The redesign of a well-loved, beachside eatery just south of sunny Sydney was taken on board by Sibella Court of The Society Inc. The result is a candy-coloured cafe which has quickly become a favoured hangout of its sand-strewn customers.
Old Joe's, says designer Sibella Court, was 'named after the old milk bar that everyone from the area remembers, covered in old advertising and run by Joe'. This new version, a casual cafe and eatery, is located directly across the road from the beach, and the design revolves around the idea of bringing the outside in. The aim was to create a bright, relaxed place to eat and hang out, 'straight from the beach, sand on your feet kinda feel,' says Court.
The outdoorsy atmosphere is helped along by the recycled wooden floor, which mimics the beach boardwalk. Wooden picnic tables painted in pastel blue, and lampshades made from deckchair-stripe fabrics, continue the beachy references.
Drawing on the beach culture she grew up with in the 1970s, as well as on her research into local social history and surf culture, the designer discovered the Old Joe's milk bar cropped up time and time again in the stories associated with the Cronulla area of Sydney. This inspired her to use elements and finishes associated with milk bars in the interior, such as terrazzo bartops, soft sorbet colours, striped awnings and hand-painted signage.
'I worked with a talented team of builders, sign writers, blacksmiths, furniture makers, dyers and print makers to create a detailed space that reveals both the history and legacy of Cronulla and universal seaside culture,' she continues. Indeed, the many custom elements add to the idiosyncratic impression made by this bright, airy space, which has all the freshness of a sea breeze.
----------------------
This sunny space is featured in our forthcoming book Night Fever 4 along with lots of other great hospitality venues. We still have some last-minute space for awe-inspiring bar/cafe/hotel projects (for the 'Drink' and 'Sleep' chapters). Please see here to find out how to contribute your project for consideration by the books team, for this or other ongoing titles.
