Layered Aesthetic

Studio May takes a residential approach to this East Melbourne family office, creating a setting that balances privacy, connection and comfort.

A refined palette creates warmth, personality and permanence.

East Melbourne family office designed by Studio May, featuring a sculptural lounge setting with furniture from Living Edge.
Pictured: Snow Sofa, Spoke Side Table, Spoke Coffee Table, Eames Turned Stool, Ishino Armchair

Designed by Studio May, a family office in Melbourne brings the character and comfort of a considered home into the workplace. Overlooking Melbourne’s parklands, the interior is organised around a generous central lounge, with private offices, meeting spaces and quieter areas extending from it.

Marble, timber, stone and textured finishes establish a rich, tactile palette. Bespoke joinery and integrated lighting bring cohesion to the interior, while a mix of new furniture and pieces already owned by the client lends the space a distinctly personal quality.

“Designed to evoke the exclusivity of a private members’ club, the project embraces a cinematic, layered aesthetic that explores the intersection of luxury, performance and wellbeing, delivering an exceptional contemporary workplace experience.” — Martine Bonich, Principal at Studio May.

Snow Modular Sofa by La Chance in the central lounge of the East Melbourne office.

Snow Sofa

La Chance

Drawing on the relaxed opulence of the 1970s conversation pit, Snow by Note Design Studio combines straight and curved 30-degree modules to create fluid arrangements. Fully padded seats and legs give the sofa a soft, enveloping presence within the central lounge.

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The piece sits graciously within the lounge, its soft, sculptural curves responding to the sweeping lines of the base building’s architecture and ceiling design.

Naomi Webster, Principal at Studio May

Spoke Tables

BassamFellows

Spoke translates a simple geometric form into a finely crafted timber table. Three spokes support a large wooden ring, while the grain of the precisely formed timber circle creates a concentric pattern beneath the glass top. Available as a coffee or side table, the design brings rhythm and a sense of lightness to the lounge.

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Spoke Tables by BassamFellows, featuring circular timber frames and glass tops.

The tables introduce a sense of lightness and rhythm, with their circular timber forms creating an elegant focal point while complementing the building’s inherent spatial character.

Naomi Webster, Principal at Studio May

Healey Lounge Chair by Walter Knoll featuring an upholstered seat, enveloping shell and swivel base.

Healey Lounge Chair

Walter Knoll

Inspired by the flowing lines of classic car seats, Healey pairs an enveloping outer shell with an upholstered seat and armrests. A broad armrest provides a practical surface for everyday essentials, while the swivel base allows the chair to move naturally with its surroundings.

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It’s been a privilege to work alongside Martine and Naomi at Studio May and help bring their vision for this project to life. Their attention to detail and clarity of vision have made this a particularly special project to be part of. The result speaks for itself.

Todd Brain, A&D Residential Consultant at Living Edge

Supporting image for the East Melbourne Office case study.

Ishino Armchair

Walter Knoll

Designed by Daï Sugasawa, Ishino reinterprets the classic club chair through rounded contours, generous proportions and softly tailored upholstery. Its enveloping back and carefully positioned seams balance a relaxed, inviting feel with a considered sense of structure.

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Ishino Armchair by Walter Knoll, with rounded contours and softly tailored upholstery.

Ishino swivel chairs by Walter Knoll complete the setting, selected for their sophisticated club-lounge aesthetic, generous proportions and exceptional comfort.

Naomi Webster, Principal at Studio May

Together, these furnishings contribute to a workplace shaped by comfort, materiality and a strong sense of identity.

Credits

Interior Design

Studio May

Photography

Lillie Thompson

Living Edge acknowledges the Traditional
Owners of Country throughout Australia.
We pay our respects to Elders past and present.