- Interior
In 2021, Residence Studio was founded by interior design duo Laure Bebbington and Tara Dehbozorgi. Based in Brisbane, Residence Studio works on projects from the Sunshine Coast to the Gold Coast and even interstate projects. Specialising in high-end interior design, decoration and styling, their brand was born from the idea of embracing the unwritten: design that effortlessly blurs the line between luxury and curated interiors.
In 2022, they met Thessy and Yiota to understand what they wanted for their headquarters, SABO HQ. It was a challenging brief, focused on creating a Mediterranean ambience with organic and textural elements, which had to be contemporary and luxurious at the same time. The design concept for SABO HQ had to be sophisticated and timeless, but also reflect the brand's aesthetic, progressive and trendsetting. The colour palette was an important aspect of the design. It had to be neutral, yet striking enough to let Sabo's clothing be the hero of the space, while the interior complimented it. Fashion and interior go hand in hand according to Residence Studio, and this was evident in the design of SABO HQ. Sabo is a renowned brand that focuses on a youthful, feminine feel. This was translated into the interior through finishes and furniture in soft colours such as pink, peach and butter yellow, which added a youthful, feminine touch.
The design of SABO HQ stands out because it feels like a home, not a typical office. Sabo makes timeless garments that are always up-to-date with the latest trends, and Laure and Tara wanted this feel to be reflected in the interior as well. The unique way fashion was incorporated into the interior made this workspace unique in Brisbane.To realise the SABO HQ design, Residence Studio worked closely with Esat Design (architect) and Batspac (contractors). The architect created a solid foundation for the design, on which Residence Studio could base their finishes, fixtures and furniture. Zaheer from Esat was always open to collaboration, as was Batspac, resulting in a very collaborative process where everyone was open to working together and offering solutions when needed. 
The finishes and furniture are in soft colours such as pink, peach and butter yellow, which added a youthful, feminine touch
As with any large project, there were challenges. Residence Studio had to ensure that the interior selections would be timeless, so that they would not feel dated by the time the building was finished. Using a neutral palette meant that the interiors could easily be changed as Sabo evolved. They also had to choose finishes that had not often been seen in interiors so that the end result would feel fresh and new. A special aspect of the project was that SABO HQ also had to be a backdrop for photography. This meant that every corner of the space had to fit in with the whole, yet look different to create different photographic backgrounds. For example, each staircase was given a different finish so that different backgrounds were available for photographs.
One of Residence Studio's favourite spaces in this project was the staff lounge. They wanted to create something far removed from the boring lounges often found in office spaces. By playing with layered textures, they created a cosy and attractive space. Artworks really brought the space together with subtle colours that added a fun, young vibe. Another favourite element was the Brecciata stone in the kitchen, which was a standout feature for both Residence Studio and Thessy and Yiota. This stone brought a unique, sophisticated element to the design and highlighted SABO HQ's luxurious and progressive vision. 
With SABO HQ, Residence Studio has created a space that is not only functional and stylish, but also perfectly reflects the essence of the Sabo brand."
Photography: Brock Beazley Photography
Interior design and decoration: Residence Studio
Building design: Esat Design
Build: batspac
Text by Celien Hemelaer