Hot on the heels of his Chavela fit-out, Matt Woods has continued to add fresh design flavour to Sydney’s Burwood Road with a decadent new interior for chocolate bar, Melt.

Woods has taken cues from a number of chocolate references to bring symbolism and texture to the space, including the use of a monolithic bar made from a large slab of marble and steel grey factory profile cut-outs, an abstract reference to Willy Wonka’s chocolate factory.

The bar animates the front of the cafe, while the profiles – graphic and geometric – fulfill double duty by drawing your eye to the rear seating area.

Woods has also continued the use of the stone (traditionally used in the tempering of chocolate) to the rear of the bar and between the sharp factory profiles. The “peak” silhouette motif re-appears behind the counter in the guise of menu boards, which reinforce the logo and branding.

The seating area is furnished with tables, Artek rocket stools and a u-shaped button-tufted, chocolate brown leather banquette. The square detailing also alludes to chocolate bars as does the extensive use of beige and brown recycled glass mosaics on the walls.

The overall space is subtly, but well illuminated and includes the use of black Muuto pendants and integrated LED lighting in the form of Tasmanian Oak rods – “chocolate wafer rolls” – which are suspended between the steel profile-cut menu boards. The wash of horizontal light further enhances the texture of the mosaics which, due to their irregular appearance, resemble melting chocolate squares.

Despite a tight budget and spatial restrictions, Woods has achieved a rich, evocative and well planned space that supports and extends the client’s gourmet vision.

Photography: The Moment It Clicks

Matt Woods Design
killingmattwoods.com