Need some cushions to spruce up your couch? How about a cool café for a catch-up brunch with friends? Head over to Brighton’s Country Road (in Melbourne) and you can have both.
Country Road’s latest store refurbishment blurs the lines between lifestyle and food. The new café, ‘The Brighton Buoy’, is a collaboration effort with The Almond Milk Co. that offers customers a unique experience. It’s a similar concept to their Sorrento store (also in Victoria).
You can choose from a variety of fresh pastries, sandwiches and salads (supplied daily by ‘The Hamptons’ bakery) to have with your coffee or healthy smoothie. You can even take home some freshly made almond milk in a reusable glass bottle.
Images by Mushroom Creative.
New cushions and an almond milk latte? Sounds good to me.
You know what they say about the country air? Well it seems there really does seem to be something in it, in a design sense at least. No longer considered a style backwater, the number of interior design stores popping up in regional and remote Australia is rather heartening for our more far-flung interiors addicts. We profiled The Sonic in NSW’s Orange recently and our latest find, in WA, offers a similar retail concept.
Located an hour south of Perth, Frisky Deer is a café and interiors store in one and it stocks a variety of covetable brands including Lumiere Art + Co, Kaz Morton ceramics, Kip & Co, Sage & Clare and Armadillo and Co – and it seems the shop’s relative isolation hasn’t hampered its success. “We are extensively different to what is on offer locally. Having been raised in the country, we truly underestimated the power of our roots. The support we have received locally and afar has been astounding and we are immensely grateful. We have engaged with customers from all over our vast state,” says owner Dee Donegan.
A former accountant, it was after Dee completed four renovations within six years (wow!?!) that she noticed a gap in the local market for beautiful design. “I was an accountant and a stay at home mum with four kids under 12. My husband is in earth-moving and we were looking for a business that allowed flexibility for our family of six,” says Dee, who opened the store in September 2015 after curating an eclectic collection of homewares and Australian art. “Our shop walls are adorned by Australian artists – Perth girl Sara Winfield and eastern staters Ali McNabney-Stevens, Kimmy Hogan and Brent Rosenberg,” says Dee who also hosted a series of successful workshops recently that saw styling maven Julia Green head west for the occasion.
Aside from the shopping on offer, the store also functions as a café and features a delectable array of sweet treats created by Dee’s sister. “My sister is a chef and was trained at the prestigious Loose Box restaurant, so we coaxed her into coming across and working with us as our manager and head baker. We want our customers to come in store and enjoy a great coffee and some delicious home baked goodies while being inspired by the space. Having the combined café and retail experience creates an incredible energy in the shop,” says Dee.
In a clever marketing move, almost everything in the café is available for purchase too. “The tables you sit at, the chairs you sit on, the cups your drink from are all for sale. It has an intimate and unassuming feel. A wise woman once told me that you can’t pay for good energy, it has to be created,” says Dee.
Located in the regional NSW city of Orange, inside a Masonic hall dating back to 1864, The Sonic is a gorgeous interiors concept store, the likes of which you’d hardly expect to find in a country town. Combining a cafe with two existing businesses under the one roof, the large, lofty white space is something of a retail nirvana.
The Sonic
“My husband and I purchased the old Masonic Hall and renovated it into a fresh new retail space. It is the total shop of my dreams! I’ve had my stores in several shops over the years – iglou is now 10 years old, and I’ve had Jumbled for almost five years – but this is the space I’ve always dreamed of!” says owner Pip Brett.
After completing a Bachelor of Design (fashion and textiles) at the University of Sydney, Pip swiftly opened her first retail store. “I had watched my mum run a successful fashion business for the previous 20 years, so it just seemed like a natural progression. I launched iglou over 10 years ago and focused on bringing the best fashion brands out to the country. Then five years ago, Jumbled happened – it’s an eclectic mix of all things wonderful for your home and it’s pretty much everything that I love and want myself, all conveniently located under the one roof. I only sell things that I love and so far that strategy is working beautifully!”
The Sonic cafe
“I had always dreamt of the idea of a ‘concept store’ with coffee, fashion and home all under the one roof, and The Sonic allowed us to turn it into a reality. Having both of my stores and a cafe under the one roof has simplified everything and now it’s all just about making each and every shopping experience magical,” says Pip of the space that was transformed with the help of designers Studio Esteta and Pip’s builder husband Nick.
“We were able to transform the building in nine weeks. We pulled it back to the bare minimum, gutting it out and revealing all of its history, and then we painted it all white for good measure. We wanted a crisp white canvas to display all of our goodies whilst still staying true to the history of the building. We have created different zones – bedroom, living, nursery, bathroom and kid’s room. My favourite part of the space is the drama of the exposed ceiling beams and the way in which the bricks tell the building’s history,” says Pip.
With a fabulous mix of Australian brands including Kip & Co, Space to Create, Globewest, Uimi, General Eclectic and Langdon LTD, The Sonic certainly is a major drawcard for interior lovers in and around Orange. “People have been coming from far and wide to visit our new store and it has been incredible. I am so proud of the space and just so pleased that it has been so well received. Orange is a bustling regional city and is going from strength to strength on the back of food and wine tourism.”
The store also stocks a fabulous line-up of Australian artists including Leah Bartholomew, Lumiere Art + Co, Jessie Breakwell, Belinda Marshall and Middle of Nowhere. “I just love art! We are constantly changing and evolving and are always on the lookout for new designers or artists. We love Australian designers!”
Pip manages a hugely successful online business too. “Having an online store means that we are competing Australia wide, not just locally. We have tried to focus on colour, original art, quality and continually sourcing exciting new product and talent that hopefully sets us apart. Social media and in particular Instagram, has been a huge source of growth and excitement in our business. It has allowed us access to a much greater audience and has in turn allowed our buying to be a lot more adventurous and crazy.”
If you can’t make the trip, they sell online too: Jumbled and iglou
Each week we shine the spotlight on some of Australia’s best designers, artists and stylists and have them share with us what’s making them tick; anything from the best advice they’ve ever received to their favourite holiday destination. Today we chat to Jen Bishop, publisher and editor of Interiors Addict and Reno Addict.
1. What is your favourite cafe?
I love The Boatshed at Balmoral, which is my favourite Sydney beach. The food and coffee are always great and the location and styling are gorgeous!
2. What is your favourite holiday destination?
It’s way too hard to pick just one so I’ll cheat! The most interesting and awe-inspiring place I’ve ever been is Luxor in Egypt, probably my favourite ever city is Paris (I first went when I was 18, my first trip overseas without parents, fell in love with it and couldn’t stop returning) and I’ll never ever get sick of New York.
3. What is the best gift you’ve ever received?
For my last birthday, my husband brought my best friend over from the UK as a surprise. Having just had baby Seb a couple of months before, it was amazing to share this special time with her in Sydney.
4. What is your favourite book?
(OK, so I’m not good at picking just one thing!). From a business perspective, I got a lot out of Thrive by Ariana Huffington and The Four Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss. My favourite childhood books are The Railway Children, The Secret Garden and Alice in Wonderland. And as an adult, some of my favourite novels include The Great Gatsby, Pride and Prejudice and The Picture of Dorian Gray (I’m a sucker for the classics!).
5. What is your favourite piece of furniture you own?
I just love my vintage marble-topped coffee table which was a bargain eBay find. Sadly it is a complete death/serious injury trap for kids so I’ve had to move it out of the living room now I’m a mum!
Bronte Terrace by Arent & Pyke. Image by Felix Forest
With greater renovation confidence and consumers taking cues from their favourite eateries and venues, we are seeing dark and bold colours, less typically not seen in residential spaces, inspiring homeowners. While a commercial trend would traditionally take three years to appear en masse in residential spaces, we are seeing this transition shorten, with homeowners instantly introducing creative ideas from commercial designs into their home.
Colour and communications manager at Dulux Group, Andrea Lucea Orr, says: “Being bold with colour isn’t something to fear, it’s a look to embrace. Highly colourful interiors are a way to show your personality and create a space you love. With blacks, dark and light blues, and eclectic mixes of bright pops, we are seeing more and more homeowners move away from safe neutrals and make their mark with colour in a way previously not seen.”
For consumers willing to be bold and brave with colour, we’ve identified three striking looks from the 2015 Dulux Colour Awards, announced earlier in the year:
The cafe style look
The café style look uses materials not commonly seen in the home, such as plywood and concrete, paired with practical applications such as Chalkboard paint, a look that can be achieved with Dulux DryErase.
Local House by MAKE Architecture. Image by Peter Bennetts
Typically paired with a bold base colour, such as Dulux Black or Black Caviar, this mix of materials create spaces perfect for entertainers who want the same experience at home as they get from dining out.
McGill House by Jacinta Preston. Image by Michael Malherbe
Block colour used for impact
Moving away from traditional whites, there is a movement towards a range of blues used to create stunning and calming interiors. Both of these looks by Arent & Pyke reference a chic, romantic and effortless style, created through the shades of blue and timber tones.
The Avenue by Arent & Pyke. Photo by Anson SmartBronte Terrace by Arent & Pyke. Photo by Felix Forest
Recreate these looks (above) with Dulux Blue Steel (Bronte Terrace) and Dulux Hildegard (The Avenue). These blues are great choices with the former displaying a dark, dramatic essence and the latter a lighter hue. To finish the look, blues work beautifully alongside various natural earthy and brown tones.
Colour in unexpected places
Colour is being used differently and we are seeing great results when people think of innovative ways to introduce colours into a space.
In the Awards, we saw colour used to create interest, through appealing shapes and patterns. Colour was used in nooks above doorways, it was used on the ceiling and also moving down the ceiling onto the walls. To achieve this look in your home, find areas you could introduce pops of colour, such as nooks and the ceiling, then think about how colour could enhance the feeling and sense of function in this space.
Courtyard House by Aileen Sage Architects. Image by Tom Ferguson
In the commercial categories in the 2015 Dulux Colour Awards we saw a brilliant graphic trend appearing. Keep an eye out for graffiti style art making its way into interiors very soon.
Anglesea House 4 by Emma Mitchell. Image by Dianna Snape
A stylish Country Roadcafé near the beach, where you can also shop. Sounds like an interiors addict’s dream, right?! Now if only I lived in Victoria…
Iconic Aussie brand Country Road are redefining traditional retail with the launch of their new full lifestyle concept in Sorrento, VIC, at the historic post office building in the main street.
Combining a café, retail space and surrounding gardens, the new store celebrates the heritage of the local landmark. Mixing old with new, the light and pared back palette of the interior is a refreshing backdrop to compliment the Woman, Man, Child and Home collections.
“Our Sorrento store has been designed to feel as though you have stepped into a family home. Each room has its own character and with the addition of a café and gardens, we have created a real life expression of Country Road,” says managing director, Sophie Holt.
Large, metal-framed windows allow natural light to fill the store where the Country Road Woman and Man collections make a statement amidst exposed timber beams, textured brickwork and a polished concrete floor. The spirit of Country Road Child comes to life with pieces displayed on timber tables and bench seats akin to a classic schoolroom. As you walk through Country Road Home, the space organically flows into the café and onto the terrace, connecting the indoor and outdoor spaces.
The café at Country Road Sorrento will be known as Post 3943 and is a collaboration with local organic café The Sisters. Surrounding gardens include a vegetable patch which will supply home-grown herbs and fresh produce to the café daily.
Country Road Sorrento is located at 10-16 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento, VIC. Open daily, 10am to 4pm.
There’s no doubt Sydney’s Alexandria is taking off and now there’s another reason to visit: the new L’Americano Espresso Bar at the Coco Republic showroom in O’Riordan Street.
Of course, being from the people behind the exclusive furniture brand, it’s a stylish looking place to grab a coffee, breakfast, brunch or lunch.
Open from 7.30am to 3pm Monday to Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sundays, L’Americano combines Coco Republic’s signature American design aesthetic and Vittoria Coffee’s rich Italian heritage.
Celebrating the artisan food heritage of the Italian Riviera, expect locally sourced produce and a relaxed Italian style.
L’Americano Espresso Bar hopes to transport guests to the Italian Riviera, with its Vittoria Coffee and an inspired menu by acclaimed executive chef Alex Kearns. Drawing inspiration from the 1955 novel The Talented Mr Ripley and the character of Dickie Greenleaf, a life of opulent bachelorism on the Italian coast sets the scene!
L’Americano exudes the old world charm of a 1950s Italian espresso bar on the Riviera that an American playboy, with a lust for the finer things in life, would frequent. Of course, ladies are very welcome too!
Designed by The Block architects, Sydney’s latest coffee shop, Bay Ten Espresso, is industrial, honest and completely unique.
Situated in a heritage warehouse in Lavender Bay, the inspired fit-out designed by Brenchley Architects, features 10-metre century-old concrete walls and a dramatic expanse of windows. Playing true to the industrial heritage of the space, the interiors are raw and recycled, with palette seating along the wall topped with leather pads and stacks of cushions to create comfy private nooks and two long, stainless steel tables offering shared space and room to spread.
“Working in heritage spaces is a privilege,” says Brenchley Architects director, Julian Brenchley. “Essentially we are custodians of environmental heritage which is no less important and is often overlooked, lost or damaged by poor decisions. Bay Ten Espresso is such a unique space; there is nothing like it anywhere. All the historic infrastructure in and around the Harbour Bridge is remarkable in scale and has an industrial-engineered character.”
Taking centre stage is a recycled shipping container, remodelled to serve as the working hub of the espresso bar. It comes with a bit of latter-day notoriety as well, having been one of the vessels used to smuggle 600kg of pseudoephedrine into Australia. “The new fit-out was inspired by what might have been,” says Julian. “We’ve referenced transport-related objects such as the repurposed shipping container and given it a workshop look and feel, allowing the past uses of the space to honestly inform the design outcome.”
Bay Ten Espresso also shares the warehouse with The Body Mechanic, a specialist bike maintenance outfit run by elite athletes. It’s open Monday to Friday, 7am – 3pm, at at Bay 10, Middlemiss Street, Lavender Bay, Sydney.
When West Elm UK asked me if I’d like to come and visit their first store in my motherland while I was in London, what do you reckon I said? YES! I went for my tour with the associate marketing manager Jessica Sims last week, where we argued about who was the bigger West Elm addict.
West Elm London, which opened a few months after Australia’s first Bondi store, is housed in a great old building on Tottenham Court Road, conveniently opposite Goodge Street tube. It’s perhaps competitively close to established UK homewares brands like Heal’s (it has a great cafe, incidentally) and Habitat, in what is an excellent part of town for an interiors addict after a spot of retail therapy.
This fabulous window display brightened up the store on the grey and drizzly day I visited
The store, on two floors and with a huge green wall of living plants, is brilliantly styled (or merchandised as they say in the business). I love the Bondi store but this was something else. AND it has a cafe. Hello, two of my favourite things (West Elm and coffee) in the same place! There are plenty of friendly staff everywhere, including an in-house stylist ready to help customers in the Design Lab. No doubt this level of service is shaking things up in the UK homewares market.
This fab marble coffee table is available in Australia too, for $699
I of course wanted to walk out with one of everything. Especially this divine navy (of course) velvet couch (sadly not available in Australia). Yes, you should buy big ticket items in neutrals, but… And the herringbone coffee table is clearly magnificent! A side table version is available in Oz, if you’d like a piece of that mirrored action.
I have already started making a shopping list ready for when I’m back in Australia and looking for my next home, and can visit the new Chatswood store. Hoorah!
This visit reminded me just how much I heart West Elm. I remember once telling someone, if I was a brand, I’d be West Elm. (No really, Jess, I am the bigger West Elm addict…)
I also found out that West Elm are now doing wedding registries, in Australia too. I so would have considered that last year (but I used The Wedding Nest and they were amazing).
I love Paris. I mean I really love Paris. I’ve been there 14 times and am trying to sneak in another trip on our honeymoon later this year. I love everything French: coffee, literature, impressionist art, wine, food, you get the picture! So I am truly excited about La Croix, in Macleay Street, which I cannot wait to check out soon.
Not only is it a gorgeous cafe for a leisurely coffee, lunch or aperitif, it also sells amazing European homewares sourced from Belgium and France by garden designer Annie Wilkes (who many will remember from Woollahra’s Parterre Gardens) and Glenda Hampton-Kalyk. If you like the look of some of the gorgeous homewares and antiques that surround you as you eat, most are for sale.
I also found out that West Elm are now doing 
