A dialogue with European vernacular can be touch and go. Without cadence and courteousness, a pastiche is more likely. Then, there are those who choose to emulate whilst imprinting, adapting the design to congruously fit within its context. Referring to features found in grand Italian palazzos and seaside villas as precedent, Tom Mark Henry conceived Cucina Regina as an exercise in designing a venue within the illustrious Queens Wharf precinct in Brisbane.  

A barrel-vaulted structure and custom spun metal pendant greet guests upon entry and frame the ebullient experience beyond the vestibule. A legion of coloured and textured glass enveloping the shopfront imbues the space in dappled, luminous light.

Discover more: It’s all about the ambience at Superfreak by YSG

The banquettes, renditions of exaggerated lounges, are adorned with mustard cushioning that juxtaposes walnut timber frames and gloss-finish tabletops. Subtle cream tones create a neutral base for an eclectic amalgam of upholstery fabrics, bold hand-painted murals, drapery and decorative lighting. Overlaying a curatorial of art and objects provides an additional layer of whimsical character.

Beyond this, the extensive patterned flooring and grand archways, paired with sourced antique mirrors and metallic accents within the wallpaper, adhere to the grandeur of its locale and nod to the Italian palazzos that inspired the design.

Tom Mark Henry
tommarkhenry.studio

Photography
Cieran Murphy

Next up: A chemist also by Tom Mark Henry