JAMES SAID MELBOURNE

Australian luxury furniture brand James Said’s new flagship store with a wine bar sits in a historic property restored by Sydney-based interior designer Greg Natale.

Portrait of Tammy Strobel

Australian luxury furniture brand James Said’s new flagship store with a wine bar sits in a historic property restored by Sydney-based interior designer Greg Natale.

In Melbourne, the James Said flagship store spans 15,069 sq ft.

The James Said flagship store, which opened last year in Melbourne, Australia, spans 15,069 sq ft and has two levels. It occupies all of the 107-year-old Armadale building, which started out as the 1,200-seat Armadale Picture Theatre in 1912 and then went through several transitions – from a vaudevillian playhouse to a toy factory, and then an auction house and an indoor ski school with a ski slope.

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From left: The grand staircase leads to the main showroom and more; The heritage property features original architectural elements and contemporary settings.

Elegant and spacious, James Said Melbourne features original architectural elements and contemporary settings, thanks to the vision of interior designer Greg Natale, who created a delicate interplay between different periods. The remaining grand columns and arches dialogue with lustrous chandeliers and mirrored decor in an airy, light-filled atmosphere. 

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The space includes 20 rooms, each with a different furniture style, and a wine bar that serves food.

Good to know

James Said, which also has stores in Perth and Sydney, is an Australian brand famed for its high-end Hollywood Regency-style furniture designs as well as its interior design services.

Divided into 20 rooms, each with a different variety of furniture styles, black stained timber floors throughout tie the areas together. A grand staircase leads from the accessories and wine bar up to the main showroom, an open plan interactive design studio with sample and fabric libraries, as well as meeting rooms. 

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The private dining room in Le Plonc, its incredible wine selection and luxurious lounge seating.

Thanks to this full-scale experience, shoppers can visualise how each piece can be used in their interiors before they purchase the items at touch-screen sales bars in the store. 

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From left: Greg Natale is a master of the art of creating glamorous and chic spaces; The private dining room in Le Plonc, its incredible wine selection and luxurious lounge seating.

Within the main showroom is Le Plonc, a boutique wine bar that originated in California. Comprising a mix of lounge areas, bar seating, banquettes, chairs and tables, it also serves lunch, high tea and dinner, and has an arched private dining room for special events.

Its walls, furniture upholstery, including the velvet chairs, and fluted wall treatments are all a deep blue ombre. A patterned sofa, metallic elements and opulent chandeliers as well as mirrors add boldness to the space.

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The private dining room in Le Plonc, its incredible wine selection and luxurious lounge seating.

A PATTERNED SOFA, METALLIC ELEMENTS, AND OPULENT CHANDELIERS AND MIRRORS ADD BOLDNESS TO THE WINE BAR.

Known for his audacious use of pattern and colour, and his love of geometric and organic designs, Natale is a master of the art of creating glamorous and chic spaces, whether for the commercial or residential world.

To learn more about the James Said Melbourne store, visit www.jamessaid.com.au/stores-melbourne.html.

Photos ANSON SMART