Nick and Nora's - Melbourne

DESCRIPTION:

Nick and Nora’s is the sister venue of the Sydney location that we designed a couple of years back. The concept is consistent between venues however like any job, the space is unique and therefore cannot be a copy paste job. We pay special attention to the details and the zones of the tenancy to create a truly bespoke interior.

We were briefed with a film, and that’s where it all started. Nick and Nora’s was based around W.S Van Dyke’s 1934 film ‘The Thin Mans’ main protagonists, aptly named Nick and Nora. Enshrining ourselves in film noir and an era of opulence between the two world wars, we were tasked to create a space that would feel like you stepped into the world of our crime fiction heroes. It was to be a cocktail bar that borders on art deco set design.

The result is a space that nods to 1920’s hotel luxe, with at the same time adapting it to contemporary design. Brass detailing, Verde stone and walnut paneling builds the space whereas traditional accents like tiffany lighting and fluted glass helps create the scene. Hand made stained glass wall sconces were shipped from France to exude authenticity and each texture and material was carefully considered as a genuine hallmark of the era. All of the velvet upholstery has been vertically channel tufted and furniture supplied by James Richardson have been matched with the same fabrics.

Located within the luxurious new precinct at 80 Collins Street, the space oozes luxury. From the moment you walk up the entry stairwell the bespoke leadlight ceiling greets you with a sense of grandeur that sets the scene for what is to come. Two large greyhound statues guard the top of the stairs as you are greeted by the host standing behind the green marble host station.  The main attraction of Nick and Nora’s is the impressive bar that runs the length of the venue. A generous selection of liquor sits proudly on the illuminated bar as a backdrop to the bold green marble top and paneling. Tiffany lighting, brass details and jewel toned fabrics all add to the opulence and can be perceived as accessories to what is one finely dressed space. In order to create an authentic representation of the golden age of film, motif wallpapers and fabrics were carefully selected to replicate designs often found in interiors from the 1920s.

We were also mindful when selecting appropriate furniture for the space. Furniture designed during this period focused on a minimalist approach with less hand carved ornamentation and more smooth curved lives inspired by architecture and cruise liners. Our custom curved banquette seating is a perfect example of this design style with smooth curves and the signature crushed velvet. 

All details considered, Nick and Nora aims to make you feel like you’ve really stepped onto a movie set but at the same time strives for a high level of authenticity.  

CHALLENGES:

The triangular shape of the site proved to be difficult when creating multiple intimate seating nooks whilst retaining all sight lines to the hero bar. Not only was the shape of the site difficult to create these nooks, the ceilings were incredibly low therefore there was a thin line between creating an intimate speakeasy vibe and feeling claustrophobic. Creating an authentic vintage space within a new build has its challenges however Studio Y carefully curated the perfect pieces for an authentic space.

SUSTAINABILITY 

Timber is a large part of our fitout for Nick and Nora. From joinery to wall cladding our timbers were sourced from local distributors such as ForestOne and Jackaroo Timbers who both have a strong sustainable approach to sourcing timber and support ethical forest management.