Westfield Sydney opens doors

Here's a snapshot of the visual feast that is Westfield Sydney. Stage 1 now open and plenty more to come. Glossy finishes, textural lighting, urban attitude and big brands abound.

Moo Moo Wine Bar & Grill up for another award

Moo Moo in Brisbane CBD has been shortlisted for the IDEA10 Interior Design Excellence Awards in the hospitality design category. 


An iconic landmark on the river in Brisbane’s CBD, this two-storey, colonnaded structure became the Port Office in 1888. Originally housing the Department of Harbours and Marine, the building has found a new lease of life as the Moo Moo Wine Bar + Grill; a slick, up-market restaurant within the Stamford Plaza Hotel. Design Clarity partnered with Global Shopfitters and the Moo Moo directors to realise a unique vision for the new fl agship Moo Moo restaurant in this impressive heritage listed site.

Evolve awards : Designer rugs

The top 25 finalists have just been announced. 


Rebecca Boland's Faux Hide is our rug of choice. 
If you're thinking of voting in the people's choice award you can win $1000 in prizes - email: evolve@designerrugs.com.au 

Retail design: smoke & mirror

Baku QVB recently re-opened its doors after a full fitout transformation in this awkward 12M x 2M deep site on the highly trafficked lower ground floor. Creating an illusion of space was key to making the new design work for Baku; playing tricks with mirror, introducing a new reflective materials palette and exercising restraint with receding black floors and ceiling. 

Photography credit: Claudio Mantovani 2010

Industrial Antiques

Dock 1 industrial antiques is a treasure trove of character finds. Dock 1 has been trading for years in three sites across Sydney. The old Newtown retail warehouse is now home to Berkelouw Bookstore & café. A fantastic renovation and slick example of adaptive re-use. The Marrickville Dock 1 has since closed up shop, but the Camperdown site is certainly worth a visit if you don't mind getting in amongst a bit of dust on the workshop floor. Pre-loved furniture, old timbers, fittings, turned legs, blocks, church pews and so much more. The creative possibilities are endless.

Doug up on Bourke in Sydney's Bourke St  is another must-visit destination if you're looking for something old, familiar, or just out of the ordinary. Offering up a vast display of fascinating stuff  including street signs, bus rolls, antique medicinal bottles and stamped crates to carry your wares home in. They've taken the legwork out of sourcing and obviously spent a lifetime trawling around country towns to come up with such an impressive selection of memorabilia.