Prior to the refurbishment, the restaurant and cellar bar was a fairly dark space, so Mollard Interiors had to think about how to keep the space warm and inviting, without solely relying on lighting.

Their brief was to create a contemporary yet authentic Italian space for the Cellar Bar. They decided to keep the colour palette restricted to black, white and copper yet incorporated varying textures and tones to create contrast.

Mollard Interiors wanted the space to feel familiar, warm and contemporary while reinforcing that Cecconi’s is a long-standing family run business. The white wash timber tables with copper edging - made by Don, Maria’s husband (keeping it in the family!), combined with the black bentwood chairs, low black dome pendant lights and copper wall lights, create an inviting space. Patrons are reminded that Cecconi’s is an authentic Italian restaurant by the wall of family photos, and some of the produce they use displayed in black steel carriageways above the bar and open kitchen.

”The design process with Maria was great, the only real challenge we had was trying to get contractors to work over the Christmas break,” commented Scott Mollard, main designer. “We worked with Maria to make sure the space was functional for food service and easy for the staff. We opened the space up by removing wall shelving and painting the entire space a crisp white.”

A subtle warm light - that probably would have been dull in the old space - was chosen however by using whites and copper tones in the new furniture, the lighting complements the space.

A bare wall is made interesting with clustered artwork and photography. It creates a sense of familiarity in the space as you can see the rich history embedded in the family run restaurant.