06 / Journal

Can you tell us a little about Studio Albus and what you would describe your design style as, in three words?

Studio Albus is a female-led interior design studio that combines creative vision with practical expertise to deliver beautifully crafted spaces. With a background in multi-residential developments, we’ve honed a deep understanding of how to work within a range of budgets, always ensuring a stunning result without compromising on quality.

Having worked extensively with property developers, we’ve gained invaluable knowledge in construction and project management, which allows us to bring a comprehensive and informed approach to every project we take on. Whether it’s managing tight timelines or navigating complex build environments, we’re able to offer solutions that reflect both aesthetic ambition and functional precision.

Can you tell us about your newly launched Société tool?

We recently launched Société, an online tool designed to democratise the design process for those who want to manage their own projects. Société offers curated schedules and resources for key design areas—such as finishes, fixtures, fittings, equipment, furniture, and lighting—empowering individuals to confidently undertake their renovations or builds, even without a designer by their side. We’re not just adding to the abundance of practices offering design courses and documents for sale online. What we’re doing is giving people the exact templates and methodologies we use in our own work. So even if someone isn’t engaging a designer, they can ensure the work is done properly. This streamlines the experience for both the client and the entire project team, setting everyone up for success.

We also have several exciting digital products in the works, including a project budget tracker, mood board templates and pre-selected finishes palettes. These tools will make it even easier for people to achieve a designer’s edge while managing their projects efficiently, ensuring they stay on track both financially and aesthetically.

How do you help guide your clients with their decision-making and overall vision for their space? What are your key tips to ensure you are all on the same page?

We guide our clients by fostering open communication from the very beginning. It’s crucial to listen closely to their needs, preferences, and lifestyle, and then translate that into a cohesive design vision. We always start with a clear design brief and mood boards that align with their goals, so we can establish a strong visual direction together.

Throughout the project, we provide curated options that suit their style, budget, and timeline—never overwhelming them with too many choices. Regular check-ins and updates also ensure we're aligned every step of the way.

Key tips for staying on the same page? Transparency, trust, and clear documentation. We make sure clients understand the 'why' behind each design decision, and we’re always there to offer professional advice when they need guidance. Our goal is to streamline the decision-making process, so they feel confident in the outcome.

What was the client’s vision for Residence B and how did you match this?

The client’s vision for Residence B was to embody a Modern Parisian vibe, blending sophisticated elegance with contemporary design elements. They sought a residence that radiated luxury while remaining inviting and warm.

To bring this vision to life, we curated a palette of refined materials and finishes. The use of warm oak timber veneers, double-bullnose joinery, and soft beige stucco throughout the home creates a serene backdrop. The strategic incorporation of a variety of natural stones added a touch of classic Parisian opulence.

The interiors were designed with a meticulous eye for detail to balance elegance with modern comfort. Custom joinery, luxurious lighting, and elegant bronze finishes and fittings all contribute to the Modern Parisian aesthetic. This careful selection of materials and design elements ensured that the residence felt both timeless and stylish, perfectly aligning with the client’s vision.

How long did Residence B take to plan and come to life? Were there any barriers or challenges that you were faced with the building?

Stage 01 of Residence B took 18 months from initial design review to installation. Given the intricate detail involved in each space, we engaged a CGI artist to produce 3D photorealistic renderings. These renderings were invaluable, not only in helping our client fully grasp the envisioned outcome but also in providing our trades and project team with clear, inspiring visuals to reference and aspire towards.

A significant challenge during this stage was sourcing the Calacatta Viola marble slabs that our client had fallen in love with. Marble, being a finite resource, is akin to art, and once a particular slab meets our criteria, securing all the slabs in the block became a race against time. These sought-after slabs ended up scattered across different interstate stone warehouses, making it quite the endeavour to gather them all for the project.

As we move into Stage 02, we’ll be elevating the residence further with a comprehensive overhaul of the upper bedrooms and ensuites, the addition of a wellness centre complete with a Pilates studio, gym, sauna, and ice bath, and an enhanced lower level featuring a new entertaining space with a bar/kitchen, wine cellar, living area, and library.

What design elements were a highlight in this project?

In Residence B, several design elements stand out as highlights, contributing to its sophisticated and cohesive aesthetic:

1.        European Oak Herringbone Hardwood Floors: The project had existing natural stone tiles throughout which were in a Thassos white marble in a polished finish. We went back and forth a lot with the client to introduce a timber element to the space that not only grounded the overall design but also complimented the timber accent joinery details. The timber flooring became a very important element to the overall design by providing warmth, texture and an element of classic Parisian detailing.

2.        Custom Joinery: The bespoke joinery, including the oak timber veneer with double bullnose details and the glass-covered desks, showcases a blend of functionality and refined aesthetics. These elements are both practical and visually appealing, adding a touch of modern sophistication.

3.        Soft Curves and Textures: The design integrates soft curves and textures, such as those found in the banquet seating as well as the Apparatus Studio Lariat and Cloud Pendants. These elements contribute to a relaxed, inviting atmosphere while maintaining a high level of elegance. We deep dived into focusing on finer design details to carry this design logic throughout the project - i.e. bullnosed timber joinery, bullnosed timber step treads, bullnosed tiled kicks, the arched stone detailing in the bar.

4.        Ribbed Marble Panels: The ribbed Calacatta Viola panels, cut with precision by our stone mason, add a distinctive texture and visual interest. This detail enhances the depth and richness of the space, highlighting the craftsmanship involved.

5.        Lighting Fixtures: The inclusion of unique lighting fixtures, such as the Trilogy Wall Sconce by Articolo and the Soktas Coral wall sconces and pendants that feature throughout, introduced a sophisticated play of light and shadow. These pieces not only illuminate but also serve as focal points in their respective spaces.

6.        Material Contrasts: The project skilfully contrasts materials, such as the combination of warm timber veneer with cool marble surfaces, and soft beige stucco and microcement. This interplay of textures adds complexity and visual intrigue to the design.

Each of these elements contributes to the overall character of Residence B, creating a harmonious blend of luxury, modernity, and timeless elegance.

If you could pick one marble to have in your own space from the glorious array throughout this project, what would you pick?

If we had to choose one marble from the exquisite collection in this project for our own spaces, it would be the Calacatta Vagli (Guest Ensuite). Its subtle yet sophisticated veining offers a refined elegance that can transform any room into a serene retreat. The soft tones and understated beauty of Calacatta Vagli provide a timeless quality that complements various design styles, making it a versatile and luxurious choice. We are very lucky to secure that slab as typically Calacatta Vagli has a grey veining whereas these slabs were quite golden. While the Calacatta Viola (Kitchen, Bar, Living) and Paonazzo (Powder Room) are undeniably stunning, the Calacatta Vagli's delicate nuanced and unique patterns make it a standout for creating a calm and sophisticated atmosphere.

We were thrilled to see our hardware feature in Residence B! How did you make these specific selections and how did they tie into the aesthetic?

For the hardware, we chose the Intersect Knob in bronze and the Kintore Appliance Pull with a knurled texture, also in bronze. These pieces were selected for their refined craftsmanship and their ability to seamlessly blend with the overall design.

The Intersect Knob’s clean lines and warm bronze finish beautifully echo the luxurious tones found throughout the space, while the Kintore Pull’s knurled texture adds a tactile, high-end detail that enhances the modern Parisian charm. Together, these hardware selections were integral in tying together the rich textures and elegant finishes, elevating the aesthetic of Residence B to new heights.

Congratulations to Madi and Holly for bringing to life the incredible Residence B and establishing an admirable business and community. We look forward to seeing their future projects continue to inspire individuals for many years.

Interior Design: Studio Albus
Build: D.velop.R
Photography: Ryan Linnegar Photography
Styling: Kerrie Ann Jones