Cafe dreams for Cab...

My dear Sister Caroline (Cab, the eldest one who is moving here near me) has had a dream for a Cafe of her own for some time now. She was planning to have it in the grand building below, that was also going to be the premises my own little shop. We have been working out details of what will be the overall feel of this Restaurant Cafe for a year now, waiting with baited breath to see if it will eventuate here or not. I have the interior completely mapped out in my head and on paper and wanted to share some ideas....

This would be the entrance for Cab's Cafe (my shop is the mirror image) which can also be accessed by double doors to the left (Theatre entrance).

This was taken some time ago...but it doesn't look much different outside yet. It is the original Theatre from the gold rush years when our little town was the biggest in Tasmania. It is being restored to house a scaled down version of a picture theatre, restaurant, shop and office space. I picture twisted pines in tall pots to welcome diners....

Martha Stewart
..and gorgeous white and cafe latte coloured serving pieces all housed in glass covered glass shelving units...


Martha Stewart

...a functional coffee station, that is also pleasing to the eye, with more open shelving. The shelves would be glass though. (I nearly choked when I seen this kitchen as it is pretty much what I had in my sketches). It would also include the name of the Cafe in one of the bigger shelves 'floating' on glass backed with a chocolate colour...


Villa Maison
Coffee would be served on silver trays in chunky white mugs...


Villa Maison

...to tables laid with wicker accessories and crisp white linen...

We both had the idea of a really indulgent and comfortable coffee area, for those who just want a coffee, feeding Mothers, elderly and anyone who just wanted to chill out. I can not think of a better way to do that than on a feather filled Queen Anne Sofa along with a big wide squat coffee table.


Martha Stewart
...there would be a raised bench near the coffee counter for those who want to read the paper and wait for there order to go perched on linen covered stools with chocolate coloured legs. In this space there will also be a small retail space in a warm wood shelving unit and this one below always comes up as the ultimate to display Cab's gorgeous range of organic products...

via Lily G
This just screams vintage and sums up the old building lovely.

via - Lily G
Now I haven't forgot about the kitchen area. As some of it can be seen from the dining area, I think it should be just as beautiful. Although there won't be cupboard doors like this (not practical), there will be a big island for preparing food and a light fixture like this will not only be gorgeous...it is much better than working under some horrid, headache inducing fluorescent light (there will be some just not here). I love the fact that this light fixture is so wide that it can still house the amount of light bulbs needed to create enough light to meet standards and so she doesn't chop off a finger!!! I also think there should be a tile type picture display that can be wiped off for hygiene.

Martha Stewart
This is a similar layout to the island and benches and as she will have a huge walk in freezer, some doors like this would be heaven...but I think it will be glass :(

Martha Stewart
Now after all of the diners have gone, dishes have been placed through the washer, wouldn't it be nice to wipe down your counters and wash your hands of the night in a beautiful Belfast Sink like this?....Now let's hope it all happens so I can bring it to life!

Ness xx