Our Favourite Things from 2019

Favourite Hotels

Paramount House Hotel by Breathe Architecture
An 80-year-old warehouse totally transformed. Drink on arrival, recreational rooftop club, terrazzo tiled bathrooms and Japanese-style timber baths … the Paramount can do no wrong. Plus it’s in one of the best locations in Sydney – tick, tick tick!

Photography: Kat Lu

The Calile Hotel by Richards & Spence
A true urban oasis. The attention to detail in every inch of the hotel is impeccable. A complete game-changer for Brisbane.  Incredible service and amazing food at the hotel’s restaurant, Hellenika which makes “the best spanakopita I’ve ever had” according to Paul Hecker from Hecker Guthrie.

Photography: Sourced from The Calile Hotel

Jackalope Hotels by Carr Design
Ultimate luxury on the Mornington Peninsula – with breathtaking views of winery, casual vibe and delicious food and wine at Rare Hare – the hotel’s restaurant.  While you’re in the area you must check out Many Little restaurant in Red Hill – yum!

Photography: Sharyn Cairns

Favourite Projects

Ovolo the Valley – Woods Bagot
Located in Brisbane’s iconic Fortitude Valley, the former Emporium Hotel has been completely transformed into the Ovolo by Woods Bagot. The vibrant, eclectic new hotel draws inspiration from the likes of David Bowie. It’s inside the rock star suites you can find our Caruso cabinet by Miniforms – sitting pretty and ready to play Ziggy Stardust.

Photography: Dion Robeson

Future Future – Olaver Architecture
Future Future is a contemporary restaurant in Richmond, Victoria that takes cues from Japanese culture in its architecture and menu. The restaurant also happened to be the location of our JRF end of year celebration.  Featuring our TON Chair 18’s, Olaver Architecture used the wabi-sabi design approach of layering old and new styles and materials.

Photography: Sourced from Future Future

Via Porta – Studio Esteta
Refined, yet rich in detail, Via Porta, winner of Best Café Design in this years’ Eat Drink Design Award’s, pays homage to the Italian heritage of its owners. Designed by Studio Esteta, the café is unique, clever and versatile, with classic bentwood furniture featuring our TON Chair 18 and Chair 14.

Photography: Sean Fennessy

Favourite Exhibitions

Rain Room by Random International
The hype certainly lived up to the expectation. As part of our Melbourne teams’ monthly get together, we ventured to St Kilda to experience the International art sensation, Rain Room. The overall experience, a sensory overload and incredibly meditative, despite the fact some of us did get very, very wet. Hot tip: listen to instructions and do not run.

Photography: Our team

Fiona Lynch Workshop
Originally part of Melbourne Design Week 2019, Fiona Lynch launched their Workshop – a curatorial showcase of experimental design, fine art and objects from leading Australian and international artists and designers. Now a permanent gallery, the space is open on Thursdays from 11am-4pm – be warned though, you may want to buy everything.

Photography: Sourced from Fiona Lynch

Favourite Restaurants

Arc Dining – Howard Smith Wharves, QLD
Designed by Anna Spiro

Set on the edge of the Brisbane River with stunning views of Brisbane City, ARC Dining features a sophisticated, modern concept inspired by art and culture. We highly recommend the Pumpkin & Cavolo Nero Rotolo with pinenuts – delicious!

Photography: Kara Hynes and Andy McPherson

Cho Cho San – Potts Point, NSW
Designed by George Livissianis

Based on the rich eating and drinking culture of Japan, Cho Cho San is a Tokyo Izakaya- re-imagined. With a focus on quality produce and ingredients modern takes on Japanese classics. The stuffed calamari, yuzukosho and the crab fried rice are must-haves!

Photography: Sourced from Cho Cho San

Rosa’s Canteen – Melbourne, VIC
Designed by Ha

Overlooking the Supreme Court of Victoria, the restaurant is situated within the John Wardle Architect’s design for 500 Bourke Street. You can’t beat their in-house handmade pasta – all made with love by Rosa herself.

Photography: Kristoffer Paulsen

Favourite Books

Three Women by Lisa Taddeo – Almost a decade in the making, this non-fiction work of incredible insight into the world of three fascinating women. A brilliant read.

Anything by Brene Brown – We’ve been embracing our vulnerability this year!

Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams by Matthew Walker, PhD – The importance of sleep is paramount to a happy life – need we say more?!