Mermaids is a beachfront venue with a little ambiguity. The space transitions from breakfast to lunch to become a bar and a dessert bar in the afternoon/ evening. The design is inspired by a mural painted in the late 1950’s that graced the exterior walls of the old courtyard.

Channeling the fun of a 1950’s milk bar – a real melting pot where everyone gathered for all kinds of purposes. Nostalgia is evident with throw backs to the 1950’s in the detailing of joinery, furniture and lighting. A part of the well-loved mural ‘Finding Neptune’ has been brought back to life with a transfer on the concrete floor using a scan of an old photo of the original mural. A piece of the old 1930’s timber dance floor was uncovered during the demolition process and re-purposed as part of the bar front, surrounded by tiles with a nautical twist – referencing the location on ‘The Bay’. Old hand painted picture tiles showing scenes of boats on the bay further reinforce the concept. Designer Danish pendant lights hover above refined leather banquettes with subtle curves reminiscent of mid-century furniture. Corrugated metal wall linings are capped with timber and painted a soft green creates the datum line – a different take on the idea of wall paneling that feels Australian and ‘beachy’. A new cafe counter opens up to the street with painted custom slatted timber and wrought iron tables and seats reminiscent of 1950’s garden furniture and spectator seats.

This project navigates the space between and redefines what an all-day dining and drinking destination can be. There was certainly a desire to recapture the hearts of the locals whilst appealing to holiday makers once again.