silk and cashmere garments.

Venroy Byron Bay is a mini escape – a reprieve, if you like – from the everyday. And while you’ll likely head here for the label’s relaxed silhouettes and spirited aesthetic, you’ll certainly leave with a welcome hankering for your next sojourn to Italy.