The venue was previously a café, which needed a complete makeover. This included renovating the front area to remove the coffee bar that blocked the beautiful big windows facing the street, and really make the most of that space by opening it up and adding bar seating. It’s the perfect place to sit and people watch, or spend an afternoon or evening with a few wines and good company.

The ambience is welcoming and it’s a social venue with a relaxed and warm atmosphere. A place with a ‘neighbourhood restaurant’ charm, which can be loved by locals and appeal to visitors.

The designer spent hours of research over many months searching for the right venue. He had a strict budget but wanted to deliver a quality space without compromising on fittings or furniture.

The bricks in the dining room were originally covered in a dated white wash, so they were stripped back to reveal a lovely, warm red brick, which has become the main canvas for the dining room. The bar was covered in a rich timber cladding and matched this with a timber feature wall in the second dining room. The industrial lights over the bar and in the second dining room provide a contemporary edge while keeping a minimalist and casual feel. The shelves with black iron piping tie in the industrial look, and these are softened with cascading greenery. The recycled timber tables provide a point of interest and reinforce the warm tones and relaxed feel of the venue.

Colour wise, something that would be warm and homely, classy but casual was required. The designer opted for high quality materials to reinforce the overall ethos of the venue – that is, high quality food and service in a casual and relaxed atmosphere.

The timber cladding and touches of industrial design throughout tie the concept together. This has been reflected even in the finer details, such as the coat rack by the door which has been built using the same timber and finished with black wright iron hooks; and the wooden menu boards hanging in the window from industrial looking chains.

The red brick wall is washed with a warm, rich yellow light from the lamps, which help provide that warm and inviting space. The designer wanted something original so the lighting along the main brick wall is custom made. The lighting above the bar uses that classic dome shaped industrial fitting but rather than just a standard black, he went for a dusty black colour with bronze inside to give it some extra depth.