Turf Placemats at a Byron Bay Wellness Retreat
In February 2026, a private resort in Byron Bay became the setting for an immersive wellness retreat that redefined modern luxury, grounded not in excess but in intention. Designed and curated by ONSO Atelier for Chemist Warehouse and Melrose Future Labs, the three-day experience brought together a select group of guests to explore the evolving science of longevity and healthy ageing.
At the heart of the retreat was a simple but profound philosophy. Wellbeing is cumulative. Through a series of thoughtfully curated experiences, guests were guided across the essential pillars of vitality, including nutrition, movement, sleep, genetics, mental wellbeing, and social connection. Melrose Future Labs’ science-led approach anchored the program, emphasising cellular health and energy metabolism as the foundation for long-term wellness.
Among the many carefully considered details, one element stood out for its originality: freshly cut turf placemats.
Where Nature Meets the Table
The concept was as unexpected as it was striking. Nicole of ONSO Atelier envisioned dining tables set not with traditional linens, but with living, breathing pieces of landscape. Individual squares of lush turf were cut fresh and placed beneath each setting.
To bring this vision to life, Tyagarah Turf, a family-run farm located just 15 minutes from Byron Bay, was commissioned to create 24 bespoke placemats, each measuring 500 millimetres by 500 millimetres.
“It was a completely unique request,” the team recalls. “We had never produced anything like it before, but that is what made it so exciting.”
Before sunrise on the day of delivery, the process began. A carefully selected section of TifTuf turf, chosen for its vibrant colour and slightly longer blade, was harvested in larger slabs. Rather than reconfiguring machinery for such a small run, the team opted for a more hands-on approach. Each piece was meticulously measured and hand-cut.
The finishing touch lay in the handling. Each square was stacked grass to grass to preserve its integrity and prevent soil transfer, ensuring the final presentation was as refined as the concept itself.
Delivery to the venue, Belle Helena Private Resort, was a moment in itself. Set at the end of a winding, tree-lined drive, the property offered a secluded, natural backdrop that perfectly complemented the event’s ethos.
As the installation came together, the turf placemats transformed the dining experience, blurring the line between environment and design. The result was both tactile and visual, a tablescape that quite literally grounded guests in nature.
For Nicole and her team, the outcome was exactly as envisioned. For Tyagarah Turf, it was an opportunity to step beyond traditional applications and contribute to a creative project in a new way.
Cultivating More Than Turf
Established in 1979, Tyagarah Turf has grown into a respected supplier within the Northern Rivers region, servicing areas from Iluka to the Queensland border and inland to Lismore, Casino, and Kyogle. Now part of the Lawn Solutions Australia network, the farm has undergone significant transformation under current ownership.
In recent years, progress has not come without challenges. Severe weather events and repeated flooding have tested both resilience and resolve. Through persistence and a commitment to quality, the farm has steadily evolved and now produces a range of premium turf varieties.
Beyond the product itself, what stands out is a deep connection to the industry. “It is more than just business,” the team reflects. “There is a genuine sense of community, with people supporting each other, sharing knowledge, and wanting to see each other succeed.”
Experiential design continues to push boundaries and the use of turf as a tablescaping element speaks to a broader shift toward authenticity, sensory engagement, and immersion into the natural world.
At this Byron Bay retreat, something as simple as grass became a defining detail. Not just decorative, but symbolic of growth, grounding, and the quiet luxury of thoughtful design.
For those who experienced it, it is unlikely they will look at a place setting the same way again.
