Love Isabelle on Designing a Store That Feels Like Home

Love Isabelle opens the doors to its Melbourne flagship, reimagining retail through the lens of a nostalgic living room. Designed in collaboration with Coffey Hallett, the High Street space moves away from convention, creating an intimate, residential setting where jewellery is experienced rather than displayed. We sit with Isabelle to reflect on the journey behind the space.

01 What was your vision for the Love Isabelle Melbourne Flagship, and how did you want it to feel on arrival?

For every Love Isabelle space, I’ve always wanted each location to stand on its own and offer a unique, slightly unexpected experience, while still feeling true to the brand. For Melbourne, I was drawn to something moodier and more atmospheric - a direction I haven’t been able to explore in our coastal Sydney and Byron locations. In collaboration with Coffey Hallett, we designed a living room inspired retail space that feels both intimate and inviting. It reflects where the Love Isabelle brand is heading: warm, moody, and designed as a place to connect and unwind, far removed from the feel of a traditional jewelry store.

02 Your work is deeply rooted in craftsmanship. How did that ethos translate into the design of the space?

We were really intentional about the materials we chose, focusing on pieces and materials that were considered, tactile, and built to last. It felt important that this translated beyond the jewellery and into the space itself. My aim was to create something that feels inviting, thoughtful, and considered.

03 The Winter Dining Table sits at the centre of the store. What drew you to it as the hero piece?

The Winter Dining Table brought our entire space together. The chrome organic detailing integrated under the glass top gives a unique twist on a traditional glass table with the round-edged chrome legs draw you to it. Placing it at the centre of the store shifts the experience from transactional to something more personal and immersive. It invites customers to sit, and engage with the pieces in a more relaxed, considered way - much like you would in your own home. 

04 How did you approach styling the Wilbur Side Tables within the retail environment?

Alongside the Winter Dining Table, we wanted to introduce more stainless steel elements to tie all the finishes together. I’ve always loved the versatility of nesting tables; the way they can move and adapt within a space, much like in a home setting. In our space, they shift easily between functions: from front window displays to coffee tables beside the sofa, or scattered throughout the cabinetry as subtle styling moments. That flexibility allows the space to feel more lived-in and dynamic.

05 How does this new flagship reflect the evolution of Love Isabelle, and the woman you design for today?

The opening of our Melbourne boutique really captures the direction Love Isabelle is moving in. Creating conceptual spaces, rather than traditional retail stores is a very intentional shift that sets us apart from a brand perspective. Blending vintage tones with modern finishes across our boutiques and creating intentional themes in each space has allowed the brand to evolve into something I'm really proud of. If we’re inviting people into our stores, it’s important that the experience feels special — somewhere they can truly enjoy their time and feel welcomed.