Project Team

design: TomMarkHenry

 

Photography: Damian Bennettdamianbennett.com

The Hills is the West Coast extension of neighboring dive Bar Brooklyn Social. As well as sharing an address, the interior of both venues benefit from the touch of the designers at TomMarkHenry. Inspired by Venice beach in the 70’s and the infamous days of Dog Town, the brief for the creative team was to emulate the relaxed and offbeat tone of the era within an urban Surry Hills location.

It is clear upon entering that the girls from TomMarkHenry took cues from the playful shapes, patterns and colours of the period. The palette is crisp and cool. Concrete vinyl flooring, white brick and dark timber serve as a fresh base for bold bar tiles and a gradient striped ceiling while geometric cinder blocks, which are typical of the time act as a key feature in the main dining space. Floor to ceiling mirrors behind the iconic blocks amplify the light within the room and create the illusion of expansiveness within the intimate bar.

The styling is sharp yet playful. Custom orange and gold table-tops, woven ombre light fixtures, macramé and succulents found throughout the interior give a nod to all things retro while still maintaining a sense of youth and modernity.

Outside, white fencing and planter boxes hint at the fresh interior whilst creating a distinct sense of separation from the busy street beyond.