Places and Spaces: Pastel Tones Rule in This Tropical Miami-Meets-Brisbane Showroom

February 24, 2020 by Rory Carter

Tiles and bathware isn't usually the most riveting conversation topic for most people. If you're in the process of renovating you'll probably know that they're generally not the most inspiring of places to visit and can quickly become overwhelming when you consider the sheer amount of options available. Will the floor tile you've selected work back with the backsplash sample that caught your eye? Beyond holding multiple offcuts next to each other until your arms become numb, designing a bathroom can be a tricky task. When respected bathroom retailer Artedomus decided to open the doors to a new Brisbane location they knew that it had to be much more than just a series of daunting shelves of subway tiles, marbles, and surfaces. Instead, they joined forces with long-time collaborators The Stella Collective to use their Fortitude Valley warehouse space to create an aspirational subtropical oasis for designers and customers to gain inspiration from and realise the full potential of their wide range of stunning stone surfaces and minimalist bathware.

Thomas Coward, Creative Director of Artedomus, and the design team at The Stella Collective were clear on where their concept for the one-of-a-kind space would come from—Miami. In particular, the luxurious hotels of the 1980s that epitomised beachside glam. Included in that list is the iconic Fontainebleau and Eden Roc on Miami Beach where sumptuous curves and glitzy chandeliers come standard. While the influence for the overall aesthetic of Artedmous' Brisbane outlet is derived from a bygone decade, the end result is something supremely modern and uniquely Australian. The subtropical climate of the city is perfectly suited to the breezy style that's accentuated by bright whites, cool greys, and the softest pastel tones.

Arranged as an inspiring, meandering journey through a series of curated room sets, Thomas and the creative team has given context to their impressive collection, arranging unlikely textures and products together to showcase their versatility and provide their customers with a reference point to jump off from. Beginning with a stunning custom reception desk made from stone that looks like it's been ripped from a Roman ruin, visitors to the showroom are encouraged to wander through the warehouse at their own pace to allow themselves to be encapsulated by the luscious vibes that radiate from every corner. Harking back to their glamorous references, curves are abundant, not only in their product offerings but in archways and openings throughout the showroom to further accentuate the cool and calm atmosphere they've successfully implemented here. Gigantic tropical palm trees and well-placed greenery adds depth and allows you to feel like you've wandered into your very own minimalist dreamland. You can almost taste the salty ocean air as a cool breeze drifts through crisp plantation shutters and gives motion to the billowing sheer curtains. For interior design fanatics, this is what heaven looks like.