Located on Bundjalung country, we are a tight-knit team of designers and creatives from various backgrounds who thrive on collaboration. Under the direction of founder Coco Reynolds, our focus is on architectural interior lighting, and we draw inspiration from our varied expertise to foster a dynamic work environment, all in the pursuit to achieve timeless design and a respected, well-rounded practice that sits respectfully within the global design industry.
Coco Reynolds | Founder & Director
Leading a small team with grace and humour, Coco's drive, determination and generous energy, whilst juggling a million things at once, has manifested a wonderfully creative and respectful workplace that thrives on collaboration.
Coco's journey into Design, though not linear, has been driven by a genuine love for the craft and a growing fascination with lighting. The pillar and visionary of Marz, she initially pursued Industrial Design before studying Interior Architecture as a mature-aged student. Her diverse experience across various creative fields ultimately led her to the hands-on and exploratory nature of lighting design.
Growing up in the Hunter Valley and spending her early adult years in Sydney, Coco yearned for a slower pace and a stronger sense of community, especially as she began to consider raising a family. The Northern Rivers offered exactly that. Becoming a special place for her, not just where she was able to start a family, but also the birthplace of Marz. In many ways, it's been a place of new beginnings, both personally and professionally.
Coco draws significant inspiration from mid-20th-century architecture and interiors, particularly the Mid-Century Modern aesthetic. The clean lines, open-plan layouts, expansive windows, and the seamless connection between indoor and outdoor spaces, as seen in the work of architects like Mies van der Rohe and John Lautner, deeply resonate with her. There is a timeless quality to that era that still feels fresh and relevant today.
Feeling incredibly fortunate to do what she loves every day, her passion for Design is evident, and she truly enjoys being part of a small, creative business where no two days are ever the same. The freedom to be hands-on with each project whilst working with an inspiring team that values thoughtful, purposeful Design is very rewarding for Coco.
Elke Doust | Design and Production Manager
Elke quite literally stumbled through the door one day, looking for work, and never left. And thank goodness for that! She keeps everything running like clockwork, manages the workshop like a pro, is always dressed effortlessly, and keeps Coco in check. A warm-hearted and inviting human, creating a space where everyone feels seen and cared for. Her presence is nurturing and quietly grounding in the studio.
With an incredible eye for detail and breadth of knowledge across Design and Architecture, Elke's career has been extensive. Skills in Design and manufacturing stem from experience in Interior Architecture and Fashion, as well as having run her own fashion label, where she refined her communication and management skills. Her detail-oriented mindset and desire to work in a more sustainable industry led her to Marz Designs.
Her role as Design and Production Manager sits at the intersection of creativity and operations - it's a healthy balance of big-picture thinking and attention to detail. Day-to-day, moving between managing inventory, design strategy, overseeing in-house production, developing products, and nurturing relationships with our makers and suppliers. No two days look the same, and that's what Elke enjoys - the variety keeps her curious and constantly learning.
Elke's favourite part about working in this industry is the inspiration from seeing all the incredible work being done across the industry - the design world is full of people who are solving problems in beautiful, unexpected ways, and she loves being a part of that daily! The likes of Frederik Gustav, Marcin Rusak, Formafantasma and Laurids Gallée are particularly inspiring to Elke.
For Elke, like many of us, it was the warmer climate and lifestyle with career opportunities that drew Elke to the area. Always with a project on the go, she is flower-obsessed and adores spending time in her garden, and if time permits, would do far more of it!
Dee Shepherd | Sales Manager
The newest member of our team and already such a vital part of it. Dee thrives on conversation and connection, bringing radiant energy and heart to her role as she leads the charge in Business Development.
A photographer by trade before joining Marz, she ran her own photography studio for over 13 years, working across Design, fashion and interiors. This extensive experience working in this environment sharpened her eye for detail, refined her ability to tell visual stories, and sparked a deeper appreciation for form and craft.
Stepping into the design world felt like a natural evolution, allowing her to stay close to the creative process while exploring new ways to bring ideas to life. A genuine love for Design and interior spaces, lighting has been the perfect medium to merge all of that - sculptural, atmospheric, and has a significant impact.
For Dee, sales is about much more than selling a product. It is about building relationships, finding new opportunities and representing the Marz brand in a way that feels authentic and future-focused.
Working closely with architects and designers, Dee finds being part of the conversation, from concept through to installation, a particularly fulfilling aspect of her role. Every day looks a little different, which is what she loves - whether working on a custom solution, refining the spec process, or just geeking out on a beautiful design - all in a day's work!
Drawn to Design and various forms of artistic expression, Dee is particularly inspired by designers and studios such as YSG, who nail maximalism in a way that feels so timeless and considered, but so fresh and fun.
Timothy Burgler | Lighting Technician
Our resident green thumb and low-key alchemist, famous for his mandarin and turmeric elixirs. Tim is always up for a challenge and has an uncanny ability to build or fix just about anything with calm confidence.
Growing up on a dairy and banana farm just outside of Byron Bay, Tim left soon after high school to study Fine Art Photography in Oslo, Norway, which led him on a series of adventures spanning 15 years, eventually returning to the hinterland after Covid to be closer to family.
Tim's previous work experience has been diverse, yet technical, from working in logistics and problem-solving in the high arctic of Norway to photography, as well as designing and building his own home, which has given him a wildly diverse skill set that lends itself nicely to problem-solving technical issues during design development through to production.
He enjoys working in Design because of the creative nature of the business. New ideas flow and solutions to challenges present themselves throughout the process, and he enjoys finding creative solutions.
Day to day, Tim is a vital part of our production team. He plays a key role in ensuring everything runs on schedule and meets our high-quality standards, building all lights to order and approaching everything with curiosity and a spirit of adventure.
Takoda Meyer | Showroom & Sales Assistant
A true creative spirit with impeccable taste, who is deeply inspired by the mid-century modern movement and the functional, utilitarian design principles of the DDR (East Germany, 1949–1990). Through a youth culture lens he strives to build cohesion and quiet balance through his work and the Marz showroom. Partial to a good tailored pant and fashion chat, Takoda brings kindness and a smile that lights up the studio - a beautiful human through and through.
Lucky enough to have grown up in this lush part of the world, but always with a broad eye on global Design, it was his creative pursuits that took him to Melbourne to study Creative Direction and Styling, where he honed his aesthetic and classic yet contemporary sense of style.
After some time in his father's homeland, Berlin, Germany, he was led back to Australia to join Marz in 2024 as Sales & Showroom Assistant. Takodas' warm and positive nature sets the tone so beautifully at Marz, with an ease and genuine enthusiasm that welcomes and supports the customer's experience from start to finish.
Takoda's role is about fostering connection with our customers and the wider community he's proud to be a part of. In addition to curating the showroom faultlessly, Takoda also supports the sales and design team behind the scenes, managing enquiries, processing orders, and ensuring a smooth customer experience. He finds being part of a small, passionate team in his hometown, where he gets to connect with people every day whilst sharing pieces he genuinely believes in, feels really special. It's grounding and inspiring all at once.
Outside of work, Takoda is happiest when he is in nature, by the ocean or immersed in good food and Design - anything that feels sensory, slow and intentional. Takoda loves the idea of hosting, creating a home that feels both cinematic and grounded; a sun-drenched villa somewhere in the Italian countryside - think Call Me by Your Name vibes with stone floors, fig trees, and linen curtains drifting in the breeze.
Jess Gibson | Design & Production Assistant
A kind, open-minded, and humble soul who's always willing to give something a go. Jess is genuinely thoughtful and always dedicated to creating work she's proud of. Her role at Marz has evolved since joining in 2022. Formerly the Showroom and Sales Assistant, Jess now serves as a Design and Production Assistant, spending most of her time managing the front and back end of the website, managing product launches, various collateral, expanding on the Imperfect Collection, whilst keeping the website looking fresh. A dynamic role, she enjoys the continuous learning, the creative outlet and being a part of a small team that appreciates Design and shares similar values.
With a degree in Design, and studies in both Fashion and Textile Design, Jess has a rounded appreciation for Design, art and architecture. Her involvement and work in hospitality have been a strong part of Jess's career. These formative years brought her a sense of community and love for working with people, but also sharpened her understanding of experience, which lends itself nicely to the functionality of the website.
She grew up in a house where painting and redecorating a room were encouraged during school holidays. But it was a trip to Mexico City over a decade ago, where she visited Luis Barragan's home, that sparked a deeper appreciation for architecture and interiors. A space that will continue to inspire, along with designers Formafantasma, Max Lamb, artist Laila Gohar, who works at the intersection of Design and food, and artist Alana Wilson.
After completing her degree in Design in Hobart, the moody, introspective nature of the island and time there brought much inspiration to her creative projects. Still, ultimately it was the warmer climate and partner's restaurant endeavour that brought her to the Northern Rivers. Jess is eternally grateful to have found herself at Marz working with such a creative, engaging and supportive group of people.
She hopes to one day pick up her little art practice again and often misses everything that living in a city brings, but for now feels incredibly lucky to live in such beauty, raising her daughter and enjoying the slower pace that this region offers.
Brian Connolly | Dispatch Assistant
Partial to a good siiiigh and a contagious laugh. Brian brings a beautiful, uplifting energy that invigorates the team, not to mention our Quality Control queen, with an eye for detail that keeps everything that goes out the door on point.
Brian is a visual artist, and having grown up in the Gold Coast hinterland and travelling, living far & wide, he continuously finds himself drawn back to the natural beauty of this area. For him, it has an undeniable magnet that unlocks boundless creativity and drives his practice.
Working at Marz has provided Brian with an invaluable insight into the design industry, significantly aiding his own artistic business ventures. He particularly appreciates the collaborative approach at Marz, where Coco has fostered an environment where everyone's ideas are welcome and explored.
A true gem of a human and wonderfully mischievous, Brian lights up the studio with humour and heart, making him an integral part of the team. He works with such care and precision, assuring all orders are safely delivered into our customers' hands.
Sarah Treby | Wholesale & Logistics Coordinator
Sarah has recently joined the Marz team to support the Wholesale and logistics side of the business, bringing care and dedication to the role. With extensive experience working across operations, projects and wholesale within the fashion industry Sarah provides a certain ease and assurance to the studio.
Having lived in Australia for the past 17 years but originally from the UK, it was the beaches and slower pace of life that drew her to move the Northern Rivers permanently.
Thriving on creative energy and often fast paced, people focused nature of working in the industry, she particularly appreciates working in design as it blends expression with function, and finds at Marz there is real warmth and care in everything that is made.
Constantly inspired by architects Ricardo Bofill, Alvaro Siza and Carla Scarpa, she dreams of building a forever home with her husband that reflects their shared love of design.
