STEP INSIDE LUXURY BOUTIQUE HOTEL MELO STUDIOS

Jessica and Michael are the curators behind Melo Studios, an architectural bespoke accommodation located in Dunsborough, Western Australia.

Designed for the ephemeral magic of short holidays, the pair derived aesthetic inspiration from native Eucalyptus Caesia trees. The two studios are aptly named ‘Eucalyptus’ and ‘Caesia’, each characterising the congruent features of the tree: the leaves and flowers.

Their thoughtful approach to creating temporary stays is certain to leave travellers with permanent memories. We are honoured to have our products intertwined with this beautiful project.

“Melo Studios began as a dream to bring Michael home full time after working away on the mines for 15 years as a mining engineer and superintendent. Having three small kids (three, six and seven) and him not being with us for all of those special moments, celebrations, and just the normal day-to-day was really hard.”

“Luckily we live in a gorgeous seaside town called Dunsborough in the Margaret River Region of Western Australia, home to amazing surf, wine and food, a popular holiday destination only 3 hours from Perth. So began our project…over 5 years in the making, a huge dream that’s finally complete. I think we’ll always look back and laugh at the kids’ complaints every time we told them we were going to the studios to work, in that same conversation explaining that it meant Dad could be at home with us every night.”

“We are literally still pinching ourselves that we did it… he’s home!”

“The concept behind Melo Studios centres around the Eucalyptus Caesia tree or ‘Gungurru’, a stunning Western Australian Mallee. The first studio is named ‘Eucalypt’ and styled in sage greens and greys which represent the leaves of the tree. The ‘Caesia’ studio represents the pink flowers of the Gungurru and is styled using hints of dusty rose, terracotta and pinks.”

“From the very start, we wanted to create spaces for short term accommodation that were luxurious and compact without the usual greys, whites and neutrals. Because guests are only staying for a short time, we wanted to create something that was a bit of an experience and a bit ‘spesh’ to their home. We wanted to make the most of the nature reserve that frames the property; we achieved this through large-format windows that allow views through to the reserve and a lot of light.”

“We decided to use ABI products as they offered what we were looking for in terms of styling, minimalism and that they also came at a price point that suited our budget. The two products that we fell in love with were the floor-mounted bath spout and the mixer and spout set. We also just had to have a bit of BLING… the brushed brass fixtures we used throughout the bathrooms create a feeling of romance and luxe; they also stand out and soften the space adding warmth.”

“Design has a direct impact on our mood and the way we feel, and it’s important that our guests feel relaxed and pampered during their stay and when they leave hence the name ‘Melo’. We want them to have an indulgent experience. To complement the studios, we offer gourmet breakfast hampers, cheese platters, sparkling water, coffee bag gifts, artisan bath bombs and luxury body care products.”

“Yes! Use professionals to get the best outcome. Architect, interior designer and a builder who can understand and deliver your vision. Look at what everyone else is doing, but do something different. There’s a very fine line between styling and clutter, we designed the spaces to be very pared back. 1, because it’s easier to clean, and 2, when a space is less cluttered it allows guests to relax.”

“We incorporated a lockable cleaning cupboard and linen drop into the design so we didn’t need to build separate storage areas to the main buildings. In the laundry, we added a washer/dryer (it does both) which dramatically saved on space. We chose not to have an oven or cooktop, mainly because we are very close to town so guests can grab takeaway and it reduces the cleaning time. We also purchased a vac mop for cleaning, (it vacuums and mops in one) it cleans rugs and helps reduce the cleaning time over a normal vacuum then mop.”

To capture the essence of an idea and share it with strangers within a temporary context is an interesting challenge; one that Jessica and Michael have succeeded in animating. Their drive for ‘joie de vivre’ in the finite landscape of life is a poetic message that permeates throughout the beauty of Melo Studios. The thematic story of each dwelling and the thoughtful details within its core comes from wanting to create a better life.
A gift they wish for you to open one day too.