Creating an inner world : WHAT COLOUR CAN DO FOR INTERIORS

The colour palette for Paper Bird (a modern Korean) restaurant in Potts Point, created a kind of inner world.  Unlike many Lymesmith projects, the colours are not referencing the local environment in any way.  The opportunity offered by the semi-underground space allowed us to create a self contained interior, with a unique atmosphere.

An existing high quality fit (of the former Bourke Street Bakery) was skilfully reworked by Phillip Arnold of Plus Minus Design. I assisted with the colour palette and refined the colour idea that Phillip had already embarked upon – using his reference point of Korean Dancheong Temple Painting. The reference is understated, but one colour, an ambiguous blue-green, unmistakably evokes the past.

However, that is not the most important aspect of the colours in this space.  The proportions of the room were actually quite unpleasant; a long narrow space, with a low ceiling, heavy beams and bulkheads, no outlook and very limited natural light.

Colour in this project was crucial in improving the proportions of the space and in complementing more special materials – in particular the brass detailing, smoky mirrors, and the black steel and concrete bar.  

My brief started with a request to refine one particular shade of green, I expanded on that to develop a suite of 4 greens; from an almost black green, to pale celadon, in order to improve the spatial qualities of the space. I wanted to use colour to literally camouflage some aspects, to layer and juxtapose others, to create three different zones within the one long space. The existing beige colour scheme was quite bland, and lacked the depth or drama needed for a night-time venue.

The low ceiling was made to ‘disappear’ by painting it a very deep greenish black. Contrary to what most people think, dark ceilings create a sense of space because our brains process them as voids or shadows - they literally dematerialise because our brains give us a message that there is ‘nothing to see here’! A lower section of ceiling in the centre of the room is clad with off white battens. This contrast between the black and white ceilings creates interest and establishes three distinct zones in the restaurant. In the central zone, the green on the walls is deeper shade, again to differentiate it from the lighter celadon at the front bar area, and the more intimate dining space at the back. The greens are all complimented and ‘warmed up’ by the lovely brass detailing and deep brown Thonet furniture.

In keeping with the architects philosophy of ‘Do as Little As Possible, and as Much as Necessary’, the refurbishment of the space was done with a light touch, most of the original fit-out was kept and reworked. So the primary tool for transforming the space from casual bakery to moody bar/restaurant was done with a radical colour makeover.

Since the Paper Bird project in 2017 I have continued to collaborate with Phillip on a further 5 projects. Usually they start with a preliminary but strong direction from Phillip, which I then explore, challenge and refine.  Our ongoing conversations push us both to develop new ways of using and understanding colour’s potential in architecture. Two residential projects, with colour loving clients, are currently under construction and I can’t wait to share them later this year.

I recommend watching Phillip Arnold present his fabulous and thoughtful work (including the Paper Bird project), in a talk he gave for The Architect’s Bookshop during the long Covid lockdown. It’s on Youtube. He goes into lots of detail explaining Paper Bird, and describes working with Lymesmith from about the 27 minute mark.

“Sonia prepared this wonderful scheme; rather than using one green everywhere she actually proposed 4 greens. But the main green that she used, I actually compared it to my original sample and they looked very similar except that mine looked terrible, and hers looked wonderful. It was such a good experience working with Sonia. I think that she made the space something really special.”

BEFORE: Bakery fitout. The concrete bar, lighting and basic layout were retained.

AFTER: Paper Bird bar and entry zone.

BEFORE: Bakery eating area. The banquet seating, mirrors and lighting were retained.

AFTER: Paper Bird kitchen and dining zone.