The Ray White boutique in Rose Bay was designed to feel synonymous with the opulent residences it represents. “This is where we show prospective buyers high-end apartments to buy off the plan,” says Daniel Ungar, associate director of Ray White. “We wanted the reception area to be modern, inviting and different. Smac Studio transformed the original retail shell into a relaxed opulent space. It’s very different from what our competitors have done.”

Conceived by Smac Studio, the layout was delineated into three distinct sections. Firstly, the vestibule where clients are welcomed by a series of vast viola marble slabs serving as reception desks. “It feels like a brutal cutting of a huge marble block — heavy and luxe,” says Shona McElroy, founder of Smac Studio. “The way it’s carved creates the illusion of different slabs floating on top of each other.”

A semi-circular window paired with a softly curved custom-designed couch by Smac Studio serves as the waiting room. From there, clientele cross into the meeting room lacquered with walnut timber joinery and featuring an ebonised dining table for discussions. The room is flanked by a viola marble bench and splashback.

“The dining set is sculptural and chic,” says McElroy. “When clients are here I want them to get excited about the potential of their home — that it could have the same high-quality design and details.”

Related: Harbour views with Hammond Studio

Undeniably beautiful, the design wasn’t without its challenges. Measuring just 24 square metres with an internal width of 3.2 metres, the brief required the revered studio to think outside the intimate-sized box — literally — and incorporate design features that create the illusion of far greater scale. To this end, Smac Studio incorporated expansive screens to display artists’ impressions of developments. “I recessed the main TV into a bronze mirror to soften it,” adds McElroy. “The mirror also reflects light making the space appear bigger.”

Smac Studio
smacstudio.com.au

Smac Studio’s Shona McElroy set to feature in panel event