The Penny Royal reflects a lasting interest in the small cafe as an extension of the house. And like the private spaces we inhabit, it is an amalgam of character and style. Seemingly of both the past and the present, it becomes a kind of Tardis. The teak pendant lamp is oversized, Victorian timber wall mouldings are given a modern twist and the coffee is served on tables with plastic “sandstone” bases. The whole interior is washed in a gloss heritage green common to the local Mosman houses but reinterpreted here in extra sheen for a striking effect. The Penny Royal combines the tactics of the stage set and the casualness of the street: harmony is achieved through strong direction while the world outside is allowed in via chairs and tables that claim additional, uncontrolled space. A welcoming intimacy reminds us that The Penny Royal is a former garage and that means we’re almost home.
Credits
- Project
- The Penny Royal
- Design practice
- Arthur Koutoulas Design Consultants
Surry Hills, Sydney, NSW, Australia
- Project Team
- Arthur Koutoulas
- Site Details
-
Location
Shop 2, 563 Military Road,
Mosman,
Sydney,
NSW,
Australia
- Project Details
-
Status
Built
Category Hospitality, Interiors
Type Restaurants
Source
Report
Published online: 1 Mar 2010
Images:
Paul Gosney
Issue
Artichoke, March 2010