Tag: restaurant interiors

Sydney’s new whisky bar will transport you back in time

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date November 26, 2015
1 Comment on Sydney’s new whisky bar will transport you back in time

I can’t get enough of Sydney’s bar scene, and the latest offering by hospitality giant Merivale, J&M, is an intimate whisky bar that pays homage to where it all began. And I love it!

What many may not know, is Merivale was once a fashion brand, and their multi-level fashion outlet, House of Merivale, once stood exactly where J&M now stands, on Level 2 of the historic Angel Hotel in Sydney.

A cultural phenomenon, The House of Merivale lit a fire beneath Australia’s staid fashion world. Modelled on the fun and frivolity of London’s concept boutiques, these eye-popping outlets not only influenced an entire generation of young Australians, but also introduced an entirely new concept to local retail. House of Merivale at The Angel also launched one of Merivale’s first forays into hospitality, with an innovative restaurant and espresso bar located on Level 2.

[contextly_sidebar id=”2EcSd9wNfzk4hNo2raew68hPlaQJm4Q7″]Now with Level 2 returned to a bar once more, it reflects on the building’s rich fashion history with sumptuous interiors of rich green velvets, sleek brown leathers and copper accents. Boasting luxurious chesterfield sofas and a long glass bar, alongside its hero feature – a specially imported drinks trolley, it also includes bespoke haberdashery cabinets filled with the ingredients that make up the rich, multi-layered aromas of Chivas 18 – dried fruits, buttery toffee and dark chocolate.

Guests can lounge and enjoy the personal trolley service or sit by the bar to learn more about whisky from experts in the field and taste exclusive whiskies not available for purchase anywhere else in Australia. J&M also offers an ever-changing list of specially crafted cocktails and a short, nostalgic menu offering a tasty selection of small dishes to enjoy with a cocktail before or after dinner.

For more information.

Tags bar, bar interiors, design, interiors, merivale, restaurant, restaurant interiors, sydney whisky bar, whisky

Designers Interviews

Meet Sydney female design trio TomMarkHenry

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 10, 2015
No Comments on Meet Sydney female design trio TomMarkHenry

Chloe (left) and co-directors Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden

A young company with fresh ideas and lots of passion, Sydney-based interior architecture firm TomMarkHenry, is the brainchild of school friends Chloe Matters, Jade Nottage and Cushla McFadden.

Screen Shot 2015-07-21 at 3.00.10 PM — Chloe, Jade and Cushla

Founded in early 2014, Chloe’s background in design and property development and Jade and Cushla’s rounded skill sets in interior architecture, have seen them make the perfect trio, with each bringing a different perspective to the table. “We design all our projects collaboratively,” explains Chloe. “So each design benefits from the strength of three minds and three opinions. We all have different perspectives and have learnt how to integrate these into seamless, harmonious designs.”

Designing across all three sectors — residential, hospitality and commercial — they are open to any and all projects that come their way. So as a result, their short history has given way to quite the diverse portfolio. “We have designed a high-end butcher in Double Bay that is due to open at the end of this month,” says Jade. “Plus we have a Mexican food kiosk opening in Barangaroo at the end of September. We are also in the early stages of designing a café in Double Bay, which we are very excited about. In addition, we are designing several other hospitality venues around Sydney’s CBD and Eastern Suburbs. Throw some residential projects into the mix and we are very busy, exactly how we like it!”

Already being acknowledged internationally by leading industry experts, their Bondi’s Best project is currently shortlisted in The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards, the mark of many good things to come, we think! “As a result of this and lots of hard work, we have started to come up against designers on project tenders that we have always been inspired by,” explains Cushla. “The realisation that we were being considered for projects alongside some very talented design firms was a turning point for us.”

All under 32, they bring a fresh, new perspective to design, but that doesn’t mean they don’t know when to buckle down and get serious! “While we are a young company, we do take our design work and the operational side of our company very seriously,” says Jade. “We are committed to creating inventive, new concepts in the design process, yet we also have a maturity of process that comes with our intensity of experience in the industry.”

For more information.

Tags bondi's best, Chloe Matters, Cushla McFadden, design, hospitality, interiors, Jade Nottage, residential, residential design, restaurant, restaurant design, restaurant interiors, the farm wholefoods, tommarkhenry

Designers

Cronuts to cocktails: Adriano Zumbo’s gorgeous new interior

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date June 9, 2015
No Comments on Cronuts to cocktails: Adriano Zumbo’s gorgeous new interior

Flamingo tea parties and baguette-shaped lounges are among the quirky design features of Adriano Zumbo’s latest venture, Fancy Nance, a hybrid cafe/cocktail bar in South Yarra. I must admit, today is one of those days I’m kicking myself I don’t live in Melbourne!

Designed by interior architecture practice Studio Tate, they took their inspiration from the celebrity pâtissier’ extravagantly stylish mother — whom Fancy Nance derives its name from — to create a diverse, multi-functional venue full of lush, playful furnishings and bold pops of colour.

The venue’s muse reportedly never leaves the house without being immaculately groomed and adorning herself with glittering jewellery. Studio Tate has interpreted this bold yet refined Fancy Nance aesthetic by bringing to life a visual narrative of flamingos in a lake. Varying tones of pink meet reflective finishes to form a dramatic backdrop for the ‘sweet assassin’s’ otherworldly delights.

The contour of flamingo feathers, as well as Zumbo’s architecturally sculpted cakes, have informed the design and crafted a visual language of curves, cut into the metal framework and high-gloss cabinetry. This is tied together with the murals of local graffiti artist Daniel Wenn, whose illustrations of the Mad Hatter’s tea party have been populated by flamingos.

For more information.

Tags Adriano Zumbo, cafes, cocktail bar, design, Fancy Nance, homewares, interior, interiors, restaurant, restaurant interiors, Studio Tate

RENO ADDICT Travel

North Sydney’s newest restaurant interior: The Greens

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date January 21, 2015
No Comments on North Sydney’s newest restaurant interior: The Greens

Having been based in Denmark for the last five months of 2014, I missed a fair few new restaurants opening up and some old classics getting renovations. As a result, 2015 has been pretty busy. I am not exaggerating when I say I go to a new restaurant every day (though my wallet is not as happy as my stomach on this one!).

One that is firmly on my radar and due a trip in the coming weeks, is The Greens in North Sydney; a transformation of the iconic North Sydney Bowling Club, otherwise known as Norths Bowlo, by Gray Puksand Architects.

Aiming to ‘give life’ to the existing building while making minimal structural changes, The Greens steps away from the traditional standard league clubs and offers a chic, fun and unique style of bowling club.

With uninterrupted views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House, the club’s colourful history has been integrated within the walls and grounds of the venue, with many of the finishing touches and furnishings being scoured from vintage stores and markets, creating a long-lasting atmosphere and a true sense of connection.

The final result is a warm, welcoming destination that pays homage to the venue’s past and present bowlers. With an old-time charm that embraces the venue’s heritage and prominent sixties architectural elements, The Greens also manages to feel spacious and modern.

Underpinning all the creative and unexpected design approaches, The Greens is a beautiful venue that offers a range of contemporary indoor and outdoor spaces for all ages.

Visit The Greens now. 50 Ridge Street, North Sydney. The usual rules and regulations of the Registered Clubs Act apply.

Tags design, Gray Puksand Architects, interiors, North Sydney Bowling Club, Norths Bowlo, restaurant, restaurant design, restaurant interiors, Sydney restaurants, The Greens, The Greens North Sydney

Interiors Addict

New restaurant Zahli brings Lebanon to inner Sydney

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date September 3, 2014

With Lebanese being one of my favourite cuisines, I have tried and failed to find a great local one in inner Sydney. But my luck may be changing, with the new Zahli in Surry Hills bringing a fresh and distinctive take on the Middle Eastern culture.

Based on the rich tradition of Lebanon’s famous mezza from the Zahli region along the beautiful banks of the Bardouni River near Mount Sannine, owner Mohammad Issmail wanted to take that unique environment and transport it to Sydney’s Inner East with a fresh, contemporary twist. This restaurant certainly looks great!

With a long history of restaurant partnerships in Lebanon and Dubai, Zahli, in Elizabeth Street, is Mohammad’s first Sydney restaurant. Passionate about creating an extraordinary experience for diners, the restaurant offers amazing food, service and ambience. With interior expertise provided by Kylie Grimwood of Quattro Design, the environment, atmosphere and menu are designed to transport diners to the banks of the Sannine on a warm night.

Obsessed with delivering excellence – in taste, service, experience and memories – head chef Abdul Shams takes the traditional as a starting point and confounds the clichés to create unique dishes packed with flavour. Start with a selection of freshly made dips and salads or share a hot mezzo and follow up with a main such as mansaf lamb, mixed grill, shawarma lamb or lemon garlic chicken.

Pretty sure one of us will be checking this place out soon! For more information.

Tags Abdul Shams, Kylie Grimwood, lebanese, middle eastern, Mohammad Issmail, Quattro Design, restaurant, restaurant interiors, sydney, Zahli

Designers Travel

A restaurant designed to be Instagrammed!

Post author By Olivia Shead
Post date August 14, 2014

I’m a big fan of Din Tai Fung, they are actually one of the few places that do real vegetarian dumpling soup (all you vegetarians out there will be nodding your heads in agreement. Seriously, why does Asian food always have to have a secret meat in it!?). But I digress; this post is not about Din Tai Fung’s food but rather about the interior of their latest Sydney restaurant.

Designed by the award-winning Design Clarity, the latest Central Park location draws inspiration from the restaurant’s origins of Taipei. Drawing on the simple street markets that are famous throughout Asia, the space features a theatrical display kitchen in the form of vendors’ carts, which showcases the scientific precision and culinary skills that create the edible artwork of each dumpling.

The dining space has a back lane feel, reminiscent of the tourist experience you get when you discover an unexpected food haven beyond the main strip of a foreign city. The restaurant is further brought to life through the hanging planters at the entrance (a nod to Patrick Blanc’s vertical gardens at One Central Park) graffiti-esque twisted Chinese proverbs that wrap exposed brick columns and the sporadic placement of reclaimed objects.

Chippendale’s Central Park is in the centre of Sydney’s student district, having five universities within walking distance. As a result, the design works to target a younger demographic, something that was a pivotal design choice early on. “Through interior design we are able to make Din Tai Fung’s world class food accessible and tempting to a new, younger demographic,” says Kristina Hetherington, managing director of Design Clarity.“Keeping in mind the younger generation is led by social media, the space has been designed to be highly Instagram-able with supergraphic branding and an authentic hawker street bike cart which local and international Din Tai Fung fans alike can share via their social channels.”

Din Tai Fung has attracted high praise since it was listed as one of the New York Times’ top 10 restaurants in the world in 1993. Since then, the accolades have kept coming with Michelin star status awarded and most recently being voted Good Food’s number one dumpling destination in Sydney.

Tags asian, central park, design, Design Clarity, din tai fung, instagram, interiors, restaurant, restaurant interiors, sydney