// PROJECTS: Commercial Projects

Shop 1, 21 Elizabeth Bay Rd, 
ELIZABETH BAY NSW 2011

Coming up with a look for Tryst Food & Wine was a challenge. Basically, it’s two businesses in one: it does coffee, cakes and takeaways up till 9pm as well as à la carte dining. And because it’s on the ground floor of an apartment building, it also provides room service and catering for the residents.

The brief was to come up with something that was fresh, sharp and appealing during the day and more sophisticated and warm at night. We needed to create a look that could change moods from day to night.

To keep costs down, we kept the existing layout and basically just gave it a whole new look by making cosmetic changes.

The refrigerated cabinets, which are quite long and therefore prominent, were an obstacle at first but in the end, they became a starting point and they set the theme for the rest of the fit-out. By using Miro graphic glass (manufactured by Axolotl), which features Tryst’s logo, created by Blue & Brown graphic designers, we made them the focal point of the cafe. This glass is also used on the sliding doors of the overhead cabinets. The circular motif of the logo is memorable and instantly recognisable and its colours – a fresh citrus green, a deep browny green, a taupe/beige and silvery grey – are used throughout the premises.

By changing the lighting, we were able to create a more open, relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The use of silver laminate for table-tops, a stainless mesh screen and a selection of different fabrics for cushions, adds texture, interest and reinforces the overall colour scheme.

Photographer Marian Riabic