With three shops under his belt already, Saxon Wright of boutique coffee seller Pablo & Rusty’s wanted to take his latest outlet in Sydney’s Lane Cove to a new level.

Giant Design were brought on board to create a space that was contemporary yet referenced the craftsmanship and hands-on nature of coffee roasting and brewing.

The design team of Chris Wilks, Cintia Mistro and Ed Kenny wanted to create an industrial, vintage workshop feel that retained an aesthetic distinct from other cafés.

Rather than using found objects and furniture, they created custom furniture and lighting pieces finished in zinc and brass, combining contemporary and antique.

A custom-made zinc-clad communal table is the focal point of the interior, dominating the space and creating a sense of industrial scale. The table is split into two elements at different heights, maximising the seating space available while creating two distinct zones.

Above the communal table hangs a cluster of milk crate pendant lights. The milk crate shapes are laser cut with a zinc skin and brass coloured interior to echo the finishes of the table below. Vintage milk bottles emit a golden glow and cast interesting shadows across the space.

Feature lighting, a honey coloured timber ceiling and exposed brick walls offset the shop’s polished concrete floors and metal finishes on the tables, counters and shelves, counteracting their hard surfaces and creating a sense of warmth.

The result is a small space that packs a visual punch, evoking days gone by while retaining its own contemporary feel.

Photography: Andrew Worrsam

Giant Design
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