Matter Studio: Where Every Project is a Masterpiece

With a passion for transforming spaces into exquisite living environments that embody sophistication, comfort and contemporary design, Matter Studio’s approach is rooted in a profound understanding of their client’s needs and aspirations.

“We envision every project as a masterpiece, uniquely reflecting the tastes and lifestyles of its inhabitants,” says the studio.

Founded in Cape Town in 2016, the studio has designed and executed global projects, spanning residential, hospitality and commercial sectors.

The latest such project is a small apartment. Employing a patina of honest materials that convey a meaningful spatial narrative, Matter Studio started by opening up the spaces to get a better spatial flow and increase the perception of space. To this end, they also settled on the same floor and wall finish throughout the project so that the spaces would read as a unity and not as small separate spaces.

Briefed to create a calm, honest space, the team kept the colour palette consistent throughout the spaces and used textures to differentiate the areas.

“The biggest challenge and joy of this project was that most of the furniture pieces were custom-made, one-off, and antique pieces that we had to source and carefully curate,” they add. “We sourced from local brands and antique shops to reflect a local narrative and present an honest sense of place.”

The result is a tranquil abode that may be small in square meterage but is big on character.

“Our favourite moment is late summer afternoons when the tree shadows start moving through the apartment and the ceiling fan slowly moves cool air around. These dynamics add an extra layer to the slow-living interior of the space.”