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From Mimco stores to townhouses, the DesignOffice duo go for ‘complex simplicity’

July 28, 2014

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Originally beginning as the Australian office of one of Londonโ€™s leading firms, Universal Design Studio, it wasnโ€™t until 2011 that all the power (and the pressure!) was transferred to Damien Mulvihill and Mark Simpson, as the office transitioned to become their very own firm, DesignOffice.

Design-Office-Portrait0904-cropped-529x571
Damien and Mark

โ€œI never had any plans to set up my own studio but when the opportunity came up to join the new Melbourne studio of Universal it was too good an opportunity to miss,โ€ explains Damien. โ€œDesignOffice was a very natural progression a few years later and although weโ€™re now a separate business, we still think of Universal as a sister company. It’s great to have a wider network of experience and support, both locally and globally.โ€

Having now run their own interior design and architecture practice for the last three years, they work across a range of sectors. For them, itโ€™s all about meeting their clientsโ€™ needs, whether that be designing an exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum, working on the new store layout at Witchery and Mimco or creating a temporary bar for Space Furniture. โ€œAt their heart, our projects should be a direct response to the clientโ€™s brief,โ€ says Mark. โ€œThis involves a process of listening, observing and questioning before creating what we hope to be original and authentic responses, tailored to their brief and brand.โ€

Mimco Melbourne
Mimco Melbourne

With a core team of four, they’re receiving some well deserved attention, including winning Best in State for Commercial Design at this yearโ€™s Interior Design Awards. And while they clearly have a strong connection with commercial and retail design, it is their recently completed residential development that they are particularly excited about.ย โ€œWe recently had a great experience working on our first residential development doing the interiors for the Park & Raphael Townhouses,โ€ explains Mark. โ€œThe client, Kalex, genuinely wanted to challenge the notion of a townhouse development, tailoring the approach directly to the lifestyles of their target audience and it is these opportunities to respond to a client’s ambition which excite us.โ€

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Park & Raphael Townhouses
Kalex-PR22893-621x465
Park & Raphael Townhouses

With a style that has been called complex simplicity, their projects, while differing dramatically, have an underlying consistency that includes craft and materiality and a specific interest in colour and light. By keeping their studio small, theyย have also ensured that their style remains constant, with both Damian and Mark working on every single one of their projects. โ€œWe can be personally involved in every project,โ€ explains Mark. โ€œAs well as this, we still get to work closely with the contractors and craftspeople who bring it all to fruition.โ€

Damian and Mark see their friendship as the most important ingredient inย the success of their practice. โ€œI would never attempt to run my own studio without a business partner who I genuinely respect and genuinely like — you will spend a lot of time together,โ€ says Damian. โ€œRunning your own studio is incredibly rewarding, but also a lot of work, soย two heads are better than one!โ€

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While we featured a gloriously colourful home on M While we featured a gloriously colourful home on Monday, this one is a masterclass in serene neutrals! And how good is this bunk room?!

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Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible Washable rugs, eco-friendly play mats, reversible linen, gorgeous wallpaper and the chance to win a beautiful bouclรฉ recliner chair!

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Via link in bio now.

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โ€œI wanted something spectacular. Rather than having a vanity with a piece of glass like you would typically see, I was really trying to push myself as a designer. It was costly but it worked out well and the feedback has been great."

Swipe for the before and follow the link in bio to see the rest of this home.

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One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavet One half of popular parenting podcast @wedonthavetimeforthis, turns out former Neighbours actor @gemma_peanut is even more multi-talented than we thought! Will you check out the joyful and colourful reno of her holiday home (and airbnb) @yo_caba_caba?!

Head over to the blog via link in bio to read all about why she went bold and full of pattern in this project, which is a stark contrast to her zen and neutral Northern Beaches abode.

There's also plenty of details about where things are from etc.

"Iโ€™m not an interior designer so I just chose what I liked and followed my gut. Ultimately this home has been an opportunity to explore my alter ego โ€“ it allowed me to do things that I wouldnโ€™t normally do.โ€

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I still cannot believe we have been friends since we were 12! 12! Are you still close with your childhood besties?
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Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’— Me and my boys ๐Ÿ’—
Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for thr Just a couple of dorks who've been friends for three decades going out for a child-free dinner ๐Ÿ’“๐Ÿ˜
Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damia Excuse me while I die of a cute attack ๐Ÿฅฐ @damianfrancis 

This doesn't happen often these days!
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About Olivia Shead

When she's not writing for Interiors Addict, Olivia is now a TV and radio news producer. She's a journalism graduate of UTS Sydney.

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