An exploration of considered interiors finds new expression in the Owen Chair; a piece that asks not just to be chosen, but to be lived with.
Set within one of St Kilda’s heritage buildings, this thoughtfully restored apartment revives its Art Deco character while embracing a contemporary style of living. Lofty proportions, geometric arched windows and original architectural details provide the foundation for a home that feels layered and connected to its surroundings.
The brief to Furnishd Studio was clear: resist trend cycles and design around pieces, materials and experiences built to last. Rather than beginning with a predetermined aesthetic, the design began with the clients themselves. Existing pieces, including our Owen Chair became a stylistic cornerstone, shaping spaces that celebrate Australian craftsmanship, local makers and materials chosen to improve with age.
"The Owen Chair in Merida fabric felt like an opportunity to play. It's a vibrant, expressive piece that immediately opens up colour exploration, and the challenge wasn't finding ways to use it; it was deciding how much to lean into it.” Emma Joseph, Lead Interior Designer.
This approach extends to the furniture itself. Each piece has been considered not simply for how it looks within the room, but for how it will live with the client over time. Within the master bedroom, the Owen Chair in Brochier, Merida introduces a more expressive note. Richly woven and defined by a vibrant geometric pattern, Merida brings together terracotta, sage and warm neutrals, creating an unexpected contrast within the otherwise restrained palette.
The chair’s placement within the bay window was instinctive. With its strong architectural presence, the window called for a piece with an equal sense of character. Ornamentation around it the room was deliberately pulled back allowing Owen to breathe rather than competing with it.
Owen Chair in Brochier, Merida.
This restrained foundation creates space for moments of contrast to feel more impactful. The Owen Chair is a natural expression of this approach, its solid timber arms and generous proportions bringing warmth and structure, while the Merida upholstery introduces pattern, colour and tactile interest.
Owen Chair in Brochier, Merida
For the designers, timelessness is less about creating something that looks perpetually fashionable and more about establishing a personal and emotional connection with a piece of furniture. The most enduring piece is often one that resonates with a client well before they can articulate why.
Quality is central to this notion. A well-made piece is designed to be lived with, rather than managed or replaced as tastes change. It develops meaning through use, becoming more familiar and more personal over time.
Owen typifies this philosophy. Positioned within the bedroom, it becomes part of the everyday rhythm of the home; a place to sit, to pause, to start and end the day. Its longevity isn’t just about its physical attributes, but how it continues to feel meaningful as people and spaces change around it. The result is a home where heritage and contemporary living exist in quiet conversation, and where enduring designs are given the space to become part of its story.
Photography Dylan James
Design Furnishd Studio