Roxy Owens + Nick Mele Announce Furniture Collaboration

January 21, 2025  by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Designer Weekly, Industry   

This thoughtfully designed collection features eight signature furniture pieces, and marries nostalgic charm with modern refinement, reimagining traditional game room furniture for current times.

"Growing up, every house had a backgammon table or card table with fabulous craftsmanship and cool hidden compartments," recalls Nick Mele od Nick Mele Photography. "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."

Born from a chance meeting at The Colony Hotel in Palm Beach, Nick's initial concept for elevated gaming furniture and Roxy's expertise in furniture design sparked an immediate creative connection.

What began as a conversation about Nick's vision for a signature game table evolved into a full collection, with both designers bringing their unique perspectives and family-inspired approach to the creative process. Together, they developed 'Pause Life, Play Games,' a collection that blends heritage craftsmanship with contemporary flair. The campaign is captured through Nick's distinctive artistic lens that mirrors his renowned fine art photography style – sophisticated with a hint of irreverence.

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. The collection features:

— Checkmate Game Table (starting at $3,695)
— Gambit Gaming Chair (starting at $695)
— Pawn Wicker Side Table/Stool (starting at $1,395)
— Royal Flush Lounge Chair (starting at $1,895)
— Rook Swivel Chair (starting at $1,595)
— Queen & King Barrel Back Chairs (starting at $1,495)
— Knight Retro Rattan Rocker (starting at $1,295)

At its heart is a signature game table featuring hidden storage, complemented by an innovative take on gaming chairs that brings luxury to a traditionally casual category. The collection seamlessly integrates benchmade upholstery, versatile rattan, and wicker pieces, made-to-order and available with custom upholstery and color options.

"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," says Roxy Owens, Society Social "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."

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, Mele is releasing 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 series, available exclusively through nickmelefineart.com and shopsocietysocial.com, is designed as a sophisticated companion to modern game rooms everywhere.

The 'Pause Life, Play Games' collection will be available exclusively through Society Social’s website starting Jan 21, with a special social media teaser going live via Society Social Instagram (@societysocial).