Visual concepts

'J' came over yesterday and we spent a couple of hours talking through the interior design. He's put together a kind of mood board, with pictures clipped from magazines, samples, fabrics and so on. His initial assemblage is terrific, a good mix of colour and texture. We did mess with some blue - strong cobalt, Mediterranean. But it became quickly obvious it doesn't work. Especially in winter the blue will be too cold.

But what was really kicking arse was black/brown timber, lime greens, some purple. Cool, contemporary, with elements of coastal. I'm also quite partial to the odd wicker lampshade.

Looking at the magazine clippings it struck me how important the idea of a large timber communal eating table is. Cafe #1 won't have the space, but #2 should have the acreage. Mix that up with a small couch/coffee table area, and half a dozen small tables and chairs, and maybe a wall bench with bar stools.

'J' as always full of innovative ideas - for example, he's heard me banging on about storage (eg, you can never have enough storage), and his suggestion is the couch area can be built as wall couches, lift the couch to up and reveal storage below. Just like on boats and in caravans. Perfect for long term bulk hiding of non-perishables.

He's now working on some simple visual concept drawings, not particularly specific to either of the two premises we're hot on, but rather an amalgam. This will give us something to add into the power point presentation for the bank. Should be able to get that off to the bank manager on Monday. It's difficult to commence any serious negotiations on the premises until we know the money's lined up.

Talking to 'J' and I had something of a mind flash about how to deal with the ceiling space at cafe #2. It's a high bare concrete ceiling. I reckon we should do a lighting grid - 2inch pipe grid, just like we used to use back in my theatre days. Our favourite Melbourne restaurant Circa uses something similar. It's incredibly flexible, you just get a bunch of powerpoints at each corner, then hang all your lighting gear from the grid, using extension leads wrapped along the pipe. If you want to move a light, it's easy. Spray paint the whole thing the same colour as the ceiling paint and it'll meld in visually.

Managed to find a sort of an image that shows a lighting grid. See the black 2inch pipe grid fastened to the ceiling? Then the lights and cables hang from the grid.



And it's cheap - the pipe is low cost, you stick it together with scaffolding clamps. Major item is ensuring the pipe grid is securely fastened to the ceiling and the walls. Although in reality it won't have much weight load compared to a professional theatre environment.

Just checked the Circa web site, they have a private function room with a great limey green wall couch. Must show J.