Studio Y is an award-winning interior design agency in Melbourne that brings brand experiences to life.
We are relentless in our search for the why – we work hard to get to the essence of what makes you, and we carefully consider all design touchpoints to fully realise your unique vision.
Since our inception in 2012, we’ve drawn on our intrinsic understanding of hospitality and operations to craft joyful, intuitive and practical spaces that feel good to be in.
We seek to tell your story with every tile, chair and paint finish we select. That’s why understanding your brand, vision and customers is our priority.
Our collaborative approach ensures that your vision shines through in every detail, leading to spaces that feel authentic and lived-in, and translate into meaningful outcomes.
It’s not just about creating beautiful spaces; it’s about creating experiences that elevate your business to new heights.
Creative Director
Bachelor of Design (Interiors)
Long before founding Studio Y, Yaron was immersed in the world of hospitality; first working the floor in bars and restaurants abroad, then as the owner of his own boutique liquor brand, Y Chilli. His practice today is the synthesis of his years of industry experience, which have given him an innate understanding of the inner workings of hospitality and how to translate them into meaningful design outcomes.
Senior Associate Interior Designer
Diploma of Interior Decoration & Design
Mid-century enthusiast Tess is driven by anemoia – a longing for a time she’s never known – and her design philosophy reflects this, creating spaces that will stand the test of time. Her expertise in concept design blends vivid imagination with storytelling to craft compelling narratives. Tess effortlessly creates multi-layered finish palettes that blend texture and colour, while considering acoustics and lighting to craft spaces that engage all senses. She is committed to making things that last: unless it's a good negroni.
Senior Interior Designer
Bachelor of Industrial Design
With a grounding platform in Industrial and Building Design, Brady brings an honest and inquisitive approach to design. He combines innovation and a unique understanding of materiality, space and form through his own detail-oriented lens. Having worked both locally in Australia and in Europe for numerous years, his experience spans a varied collection of luxury retail, hospitality and Interior design projects. Brady’s background in industrial design brings an understanding of form and functionality.
Senior Interior Designer & BIM Manager
Diploma of Commercial Arts (Interior Decoration and Design)
Anna is our go-to gal for any projects that lean minimal and neutral (her favourite question to ask: ‘does it come in black?’). With a methodological approach to design and construction informed by her background in science, Anna’s work spans the design sectors of high-end and multi-residential, hotels, hospitality, commercial and government. When she’s not in the office, she’s ticking new countries off her to-travel-to list.
Interior Designer
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture)
Niamh believes in the responsibility of designers to design sustainably, no matter the scale of the project. At Studio Y, she aims to use design as a problem-solving tool to better the way we live, work and experience the built environment. Beyond her design skills, Niamh has an uncanny ability to cue up a great ‘00s tune as our in-house DJ.
Interior Designer
Bachelor of Design (Interior Architecture) (Honours)
Having moved to Melbourne at the age of twelve, Kristine spent her childhood in the Philippines cultivating a deep ambition to be an artist or designer. Her work today is an expression of her innate creativity, and as Studio Y’s resident sweet treat provider. Kristine also has experience on the retail side of interior design, working as a consultant in a tiling store post-graduation.
Studio Y at a glance
Years creating spaces
Spaces created
Local and international awards and nominations
Design budget entrusted to us
People have experienced Y spaces
Hours poured in to projects
Sleepless nights chasing big ideas
Nationalities combine to make up our diverse team
We’re honoured to count some of Australia’s most celebrated hospitality and retail brands amongst our mates, and lucky that they have no shortage of kind words to share about us.
Working with Studio Y to bring our Richmond taproom to life was an overwhelmingly positive experience. The team at Studio Y brought innovative design ideas and practices to the table that helped immensely in creating a space that we are incredibly proud of. Studio Y understands our business and their attention to detail and guidance during the build of our Richmond project is something we are very grateful for.
Benny Hooper, Founder
We selected Studio Y because they create brilliant hospitality experiences that people simply want to enjoy. Yaron and the Studio Y team deeply understood what Starward is about and demonstrated how we could immerse our visitors in the DNA of the brand. An amazing partnership.
Simon Marton, CEO
Studio Y brought to life our passion and ambition for whisky with an experience that will become as distinctive and internationally recognised as the liquid we craft inside the walls of our home.
David Vitale, Founder
The Speakeasy Group has thrived in its nine-year collaboration with Studio Y, marked by six significant projects, each presenting unique challenges and objectives. Studio Y continues to demonstrate profound insight into guest interaction dynamics and operational imperatives, elevating customer experiences and surpassing operational benchmarks.
When we began working with Studio Y, our briefs were very detailed without much wiggle room. Over the years, as we’ve built trust and a shared understanding of our goals, we provide a lot less detail.
Greg Sanderson, Founder
Studio Y and Confetti Studio are a dream team and I wouldn't trust anyone else with my restaurants. It's a bonus that they're great to have a beer with at the end of a project too."
Shane Delia, Founder
Studio Y is really in tune with hospitality. [Yaron] knows that you'll affect profitability if you change the design and lose seating. As a buyer it gives me the confidence I’m in safe hands. It’s not just a feel for design: it's got to make money.
My brief is always really clear in my head, but it can be tricky to decipher. Yaron helps me articulate what’s in my head. Studio Y absorb the brief really well. Their spaces feel lived in. Their spaces are designed to get bums on seats, not only to win awards.
Liam Ganley, Founder
I think I have some pretty clear ideas of what I like, but I can't bring these things to life without collaborators.
I enjoy that process and I don't want to do it on my own: and I love doing it with [Studio Y']. It's been a great journey.
Steve Jeffares, Co-Founder
From IDEA and Eat Drink Design, to international accolades such as the Restaurant & Bar Design Awards; we’re proud to have had our work recognised by our peers in the design world.
IDEA (Interior Design Excellence Awards)
Shortlisted – Starward Distillery & Bar (2024)
Shortlisted – Brick Lane Market (2024)
Restaurant & Bar Design Awards
Regional Winner – Nick and Nora’s (2021)
Shortlisted – The Bay Hotel (2022)
Shortlisted – Naught Gin (2022)
Shortlisted – Nick and Nora’s (2021)
Eat Drink Design
Shortlisted – Stomping Ground Morris Moor (2022)
Shortlisted – The Bay Hotel (2022)
Shortlisted - Naught Gin (2022)
Shortlisted – Nick and Nora’s (2021)
Shortlisted - The Sanderson (2024)
Melbourne Design Awards
Gold – Kost Bar & Grill (2024)
Shortlisted – Brick Lane Market (2024)
Shortlisted – Fox Friday (2024)
Shortlisted – Bridge Road Brewers Brunswick (2024)
Gold – The Bay Hotel (2023)
Gold – Mooii Melbourne Central (2023)
Silver – Stomping Ground Morris Moor (2023)
Silver – Naught Gin (2023)
Gold – Nick and Nora’s (2021)
Silver – St Kilda RSL (2021)
New York Design Awards
Gold – Nick and Nora’s (2021)
INDE Awards
Shortlisted – The Bay Hotel (2023)
collab@studioy.com.au
