Duet’s Immersive Design For Comma Byron Bay
Guided by ritual and inspired by the first light of day, Duet’s design for Comma Byron Bay redefines self-care through colour, texture, and form—offering a luminous space for pause and renewal.
Words HANDE RENSHAW Photos ANSON SMART Interior Design & Decoration DUET Editorial Stying OLGA LEWIS Build KICK BUILDING
A layered interplay of sculptural forms, warm textures, and curated objects defines Comma Byron Bay’s reception, where Duet’s bold palette and bespoke detailing set the tone for a sensorial journey within.
A warm and playful lounge setting at Comma Byron Bay.
‘We endeavoured to create a space that relieves the visitor of those pre-treatment nerves with a space worthy of inquisitiveness, fostering a sense of belonging and a constant feeling of being at ease, enveloped in warmth,’ says Shannon Shlom.
Natural textures and sculptural forms meet in quiet harmony at Comma Byron Bay.
The mixed media of materials allows for a submersion of the senses.
“We wanted the space to glow—physically, yes, but also emotionally. It’s not just about aesthetics, it’s about evoking a feeling and creating an atmosphere that lingers.”
In a cocoon of moody hues and sculptural accents, Comma’s treatment lounge invites quiet introspection.
‘The journey through the public spaces, bath house, plunge pool area and treatment rooms at Comma is about taking one’s time,’ says Dominique Brammah.
A rich palette of deep burgundy and burnt orange adds warmth and depth to the shower zone, where thoughtful styling and material contrast elevate the everyday ritual.
Every element in the shower space from the burgundy tiles to the terracotta-toned accents, was selected to heighten the sensory experience.
The bathroom zone features a custom stainless steel and tadelakt plaster vanity.
Tucked above the ebb and flow of Byron Bay, Comma is not your typical wellness space. Designed by Duet, the concept bathhouse invites visitors into a richly immersive environment—where colour, light, and materiality are used to ground, uplift, and transport.
The space marks the second location for Comma, founded by Susie McIntosh, and reimagines what modern self-care can look and feel like through bold, unexpected design.
Comma’s ethos is centred on slowing down, and for Susie the interior experience needed to reflect that intention from the moment guests arrived. With a longstanding creative connection, Susie invited Duet to bring her vision to life—beginning with the reception and public-facing areas.
‘We’ve known Susie for nearly a decade,’ says Dominique, co-director at Duet. ‘There was a beautiful creative trust between us from the start. She really encouraged us to push beyond the typical and create something emotionally resonant.’
Drawing from the early light of Cape Byron—the first place on the Australian mainland to see the sun—the team developed a design concept around the idea of dawn. ‘There’s something really special about that moment—the stillness, the quiet light, the feeling of possibility,’ adds Shannon Shlom, Duet’s co-director. ‘It became a guiding thread for the entire spatial experience.’
Rather than lean into minimalism, Duet embraced a bolder palette. High-gloss surfaces and layered materials are used to create a radiant environment that feels both energising and calming. A warm biscuit tone wraps walls and ceilings, anchoring vibrant hues of rust, buttercup yellow, deep mustard, and flashes of neon orange.
‘We wanted the space to glow—physically, yes, but also emotionally,’ says Shannon. ‘It’s not just about aesthetics; it’s about evoking a feeling, creating an atmosphere that lingers.’
Guests enter via stairs that lead to a luminous reception anchored by a sculptural banquette crafted from salvaged timber, paired with jute and leather upholstery. A neon artwork by Ryan Hoffmann glows above. The journey then flows through an intimate lounge with hand-painted mirrored panels and custom timber joinery, gradually softening into the bathhouse beyond.
‘There’s a rhythm to the space,” Dominique says. ‘Each zone transitions intuitively—moving from the energising to the restorative, always with a sense of gentle arrival.’
