Paris is Jason McLaren Jones favourite 'go to' city when looking for inspiration for a new cafe (he's delivered quite a few over the past 8 years). Entrecote on Domain Road South Yarra captures the euro mood perfectly. I love the simple signage directive showing the way to take away pastries and and coffee ... well deserved once you're circled the Tan.
entrecote.com.au @entrecotemelbourne #simplyfrench #melbournecafes
From a visual perspective this mighty size mural is the only interesting element of yet another, 'housing commission' style, high rise residential 'development'. Sadly, this form of 'architecture' continues to proliferate, and blight the landscape, around the country. Whilst I am a strong supporter of urban density and living close to public transport and facilities, can't we do it better?
This tower is soon to be completed. I can't wait to see yet another boring block of glass balconies displaying residents washing on fold up racks, BBQs, bicycles and anything else that can go 'outside' be pushed up against the glass and further downgrade the visual appeal of the neighbourhood. Where is the interesting form, detail, screening and vertical greenery? Is this the best a 'Planning Approval Department' can do?
Large scale artwork is the forte of Guido Van Helten. You can find this impressive piece in Woolloongabba, Brisbane
www.facebook.com/guidovanheltenART @podfinds #guidovanhelten #giantmural #awesomeartwork
Images 2, 3 and 4 by Cheri Desailly Photography, Brisbane. www.cheridesailly.com
Amy Chanta came to Australia with $300 in her pocket and the dream of a better life for her 2 small children. Fast forward around 30 years and her story is the epitome of 'migrant makes good' achieved through hard work, persistence and serving up damn good Thai food.
I first stumbled across Amy's food in her Haymarket Chat Thai cafe which, at the time, caught my eye for a variety of reasons whilst wandering through Sydney's Chinatown ... a queue on the street waiting for a table, a modern yellow logo on the shop front, an open kitchen with well presented staff cooking fresh food to order. It was a stand out from the tired, traditional, slightly jaded and faded outlets in the neighbourhood.
Boon Cafe is her most recent venture albeit around 12 months old. It combines Asian grocery with a cafe that offers a Thai twist on 'all day cafe' fare. For readers who know Sourced Grocer in Brisbane, Boon Cafe is pretty much the Thai/Asian version when it comes to the format.
I've visited plenty of Asian grocery shops around the country but have not seen anything like Boon with its 'now' design and cafe inclusion. There is a cool room abundant with fresh Asian herbs, fruits and vegetables ... dragonfruit, banana blossom, tiny Thai eggplant, fresh ginger and tumeric, pre-packed fresh ingredients to make your own Tom Yum soup etc. If you're not with me, it's sort of the equivalent of a cheese room in a European style deli if you like.
Open 7am to midnight, my experience was an early evening casual bite after a working day but I'm curious to find out more, so Boon is on my list for breakfast or lunch next time I'm in Sydney as there is plenty on the Thai inspired "modern cafe" hybrid menu that seems worthy of a tasting trip.
#PODfinds @boon_cafe #booncafe #jarernthaigrocer
Jarern Thai Asian Grocer and Boon Cafe, 425 Pitt Street, Sydney
I couldn't help but think this rather striking hoarding for a Sumo Salad Green Label store, currently under construction in The Galeries, is tapping into the Colouring Books for Adults craze that took off like a rocket last year. I have no idea if this is Sumo's inspiration or not, either way I like it!
@SumoSalad @thegaleries 500 George Street Sydney #GreenLabel #tasteofsumo #PODfinds
Love the simplicity of Kate Spade's latest window for Valentines Day. The over scaled silver bows headpiece caught my eye as I walked by yesterday.
@katespade as seen @westfieldsyd #katespade #WestfieldSydney #PODfinds
This entry statement is so cute and inviting I just want to knock on the door and and see what's inside. How about you?
You can find this craft studio in the increasingly cool Austin, Texas, USA. #PODfinds Image via their Instagram @thepapercraftpantry
A couple of big hearted Brisbane lads have just been named Young Australian's of the Year for their free mobile laundry service for the homeless.
Freshly laundered clothes and linen delivered with true Aussie spirit made me think of another pair of Brisbane friends, Susie Everingham + Liz Watson.
Whilst Orange Sky Laundry is a charity, and a completely different kettle of fish to these young home wares designers, I thought they deserved a shout out on our National Day for their patriotic product range. Beautiful, simple screen printed tea towels and stationery featuring prawns, pineapples and Aussie paddock icons sit along side bush scented soaps and blackboards that make you smile. Made in Brisbane, Everingham + Watson's pared-back lifestyle products should make us want to advance their Australia fare.
Australians all let us rejoice for the selflessness of Orange Sky Laundry and the style of Everingham + Watson. Images with thanks via E+W web site.
#PODfinds
www.everinghamandwatson.com
@everinghamandwatson
www.orangeskylaundry.com.au
@OSLaundryAU
Regular readers will know I have a hankering for ceramic drawings (or hand drawn ceramics) having featured the work of UK ceramicist, Katharine Morling, in a previous post. The domestic simplicity of Swedish artist Marianne Hallberg's object topic has a charm all of its own. I would love a brief that allowed me to use her work in a cafe design (oh for a budget that includes an artist!). The tea towel is my favourite piece.
#PODfinds
Images via mariannehallberg.se & themudbucket.blogspot.com.au.
The new look Flawless Flowers makes coming up with a design concept look as easy as falling off a log.
Located in what is fundamentally a very basic tin shed, the fit out is rustic, raw and relevant. Rough hewn logs of all sizes and a back drop of black cool room is about it. The product does 99% of the work.
You can find this visual floral feast at Melbourne's Prahran Market ... you can't miss it!
#PODfinds
@flawlessflowersprahranmarket #flawlessflowers www.prahranmarket.com.au www.flawlessflowers.com.au
