From a young girl rearranging furniture and creating vignettes in her family home in Melbourne, to an international career in interiors, Juanita Marlowe has always had a passion for the transformative power of design.
After years living in Los Angeles and working with some of the biggest names in the business, Juanita is now back in Melbourne and has launched Somerset St, a curation of exquisite artisan collections for interior designers, architects and high-end residential projects.
Serif – Floor Lamp – Leather Wave
Founded in 2023, Somerset Street specialises in representing artisan designers whose work stands apart. The curated collections feature bespoke furniture, handcrafted lighting, and architectural elements that cannot be found elsewhere. From exquisite surfaces from UK-based Giles Miller Studio to French oak chairs and luxurious leather mirrors from Mercoeur Edition, each piece that’s found on Somerset St embodies glamour, individuality, and craftsmanship.
Founded on a Sophisticated Global Perspective
Juanita’s design career began in Los Angeles, where she pursued her studies in interior design at the prestigious Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). This early start immersed her in a world of creativity and innovation, and her time interning with notable designers during the 1990s shaped her understanding of the industry.
With over 25 years of global experience, Juanita has worked with some of the biggest names in the design world, including Ken Fulk, Nicole Hollis, Martyn Lawrence Bullard, and SFA Design. She has also held senior leadership roles with prominent international suppliers, overseeing luxury residential, five-star hospitality, and high-profile commercial projects across the US and Australia. She understands what goes into a project, the importance of immaculate delivery and the enormous difference the smallest production selection makes.
Her portfolio includes collaborations with major film and TV studios like Warner Bros., NBCUniversal, and Fox Studios, as well as iconic projects such as the Long Island Railroad in New York City, The Kimpton Hotel, and IHG properties in San Francisco. This extensive experience laid the foundation for Somerset Street, allowing her to combine her global outlook with an appreciation for bespoke artistry.
Somerset Street Taps Into the Best in Artisan Luxury
Somerset Street was inspired by both Juanita’s international career and her childhood memories. Named after the street she grew up on in Melbourne, the brand reflects the warmth, community, and creativity of her family home, which was a gathering place for friends and family.
“I want to offer something unique—products that architects and designers haven’t seen before,” Juanita explains. “It’s about bringing a sense of discovery and inspiration to the design community.”
Assorted surface samples from Giles Millers Studio.
Your Local Go-To for Global Luxe
While based in Melbourne, Somerset Street has a growing network of clients across Australia and internationally. Juanita works closely with leading architectural firms, as well as boutique designers. Her plans for 2025 include expanding across the region, introducing her carefully curated collections to new markets.
Somerset Street’s artisans, such as UK-based designer Giles Miller (surfaces pictured top image and throughout article) bring a
distinctive aesthetic that appeals to both residential and commercial projects.
Giles Miller Studio was founded in 2011 by Giles Miller, a British artist who works in surface, structure, and sculpture. He collaborates with his team to produce award-winning works for global clients, including BBC Studios, British Airways, Hermes, Harrods, Tiffany & Co, and Omega Watches.
His sensational surfaces are inspired by neuroscientific findings relating to biophilia, form, scale, texture, and colour set the sensory intentions of every piece. And ongoing input from experts in the neuroscientific field inspires the studio’s creative direction.
The pieces in Somerset St’s collection stand apart thanks to their exquisite craftsmanship. A case in point is the Pulse armchair, crafted in Paris by Mercoeur Edition, in collaboration with Seigneur upholsterers. Its beautiful cascade of pleats structures the thick velvet, while the wooden trimming is a paean to the beauty of cabinetmaking.
Pulse Armchair in French Oak or Walnut
With lead times of only 6-14 weeks, Somerset Street ensures a seamless process for delivering these stunning pieces to clients for special projects.
A Commitment to Relationships
Juanita says that one of Somerset Street’s points of difference is her ability to build meaningful relationships within the design industry. Having spent years working in both Australia and the United States, she understands the nuances of each market.
“Melbourne designers value relationships. It’s about showing them not just the product but who you are,” she says. “In LA, it can be more about taking risks and embracing the new. That balance of perspectives has shaped how I approach Somerset Street.”
Stroll Down Somerset St at Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) 2025
After a successful show in 2024, Somerset Street will be returning to Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF) in 2025. Juanita is excited about the opportunity to connect with new audiences. “The show is a fantastic platform to engage with designers and architects, not just from Melbourne but across Sydney and Brisbane as well,” she notes.
For Juanita, Somerset Street is more than a business—it’s a way to champion exquisite craftsmanship and elevate design. By bringing extraordinary global artisans together with innovative designers and architects in Australia, she is creating a space where creativity thrives and beautiful ideas come to life.
Don’t miss seeing the latest collections from Somerset St at Decor + Design & The Australian International Furniture Fair (AIFF), 16th – 18th July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Australia’s premier interior design trade event, an expected 10,000+ design trade visitors from across the country will attend to see 200+ exhibitors across indoor and outdoor furniture, soft furnishings, textiles and art. Register your interest now to receive information on the show, as well as trends from the wider world of interiors.