Behind the Lens and the Lifestyle: The Making of 'Pause Life, Play Games' Collection
From their shared appreciation for timeless design and generational influences, the duo meticulously designed every detail, from frames and finishes to fabric selections, resulting in pieces that seamlessly unite their distinguished styles. Their creative synergy carried through to the campaign's visual narrative, where they collaborated on curating richly layered environments that showcase the collection through a polished, yet playful lens.
It All Started in Palm Beach...
Nick and I met by chance, seated next to each other at the celebration dinner for The Colony Palm Beach’s redesign—a project Society Social had the pleasure of collaborating on with Sarah Wetenhall. It was the perfect start to a meaningful collaboration. I’ve long admired Nick’s take on irreverent, old-world glamour, so I was thrilled when he agreed over post dinner drinks to show us his in-residency artist exhibit in The Colony’s solarium. I especially loved hearing how his family—his wife and sons—often inspire his portraits. It resonated deeply, as family is a thread woven into my work. My children often join our photoshoots, and my husband manages the business alongside me.
“I’ve admired Roxy’s work in the furniture space for years. I started following her when the company was making the most wonderful bar carts. I knew she understood my aesthetic and sense of style and would immediately get the vibe I was going for with my first foray into furniture.” - Nick Mele
"Growing up, I spent a lot of time playing video games with my friends. We would literally spend hours engrossed in another world. I love the refined, upscale take that the Gambit puts on the traditional video game chair. It is fun, comfortable and, best of all, attractive." - Nick
"Our vision was to elevate game room furniture beyond its traditional casual roots into pieces that could be focal points in any well-designed room. By partnering with our long-standing craftsmen in North Carolina and the Philippines, we were able to bring Nick's artistic vision to life through thoughtful details like hidden storage compartments and custom upholstery options. Each piece is designed to become an heirloom that tells a story of both function and beauty." - Roxy
"Growing up, every house had a backgammon table or card table with fabulous craftsmanship and cool hidden compartments. I've always loved interiors and heirloom-worthy furniture, influenced by my mother and grandmother's passion for design. This collection brings those memories into the present with a fresh perspective." - Nick
The Next Generation of Family Heirlooms
Introducing Pause Life, Play Games, a furniture collaboration by Nick Mele and Roxy Owens for Society Social. Born from Nick’s deep appreciation for interiors and Roxy’s love for furniture that tells a story, discover a thoughtfully designed collection that marries nostalgic charm with modern sophistication. The campaign is captured through Nick's distinctive artistic lens that mirrors his renowned fine art photography style – sophisticated with a twist of the unexpected.
"This collaboration felt like a natural fit. Like us, Nick is a maximalist and traditionalist. His unique point of view which shines through his fine art photography gave us the chance to reimagine Society Social in a moodier, more artistic light. It also highlights the breadth of our designs and the flexibility of our custom options. Working together has been a fun and creative challenge—an exciting way to bring something fresh and unexpected to both of our audiences." - Roxy Owens
The Past Has Never Been More Present
At the heart of this collection is nostalgia, a celebration of home and family, with designs that inspire togetherness and evoke the warmth of simple pastimes. During times of uncertainty, there is a natural and calming tendency to revisit the things that brought us happiness. Childhood memories, especially those tied to games, laughter, and leisure, provide an escape to a simpler era. Our Gambit Gaming Chair evokes this sense of nostalgia, yet with a modern twist – serving as both a link to the past and a symbol of comfort as we move forward in our fast-paced society.
The collection seamlessly integrates bench-made upholstery, versatile rattan, and wicker pieces, made-to-order and available with custom upholstery and color options. Every piece reflects a commitment to expert craftsmanship, with upholstered items handcrafted in North Carolina and woven pieces masterfully created in the Philippines, offering a perfect blend of heritage techniques and contemporary design.
This vision extends beyond the furniture itself. Photographed at the renowned Highlander Mountain House, the collection's campaign imagery captures the furniture in its natural habitat and in Nick Mele’s characteristic style of playful sophistication. Additionally, Nick released a new limited edition series of fine art images titled “Game Night.” In the same nostalgic vein as the furniture collection, and in true Mele style, the irreverent series takes a top-down view of vintage board games, accented with rich layers of bejeweled hands, family heirlooms, and cheeky hidden details.
The Next Generation of Family Heirlooms
Introducing Pause Life, Play Games, a furniture collaboration by Nick Mele and Roxy Owens for Society Social. Born from Nick’s deep appreciation for interiors and Roxy’s love for furniture that tells a story, discover a thoughtfully designed collection that marries nostalgic charm with modern sophistication. The campaign is captured through Nick's distinctive artistic lens that mirrors his renowned fine art photography style – sophisticated with a twist of the unexpected.
From their shared appreciation for timeless design and generational influences, the duo meticulously designed every detail, from frames and finishes to fabric selections, resulting in pieces that seamlessly unite their distinguished styles. Their creative synergy carried through to the campaign's visual narrative, where they collaborated on curating richly layered environments that showcase the collection through a polished, yet playful lens.
It All Started in Palm Beach...
Nick and I met by chance, seated next to each other at the celebration dinner for The Colony Palm Beach’s redesign—a project Society Social had the pleasure of collaborating on with Sarah Wetenhall. It was the perfect start to a meaningful collaboration. I’ve long admired Nick’s take on irreverent, old-world glamour, so I was thrilled when he agreed over post dinner drinks to show us his in-residency artist exhibit in The Colony’s solarium. I especially loved hearing how his family—his wife and sons—often inspire his portraits. It resonated deeply, as family is a thread woven into my work. My children often join our photoshoots, and my husband manages the business alongside me.
"This collaboration felt like a natural fit. Like us, Nick is a maximalist and traditionalist. His unique point of view which shines through his fine art photography gave us the chance to reimagine Society Social in a moodier, more artistic light. It also highlights the breadth of our designs and the flexibility of our custom options. Working together has been a fun and creative challenge—an exciting way to bring something fresh and unexpected to both of our audiences." - Roxy Owens
“I’ve admired Roxy’s work in the furniture space for years. I started following her when the company was making the most wonderful bar carts. I knew she understood my aesthetic and sense of style and would immediately get the vibe I was going for with my first foray into furniture.” - Nick Mele
The Past Has Never Been More Present
At the heart of this collection is nostalgia, a celebration of home and family, with designs that inspire togetherness and evoke the warmth of simple pastimes. During times of uncertainty, there is a natural and calming tendency to revisit the things that brought us happiness. Childhood memories, especially those tied to games, laughter, and leisure, provide an escape to a simpler era. Our Gambit Gaming Chair evokes this sense of nostalgia, yet with a modern twist – serving as both a link to the past and a symbol of comfort as we move forward in our fast-paced society.
"Growing up, I spent a lot of time playing video games with my friends. We would literally spend hours engrossed in another world. I love the refined, upscale take that the Gambit puts on the traditional video game chair. It is fun, comfortable and, best of all, attractive." - Nick
The collection seamlessly integrates bench-made upholstery, versatile rattan, and wicker pieces, made-to-order and available with custom upholstery and color options. Every piece reflects a commitment to expert craftsmanship, with upholstered items handcrafted in North Carolina and woven pieces masterfully created in the Philippines, offering a perfect blend of heritage techniques and contemporary design.
"Our vision was to elevate game room furniture beyond its traditional casual roots into pieces that could be focal points in any well-designed room. By partnering with our long-standing craftsmen in North Carolina and the Philippines, we were able to bring Nick's artistic vision to life through thoughtful details like hidden storage compartments and custom upholstery options. Each piece is designed to become an heirloom that tells a story of both function and beauty." - Roxy
This vision extends beyond the furniture itself. Photographed at the renowned Highlander Mountain House, the collection's campaign imagery captures the furniture in its natural habitat and in Nick Mele’s characteristic style of playful sophistication. Additionally, Nick released a new limited edition series of fine art images titled “Game Night.” In the same nostalgic vein as the furniture collection, and in true Mele style, the irreverent series takes a top-down view of vintage board games, accented with rich layers of bejeweled hands, family heirlooms, and cheeky hidden details.
"Growing up, every house had a backgammon table or card table with fabulous craftsmanship and cool hidden compartments. I've always loved interiors and heirloom-worthy furniture, influenced by my mother and grandmother's passion for design. This collection brings those memories into the present with a fresh perspective." - Nick
