When long-time client Grant Ravenscroft decided to move and expand his popular neighbourhood café Croft & Co, he tasked us with creating a contemporary café and bistro space that would be the heart of the neighbourhood.
Despite extensive alterations over the years, the new corner spot retained some heritage features which provided the perfect starting point to create a classic neighbourhood café where everyone felt welcome.
The interior space was completely cleared of drywalling and ceilings to provide an enormous blank canvas. Natural light was brought into the space, by adding some windows along the Ennes Road perimeter, which allowed us to take full advantage of the large back space which had previously been underutilised.
We were inspired by old-school bistros that never date. The terracotta floor laid in a herringbone style provided a starting point and the natural palette of greens and browns evolved from there. We used timeless and hard-wearing materials including rainforest marble, warm brown oaks and pops of brass. Plants were added to add life and texture and local artist Hedwig Barry’s abstract work.
Shopfitters: Make Furniture
Heritage Consultants: KWA Architects
