Step Inside Flowe Interiors | The Secrets to Creating Thoughtful Spaces

Step into Flowe Interiors, and it’s easy to see why this Melbourne studio has quietly been reshaping how we live in and love our spaces. Founded in 2009 by Fiona Lowe, the studio grew from a simple idea: design should feel personal, functional, and beautiful, with every detail considered for how a space is experienced.

Central to Fiona’s approach is relaxed, everyday luxury. Functional, timeless, and aesthetically refined, each project is layered thoughtfully to elevate the ordinary into something memorable. From their Elsternwick studio, Fiona and her team guide clients through every stage of the design journey, combining creativity with precision. Using Project Studio, they bring concepts to life, making the process collaborative, clear, and visual.

We sat down with Fiona to explore her design journey and learn how Project Studio helps her streamline communication, involve clients meaningfully, and translate ideas into spaces that feel both intentional and lived-in.

Tell us a bit about Flowe Interiors, how it came to be, and what types of projects you work on.

Founded in 2009 by Fiona Lowe, Flowe Interiors is a Melbourne-based studio born from a clear vision: to deliver personalised, inspiring design solutions that balance beauty and function. We bring a multidisciplinary edge—drawing from extensive experience in high-end residential, commercial, and retail design (including retail design management on both static centres and major developments).

Our aesthetic? Relaxed, everyday luxury—spaces that feel as good as they look. We focus on how spaces will be lived in, not just admired, with a knack for detail that elevates the everyday to something extraordinary.

Located in Elsternwick, our approach is intimate yet ambitious—working closely with each client from concept to completion—crafting spaces that are functional, timeless, tailored, and truly one-of-a-kind.

How do you use Project Studio within your design process?

Project Studio has become an integral part of our design workflow at Flowe, particularly during the early concept stage. Many clients find it challenging to interpret technical drawings or finishes boards when they’re presented separately, and Project Studio helps bridge that gap. The mood board tool within Style Sourcebook allows us to clearly communicate the visual aesthetic of a design, while giving clients the opportunity to provide more informed feedback. We love that we can upload not just images, but also PNGs of materials, finishes, and fixtures—it makes the process both creative and collaborative. Another key advantage is having the ability to store documents from every stage of the design journey in one central place. Instead of clients scrolling through endless emails, they can easily access everything they need in one spot, which streamlines communication and keeps the project moving forward seamlessly.

Do you have any tips for other designers using Project Studio? 

Certainly! Here are a few tips we’ve found invaluable:

• Label everything clearly: Eg “Timber tone – warmer,” or “Textured fabric – option A” helps guide client decision-making.

• Use placeholders: Even if you don’t yet have finalised specs or imagery, placeholders let clients visualise the progression.

• Invite feedback the right way: Encourage clients to comment directly in the project, keeping all feedback contextual and easy to respond to.

• Keep visuals balanced: Include both mix imagery-style mood boards and technical elevations/drawings on each page. It'll allow for the client to get a better sense of the design.

• Iterate visibly: Rather than replacing content silently, duplicate mood boards or drawings and layer variations (e.g. “Option 1,” “Option 2”). It shows the journey and helps clients feel part of the process.

• Be creative with the mood boards: Add shadows to create depth, create your own PNGs from images online, add text or your logo to the mood board, etc.

These little gestures can make Project Studio not just a tool, but a powerful communication bridge between designers and clients.

What does a typical day look like in your studio?

A typical day at Flowe Interiors begins with a team catch-up over coffee, where we run through all the projects on the go, what steps are needed to keep them moving, and upcoming deliverables. From there, we dive straight into work.

Clients often visit our studio for presentations, where we walk them through design concepts and explore ideas together in our small but mighty materials library. Our Elsternwick location on Glen Huntly Road also means we’re spoiled for lunch choices—Bissel B is a favourite, and we’ll happily call a “team meeting” just for an excuse to grab bagels together.

We also love hosting our suppliers, who regularly drop by to update our library. Over the years, many have become friends, so visits often turn into a quick catch-up as well as a sourcing session.

Afternoons are usually our focused work time—the tunes on, plans and drawings spread out, and plenty of momentum to get as much done as possible before the day wraps up.

If you’re ready to bring your ideas to life like Fiona, create a mood board and unlock access to Project Studio to transform your designs and bring spaces to life.