Our homes are much more than a place to sleep and eat. They are the stage for the various verticals of our lives, from work to play to our hobbies. Sydney-based FOLD Studio is solving the riddle of how we make our homes spatially flexible with gorgeous contemporary screens that take inspiration from golden eras of design. We are delighted that they will be showcasing their pieces at Decor + Design 2025, 16 – 18 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

FOLD Studio designs in-house and manufactures locally in collaboration with leading textile companies. It is the culmination of founder Pauline Ollmann’s lifelong love of textiles, craftsmanship and thoughtful design.

With a background in drafting and model making, Pauline worked with Foster + Partners administratively for over a decade and contributed to projects in London, Hong Kong and Frankfurt, including the Hong Kong Bank and Commerzbank. In Sydney, she has worked with Akin Atelier as a Studio Manager and also at Mokum/James Dunlop Textiles, helping designers select fabrics – an experience that deepened her understanding of form and material, and ultimately inspired the creation of FOLD Studio.

“I fell in love with the fall of fabric, how it drapes and shapes. I really wanted to give textiles a life beyond upholstery and curtains, which are not always in fashion at the moment,” says Pauline.

Chic Minimalism With Beautiful Functionality

These are no ordinary screens. FOLD’s minimalist aesthetic is deeply influenced by Pauline’s appreciation for timeless design — with references ranging from Coco Chanel’s Chinoiserie screens to John Pawson’s refined architectural restraint. Her aim was to reimagine the folding screen not just as a functional object, but as a piece of interior sculpture.

Each piece is crafted locally using beautiful sustainably-sourced timbers and high-quality textiles, in collaboration with a talented team of craftspeople. The result is a product where form and function seamlessly align, enhancing the flow of a room while also creating privacy and intimacy when needed.

With custom design, each client can select from the expansive Materials Library, and the collections are beautifully thought out.

The FABRIC FOLD collection is available in both readymade and bespoke designs and features double-sided fabric panels within sustainably-sourced timber frames.

Fully customisable in size, height, timber and textile, clients can choose from fabrics such as natural linen, rich velvet and bouclé.

The FABRIC FOLD collection allows for a variety of customised arrangements, finishes and price points. Clients can select from three or four panels, three heights and three timbers, or to greater individual requirements.

We also love DEFT from the WOVEN FOLD collection. It is a stunningly unique folding room divider, with a refined and detailed hardwood timber frame (pictured here in American White Oak). The timber frame is designed in conjunction with a local artisan furniture designer and maker, and available in a range of panels. The panels are constructed of a double-sided intricate danish paper cord weave known for its durability, sustainability and lasting design aesthetic.

The versatility of FOLD Studio’s pieces means they can be brilliantly harnessed in both residential and commercial settings, from residential homes to open-plan offices and wellness retreats.

FOLD Studio recently collaborated with a major Sydney engineering firm to create bespoke screens for a dedicated ‘Peace Room’;  a beautifully considered space for staff to retreat for meditation, prayer or quiet time throughout the day. They also worked with a boutique fashion store in Melbourne, designing a chic six-panel screen in rich walnut, paired with Mokum’s stunning Allium linen in black.

When it comes to residential, the possibilities are endless. Pauline says they recently worked with a client on separating an open plan dining and living room with a custom screen in velvet, creating breathing space for when the dining area became a ‘dumping ground’ for the assorted household detritus! The screens are a beautiful way for interior designers to give clients an flexibility ins paces (that are also aesthetically gorgeous).

Don’t miss a wonderful display of FOLD Studio screens at Decor + Design 2025, from 16–18 July at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. Visit Stand L58 to view their elegant collections and meet Pauline Ollmann in person. Register now to visit – entry to the exhibition is free but limited to trade visitors.

Follow FOLD Studio on Instagram @fold__studio | Website: www.foldstudio.com.au