What’s in a Name - Studio Materi

We’re often asked where the name Studio Materi comes from. As this is our first journal post, it felt right to begin there…

When we were shaping the identity of the studio, one of the first questions we asked ourselves was how best to express our approach to design. The word we kept coming back to was materiality.

As we spent more time with the idea, it became clear that materiality sits at the heart of everything we do - shaping atmosphere, influencing emotion, and defining how a space is experienced. It is the substance and presence of materials, and the way they are brought together, that gives a space its depth, warmth and sense of ease.

The name Studio Materi grew naturally from this process. Materi is an Indonesian word meaning material or substance, and it reflects our belief that materials are fundamental to both the character and relevance of a space.

At Studio Materi, materials are never just a backdrop to be filled in later. They are integral to how a space feels, how it functions, and how it is lived in.

Materiality: warmth without excess

What we also value about the idea of materiality is its broader meaning. Beyond the physical, it speaks to significance and relevance - to what truly matters.

For us, materiality is how warmth enters a space without visual noise. Through careful selection and restraint, pared-back interiors can feel calm and architectural while remaining inviting and human, rather than stark or impersonal.

Good interior design, in our view, is about prioritising elements that are meaningful and enduring - those that quietly support daily life and continue to feel right over time.

A pared-back, layered approach

Studio Materi is known for interiors that feel calm, composed and quietly luxurious. We work with restrained palettes and natural materials, allowing layering and texture to create richness rather than relying on overt decoration.

Warmth is achieved through nuance: the right tone of timber, the softness of a fabric, the tactility of stone, the subtle dialogue between finishes. We take time selecting materials that sit comfortably together, allowing depth and contrast to emerge without competing for attention.

Colour plays an important role too, but it is used with intention - often in the form of warm, earthy tones that complement materials rather than dominate them.

Materials that age well

A core part of our approach is an appreciation for materials that age gracefully. We are not afraid of natural stones that show variation, veining or markings, or metals that develop patina over time. These changes are not imperfections, but part of a material’s story - and part of what gives a space its character.

Rather than striving for surfaces that remain untouched, we favour materials that respond to time and use, becoming richer and more characterful as they are lived with. Timber softens, stone reveals depth, metals deepen in tone. This evolution brings warmth and authenticity, allowing spaces to feel grounded rather than precious.

Designing with ageing in mind creates interiors that feel comfortable, enduring and reassuring - spaces that grow with the people who inhabit them.

Materiality in practice: Oliphant Street

This approach can be seen clearly in practice in our BIID Awards shortlisted Oliphant Street project.

Here, a clean, architectural interior is softened through the careful layering of materials. Natural stone introduces weight and tactility, while mixed metals add warmth and subtle contrast. Textural elements bring depth without visual clutter, allowing the space to remain calm and composed.

The interior is further enriched by the client’s carefully curated art collection, enabling the space to express something personal and individual. Material selection becomes a framework through which personality can emerge, rather than a fixed aesthetic imposed on the space.

Spaces that feel personal

For us, warmth is inseparable from individuality. A space should reflect the person who lives there or the people who use it - not just a style, reference or moment in time.

Careful material selection plays a central role in this. Fabrics, finishes and surfaces are chosen not only for their visual qualities, but for how they are experienced: how they soften a room, respond to light, and support everyday life.

This approach allows interiors to feel expressive and personal, without ever becoming noisy or overworked.

Designing for longevity

Materiality is also about time. By prioritising quality, relevance and longevity, we create interiors that remain considered and reassuring long after completion.

Rather than designing for immediate impact alone, we design spaces intended to be lived in, worn gently, and appreciated over years rather than moments - often becoming better with time.

What matters, materially

Ultimately, Studio Materi reflects our belief that the most successful interiors balance restraint with warmth, and clarity with character. By giving careful attention to materiality - in both its physical and conceptual sense - we create spaces that are calm, considered and deeply personal.

Materiality is not just where our name comes from.
It is how our spaces feel - now, and as they are lived in over time.